War and MG Chap 18

“What?! How could she do that?”

 

“Shh! Keep your voice down, Viole,” whispered Reia as harshly as she could manage.

 

“Er, sorry… but still, how could they sell us out like that? What about Marc? What’s going to happen to him? The rest of the them?”

 

What indeed, Serlov thought, closing her eyes for a moment. While she knew a succubus could control the amount of life force siphoned from someone during sex, she had little doubt the one called Amelia would simply drain the offerings to death.

 

Taking a breath, Serlov’s gaze met the eyes of the three women looking at her. Worry was clear on everyone’s face – even the normally stoic Reia.

 

“I have no idea when the succubus is going to… open her gifts, so the sooner we act the better. On my way here I passed a hallway that had guards posted around it. Seeing as how I didn’t see any others standing around, I figure that’s where all the men are being held.

 

Reia chewed on her lip. “How are we going to get out of here without raising an alarm?”

 

“Since I can come and go as I wish, we should probably use the window of opportunity when I go to leave this room,” Serlov said as she glanced towards the door.

 

During Serlov’s explanation of what was going on, Yvonne had been remarkably quiet – until now. With a mighty snort she cracked her knuckles and smashed her clawed fists together in front of her chest. “I’ll do whatever it takes!”

 

The brazen display from the usually sedate and happy wurm made Reia and Viole smirk; even Serlov allowed herself a momentary grin.

 

“So,” Reia began, “You get them to open the door, lash out or something when they’re off guard, then we swoop in – hopefully before you get shot?”

 

Serlov nodded. “That’s the gist of it. Not much we can do in this situation.”

 

She almost wished Emrald had been captured along with everyone else. Her magic would’ve been most useful here, though who knows if she wouldn’t be afforded ‘special’ treatment due to her relation to Thayla.

 

Glancing again at the door, a slight addition to her plan formed in her mind. Eying the size of three other women here, she thought Viole would be able to hide behind the door. It’d allow someone else to be fairly close; no doubt the guard that opened the door would make the others stand near or against the far wall.

 

There was also the question if the guard would notice the missing wolf-woman. Options were limited; it was better than nothing, she decided.

 

“This is going to be extremely dangerous. If you three are willing to take the risk we’ll go ahead with it. Otherwise, I’ll try to figure out something later.”

 

Unsurprisingly, the three soldiers under her command responded their agreement in an instant, almost in unison. .Serlov shook her head and smiled. Were they doing it simply to escape, or to rush to the aid of their… boyfriends. The word tumbled awkwardly in her mind, lingering in her coconsciousness longer than she’d have expected. Maybe she’d have to try acquiring one for herself in the future, she thought with an odd smile before driving the thought from her mind and quashing her grin.

 

“Okay, then,” Serlov started, “Viole, I want you behind the door for when it opens. You’re pretty quick, and hopefully they won’t notice you’re missing right away. When I act, I’ll need you to support me while we wait for Reia and Yvonne to rush in. It’s simple and stupid, but it’s about all I can come up with in short order.”

 

The trio nodded their approval.

 

“Reia and Yvonne, I want you two to start off as close to me as possible when I go to leave. The guard is probably going to tell you to back off, so just listen to her until she feels safe enough to let me through. Hopefully seeing you two comply with her will put her a bit more at ease.”

 

After another round of agreements, Serlov began slithering towards the door.

 

The minotaur and wurm followed close behind, and the wolf scampered over to the door’s shadow.

 

Serlov paused for a moment before knocking on the door, considering the consequences of what she was about to do again. She’d made the decision to attempt a breakout as soon as she’d learned that Thayla offered up her men – her soldiers, to the succubus.

 

Though not officially in the chain of command, military personnel were expected to defer to Representatives in non-combat situations. There was a very real possibility she could be charged with insubordination – or worse, if Thayla presented herself and had to be dealt with. A tribunal probably wouldn’t charge her when she was acting in the best interests of her troops, especially when they were kidnapped and offered up as sacrifices. But, they could be sticklers for protocol and adhering to the letter of the law, and politics would be a powerful force in the aftermath of all this.

