The Legacy of Mann vs Machine
Snow solemnly fell on the frozen lands of Coldfront. Lucas looked at his watch as he leaned against the wall of a log cabin. Around him, he saw the telltale three letters on the signs—BLU—that reminded him that he wasn't welcome around these parts. But times were changing and the world was going through a volatile crisis. Cooperation was inevitable.
The work that Gray Mann had begun had only grown in scale since the last time he was sent to Hell. Someone had decided to continue his work, and attacks had been reported in several locations. The automatons that soldiers were facing were more advanced. One could almost call them intelligent. They blended perfectly among humans, and sleeper agents would often strike at critical military infrastructure, causing global chaos. It didn't take long for the world governments to petition the aid of mercenaries to bolster their security, and so RED and BLU continued to thrive.
Yet, this wasn't Lucas's life anymore. At least, not until now. He had scarcely begun to enjoy a well-deserved retirement before he was called back to serve. 'One last favor', they claimed. One too many. But Lucas owed them. He'd still be in jail if it wasn't for his benefactors. So he picked up his diamondback and prepared for one last mission.
Lucas typically worked alone since he laid down the mantle of commander after the War against the machines, but not this time. It was a dangerous mission, and the mercenary was offered some help. So he came back to his home base and lurked near the enemy's lodgings, waiting for her... The woman with sharp blue eyes that seemed to know you better than yourself.
Her beautiful black hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her perfect features. And when her lips whispered your name... It was already too late. This, he knew well from this game of cat and mouse they played on opposite sides of the same battlefield, time and again. Whispers that called out to him from time to time when he reminisced on the pleasant memories they shared when dusk settled on the battlefield and they chatted the night away under the starry skies.
As he healed from his trauma, he realized how meaningful these small moments of reprieve were to him. They were like a sanctuary from this eternal, meaningless war he'd waged his whole life. Against his childhood trauma. Against BLU. Against the machines. Against God. Against every part of himself he resented when his inner hound took control and turned him into a monster.
Lucas was a different man than Madilin had known back then. A better man, to be sure. He wondered how much she'd grown too, after all these years. There was one thing he was certain of, however. If there was one person he could trust as an ally in this dangerous mission of espionage, it was his dear friend Maddy.
Lucas opened his pocket watch and flicked it open. He looked at the framed portrait of his adopted daughter Zoe and smiled before glancing at the time. If Ms. Pauling was as diligent as usual, his old friend should arrive soon.