 

It took her only a scant second to reach a conclusion. Lives were more important than her career.

 

She knocked on the door.

 

The lock clacked, and the door swung partially open. A guard stuck her head in. “What, are you done in there?”

 

“Yes, for the time being,” Serlov responded.

 

This guard – a powerful looking sphinx – would most likely the most difficult to deal with. Even should the automatic rifle slung over her shoulder be taken out of action, she still possessed powerful curse-magic that could easily disable one or two people if she had time to perform any incantations. She’d have to be the priority target. How fortuitous she would be the one to open the door.

 

The sphinx glanced around the room, then narrowed her vision settled on Reia and Yvonne. “You two, against the wall over there. And where’s the third? The wolf?”

 

Viole’s voice called out from behind the door. “Ah, sorry, call of nature…”

 

Serlov bit her lip. They had used a bucket for a toilet, but would the guard remember which corner they put it in?

 

Grunting, the sphinx seemed satisfied with the response, then began to open the door all the way once the other two were against the wall.

 

There were two other guards present in the hallway - a lithe lizardwoman and a stocky oni. The lizardwoman had been the same one that escorted her from Thayla’s room.

 

As Serlov slithered forward, a most opportune moment presented itself as the pair crossed into the hallway. The sphinx had turned around instead of backing up to keep her eye on the lamia. An opportunity born of those not accustomed to the boring routine of guard duty.

 

Her powerful tail lashed out at the same moment she let out a shout. As Serlov’s muscular snake-half slammed the unaware sphinx to the ground, Viole had dashed from behind the door in a low crouch, practically on all fours.

 

Vaulting over the fallen sphinx, the wolf gathered the attention of the remaining two guards as she bore down upon them. They made to draw their weapons, but Viole dashed across the gap before they could squeeze the triggers.

 

Arms outstretched, she tackled the lizardwoman, throwing the pair to the ground in a tangled heap.

 

Rifle pointed at the two, the oni hesitated to fire, instead watching as the wolf and lizard fought for control of the rifle that clattered to the ground.

 

Taking her eyes off the doorway had been a mistake, as while she focused on the wolf and her comrade, Reia had managed to sprint forward, blowing past Serlov and out into the hallway, straight towards the single-horned woman.

 

The oni caught movement out of the corner of her eye, but it was too late – she only caught a glimpse of a massive fist as it smashed heavily into the side of her head, spinning her around and dropping her to the ground. A pained yelp echoed through the hall, snapping Reia and Serlov’s attention to the scuffle that had been taking place on the floor.

 

Viole was clutching her stomach, curled up and immobile.

 

The lizardwoman had rolled into a crouch away from everyone, and began to stand up, bloody knife held in her claw. Letting out an angry growl, Reia took a heavy, power stride towards the remaining opponent. Reptillian eyes caught her movement, and the guard dropped to a knee, switching her grip on the knife in preparation for the onrushing minotaur. Reia saw the knife poised to lash out at her legs, but there was no chance she could stop herself in time.

 

In a purple flash, something lashed out and slammed the lizardwoman’s claw into the ground, wringing the knife from her grasp. The tip of a tail rested momentarily on her arm before it was withdrawn with the same speed with which it had struck.

 

She glared harshly at Serlov. Until Reia brought her knee square into her cheek.

 

The guard’s eyes glazed as the bones in her face fractured from the impact, then closed as her body snapped backwards onto the floor. The minotaur’s momentum carried her forward some distance, the awkward attack causing her to tumble to the ground and slide across the linoleum.

 

Serlov noticed movement in her peripheral; the oni was attempting to stand, staggering on unsteady legs. Whipping out again, she bowled the oni over by sweeping her legs out from underneath her. Her head cracked harshly against the ground, and then she lay still.

 

She probably wouldn’t be waking up any time soon.

 

With the lizard and oni dispatched, Serlov turned about.

 

The sphinx was glaring contemptuously at her and Yvonee, firmly within the wurm’s coils. Not nearly as fast as the minotaur, she’d taken it upon herself to constrict the sphinx so that Serlov could freely aid Reia.

 

Yvonne’s attention was glued to Viole as she continued to roll and shudder on the floor, holding her mid-section tight as blood began to pool around her, streaking the floor red as she squirmed. Turning to face the sphinx, Yvonne wrapped her claws around the lionwoman’s shoulders as Reia and Serlov both rushed to the fallen wolf.

 

“Medical supplies! Where are your medical supplies?!” The wurm demanded, her eyes flashing with anger.

 

The sphinx simply snorted.

 

Reia knelt down besides Viole, rolling her onto her back. The wolf’s eyes opened, and a bloody paw shot up to hold onto the minotaur’s arm. “I’m… I’m sorry…” she whispered harshly, keeping her other paw on the wound. “She got me…”

 

“You don’t have shit to be sorry for,” she replied as calmly as she could, bringing the wolf’s knees up.

 

Serlov approached with a shirt she stripped off the fallen oni. “Rip it in half, top and bottom,” she said as she tossed the garment to Reia.

 

Lowering herself on the other side of the wolf, she lifted Viole’s paw from the wound, then undid her uniform to completely expose the damage. Looked like a clean wound, and nothing was hanging out, though it was bleeding fiercely.

 

“Ball up the bottom half, and we’ll use the sleeves to tie it in place,” she said, looking up at Reia. Turning to Viole, she laid a hand atop the wolf’s paw. “This is going to be one shitty bandage, and it’s probably going to hurt like hell. Just bear with it, okay?”

 

“Hah, okay Colonel,” Viole gasped.

 

Reia placed the wadded up section of cloth against the wound, then lifted the small of her back just enough to slip the sleeve of the tattered uniform underneath. Serlov picked up the end, handing it over to the minotaur. Tying over the make-shift bandage, she slowly drew it tighter and tighter, wincing as Viole cried out in pain.

 

While they had been tending to Viole’s wound, Yvonne had kept up her demand of the sphinx, increasing the tightness of her coils bit by bit, choking the air from the guard. “Where. Are. Your. Bandages?” She hissed, her face inches from the sphinx’.

 

The sphinx gasped in short bursts, barely able to breath in at all. Her face was becoming increasingly pale, and her eyes were beginning to fade out.

 

“Yvonne! Are you trying to kill her?!” Serlov shouted, slithering over to the wurm.

 

Yvonne narrowed her eyes momentarily as she stared angrily at the sphinx before she obeyed and loosened her binding.

 

Somewhat freed from her constrictive grasp, the sphinx began gasping and coughing as air was finally allowed to into her lungs.

 

Serlov approached slowly, purposefully, until her face was very near the sphinx’. “My soldier here is going to die,” she began, keeping her voice even and calm. “We have left you all alive. Will you not extend us a similar courtesy? I’ve no wish for anyone to die this day.”

 

The sphinx focused on the lamia as she spoke, then glanced at her fallen allies. They were alive, though not in the best of shape. Her amber eyes then lingered on the bloody wolf, her paw clinging tightly to the minotaur as she took labored breaths.

 

“A bandage and a vial of morphine are not going to save her,” she said in a hoarse voice, cringing as she spoke.

 

Serlov’s expression clouded. “Yes, I am aware she will need a doctor. Unless you are willing to provide one, I will settle for whatever aid is available – even a wound sealant would be a boon.”

 

Shifting within the Yvonne’s grasp, the sphinx met Serlov’s stare for a few seconds. “…We have a few medical kits in our vehicles outside, but no medics. Or doctors.”

 

The building had to have some sort of area with first-aid supplies, but they likely wouldn’t be sufficient to deal with a wound as severe as Viole’s. Serlov had no choice, really, she’d need to get to their trucks and hope the kits had what she needed.

 

Serlov cursed silently as other questions percolated in her mind. “By the way, where are we?”

 

Averting her eyes, the sphinx remained quiet, until a gentle squeeze from Yvonne provided the necessary motivation. “One… one of the UF party offices… in Finzbour,” she coughed out.

 

Gears in Serlov’s mind began to turn. They weren’t far from the city that housed the portal to the human world – along with the garrison stationed there. It’d be about a 45 minute drive, if they could steal a truck. Of course, the question was if Viole could make it that long. Gut wounds could be fatal in a few minutes or they could survive for hours. She had no idea how severe the injury was, though Viole was still lucid; that probably meant an artery or large vein hadn’t been severed.

 

No matter what, however ,time was ticking for the wolf. They also needed to get to the men quickly, lest the succubus consume them. Was it possible to save the men and ensure Viole made it to a doctor?

 

“…If we, or you, called an ambulance, would you allow them to transport her to a hospital for treatment?”

 

The sphinx looked down, and shrugged as best as she was able. “I don’t know. Anything I could say or agree to wouldn’t mean anything. I’m not in command here.”

 

“Then who is?” Serlov asked, crossing her arms.

 

“Representative Dirz is, technically. Though Lieutenant Lykone is acting commander of those stationed here.”

 

“Who’s Lykone?”

 

“A Jinko, if that’s what you’re asking. And I’m not sure where she would be at, to answer your next question.”

 

Smart sphinx, Serlov thought.

 

What were her options, now? She’d have to leave Viole behind to find the men, free them, and then force Thayla or Lykone to allow an ambulance entry . But, she could ill-afford to leave someone behind to tend to the wolf.

 

Just as she was about to make a decision, Viole’s voice crackled. “Go save ‘em, Colonel,” she coughed, motioning for Reia to sit her up. “I sure as fuck ain’t feeling too great right now, but I’m still thinkin’ and I’m still warm. Just prop me against a wall, give me a gun, and I’ll make sure they don’t go anywhere.” Her voiced was tinged with pain and her words came in gasps, but she still managed to put on a devilish smirk as she spoke.

 

“Are you sure…? Wait, no, that one’s magic,” Serlov said, thrusting a finger at the sphinx, “is ideal against lone targets. Wouldn’t work.”

 

 “Ah, it’s not instant, right? Soon as I feel a tingle anywhere I’ll just shoot her,” Viole said, winking at the sphinx. “We’ll be best of friends, won’t we?”

 

The sphinx said nothing, instead she simply regarded Viole warily.

 

“You can’t be serious…?” Reia chimed in, still holding her comrade upright. Through her breath she could feel her ragged breath. The bandage was beginning to show signs of soaking through with blood as well.

 

The bloody wolf simply gave a pained smile, closing one of her eyes momentarily. “Very serious. You guys have a job to do. Can’t be fussing over my stabbed ass.”

 

Serlov frowned. It was the best choice when she thought about it logically. But, leaving someone behind, even as a temporary measure, was tantamount to abandoning them as far as she was concerned.

 

“Colonel,” came Viole’s quiet voice, her smile fading.

 

“…Fine. We’ll be coming back to get you, and we’ll be bringing back Marc as well. Let’s get her situated…”

 

 

 

Serlov and Yvonne carried the two unconscious guards into the storage room and bound them with their own clothing. Breaking the legs off a table for a makeshift stretcher, they lifted the wounded Viole onto it and brought her into the room. Wadding up what little soft material was left, they propped her up against a wall.

 

Fortunately one of the guards had a handgun, leaving all three rifles for use by Serlov, Reia, and Yvonne. Not that Viole could likely fire a rifle in her condition, anyways.

 

After tying up the sphinx, they deposited her in front of the bloodied wolf.

 

“Go get ‘em, guys,” Viole said as cheerfully as she could manage. “I’ll make sure she stays put.”

 

“Don’t do anything stupid,” Reia replied as she closed the door to the storage room, flashing her own grin.

 

The remaining three then set off through the halls towards where Serlov had seen the other guards.

 

--

 

Peeking around a corner, Reia spotted a pair of guards milling about in front of one particular hallway at a large four-way juncture. While they were certainly inattentive, the distance from the corner to them was simply too great to be able to sprint across without being noticed. As much as she wished to avoid needless killing, there weren’t any alternatives.

 

Tucking in, she told Serlov of what she saw, along with her recommendation of how to resolve the situation.

 

Her commander nodded. “We’ve got a job to do, and we need to get it done fast.”

 

Switching off the safety, Reia brought the rifle up to her cheek as she swung around and took aim. A brief staccato cracked through the nearly-empty halls, the minotaur double-tapping both guards. The first woman dropped, probably without seeing or hearing a thing, and the second was dealt with long before she could even ready her weapon.

 

Reia rushed forward, covered by Serlov and Yvonne as they took positions around the corner, looking down the other hallways for anyone approaching. After Reia checked the fallen guards for life signs and confirmed they’d no longer be a threat, she signaled to the serpentine pair.

 

“There’s quite a few doors down this way,” Serlov said as she studied the walls on either side of the hall the guards had been posted at. “This is going to take some time to-“ She cut herself short as a door at the far end opened, someone stepping out.

 

Serlov brought her sights up, and studied the target. Confirming it wasn’t human, Serlov dispatched the woman – something with four legs, looked like a centaur – in a short burst of fire. “Six down,” she breathed out. If a lieutenant was in command, chances are there wouldn’t be too many more mercenaries around. Or so she hoped.

 

“Each of you take a side and start sweeping those rooms,” she yelled.

 

Reia and Yvonne grunted their acknowledgements, and split up on either side. Reia hammered the first door open with a mighty blow from her hooved foot, nearly knocking it off its hinge in the process. Her gun and eyes searched the room, but failed to find anyone.

 

Glancing back to Serlov, she shook her head and took off towards the next door.

 

Yvonne had to hold her rifle one-armed, using the other to spear through the door, splintering the top half apart as her powerful claw tore through the wood with ease.

 

“Clear!” She yelled, slithering quickly along to the next room.

 

Proceeding up the center, alternating between watching behind and in front, Serlov covered the other two as they each battered open another set of doors. Again, the rooms were empty save for typical office furniture.

 

There were at least a dozen rooms along each side of the hall, as well as the room that was at the end of the corridor from which the centaur had emerged. Serlov’s thoughts and eyes lingered on the doorway.

 

No one else appeared to be leaving the room, but that didn’t mean it was safe – not like people would be rushing out once they witnessed someone gunned down.

 

“Hold for a minute,” Serlov yelled, “I’m going to check the room at the far end.”

 

The minotaur and wurm halted their room-to-room search, now on three rooms apiece, and watched in the direction from which they’d entered the hallway.

 

Holding her back against the wall, the doorway less than an arm’s length away, she stared down at the centaur that had spilled across the floor. Most of her had fallen into the hallway; her face was nearly touching Serlov.

 

The centaur was certainly a young girl; probably hadn’t been with the mercenary unit for long. Four rounds had pierced her, starting from her horse-half going up towards her heart. She thought her days of killing those from the same world were over. With a sigh, she bent down and closed the woman’s eyes.

 

Straightening herself and then taking a deep breath, she inched closer to the entryway. Readying her rifle she then sprung sideways, using her coiled body like a power spring. The barrel of her gun swept back and forth in-sync with her vision. Her eyes found two pairs staring back, but they did not belong to anyone holding a weapon. Nor did they belong to anyone with a feminine face.

 

Hands bound and seated upon the floor were two of the men. Marc and Alex.

 

“Colonel!” Marc shouted as they both stood upon seeing Serlov.  

 

“Glad to see you two are okay… we’re still searching for the others. Do you know where they are?”

 

“No idea, Colonel,” Alex responded. “They’ve been keepin’ us in here, haulin’ us off one-by-one… don’t know where.”

 

Serlov turned from the two to search the centaur for a key. “Well, we’re searching all the rooms down the hall… I figure they’ve got to be in one of them,” she said, patting the various pouches on the fallen woman’s fatigues.

 

Marc and Alex stooped down as well, checking as best as they were able with their cuffed hands.

 

“Nothing, huh? Wonder who has the key,” Serlov said, looking down the hall. Yvonne and Reia kept glancing backwards; Yvonne especially seemed to want to dash over as fast as she could.

 

“Right, well, keep your heads down – stay in here while we check the rest of the rooms.”

 

“Got it,” said Marc, ducking back into the room. Alex cast a long glance at Yvonne, then nodded and darted inside as well.

 

“Alright, back to checking!” Serlov yelled, heading back down the hall.

 

At her signal Reia and Yvonne resumed their search, making their way up the wide, brightly lit corridor. Room after room was the same as those they checked before.

 

Serlov was beginning to think that the others had been taken elsewhere. Until Yvonne yelled.

 

“Colonel!...Come… Come look…It’s…”

 

Inside the room, there was a familiar face - though he was slumped down onto the floor. Some of his clothing had been removed, revealing pale flesh. Serlov slid past Yvonne into the room, next to the man. He was still breathing, and his pulse was weak, but stable. Glancing up towards the ceiling, Serlov noted one of the ceiling tiles had been pushed aside.

 

She reached down, holding a hand on Casey’s bared chest, feeling his slow, weary heartbeat. Opening one of his eyes, his pupil was almost entirely dilated. There were no obvious wounds, and not even a day ago he was vibrant and full of life. Now, he appeared to be at death’s doorstep.

 

Her speculation on Casey’s condition was cut short by an angry shout.

 

“That fucking cunt!” came Reia’s voice, shortly after she’d forced open another door.

 

Serlov breathed heavily through her nose. “…Heft him onto the table for now, and… try to put his pants back on,” she said quietly to Yvonne before heading back out into the corridor and into the newly-opened room.

 

Contained within was a similar scene, though any signs of life were absent. His ghostly pallor was even more severe, and his naked form made his absolute stillness readily apparent. Before Serlov could say anything, Reia dashed out and began forcing her way into the remainder of the rooms in a panicked frenzy.

 

They likely shared the same thought regarding the well-being of the rest of the men.

 

Door after door was brought down, each one revealing the body of someone they knew. Four were confirmed deceased – Peter, Emil, Greg, and Louis. Only one man remained.

 

Standing in front of the last and final entryway, Reia simply stared forward, her body drained of its fire. There was little chance of anyone aside from Tomas being in the room. Serlov gently pushed the minotaur aside and tested the handle.

 

Inside was what she’d imagined. The lamia moved in to make her confirmation, placing a pair of finger against his neck. To her surprise he was not as cool as the others, and there was the barest hint of a pulse, along with the shallowest of breaths. Perhaps the large man simply had more than the succubus could take in a single meal?

 

Serlov felt a presence behind her, and glanced over her shoulder. Reia had crept in quietly, looming over the lamia.

 

“Is he…?”

 

“No. He’s alive, if only just,” replied Serlov, removing her fingers from his neck.

 

Moving aside for the minotaur, Reia carefully lifted his body and set him atop the desk, and then began picking up the uniform that’d been strewn across the floor. Entirely silent and calm, she began to dress him with a gentle touch Serlov had never witnessed from the powerful woman as she left the room.

 

Out in the hallway, she sighed as Yvonne approached. Then, shadows at the far end of the hallway jumped to her attention. But, it was too late to even attempt to get into cover or pull her weapon from her shoulder. Six barrels were pointed at them, ready to spit death should either of them make an errant movement.

 

“Yvonne, don’t move,” Serlov said calmly, almost plainly, looking over the wurm’s shoulder. “I got careless.”

 

--

 

Arms crossed tight and her large ears flicking back and forth restlessly, Emrald grumbled to herself inside the little 4x4. She had to keep telling herself that it was fortunate she was being allowed to tag along, but the slow, almost crawling pace was setting her nerves on edge.

 

General Jurai had proven to be someone she could trust, but was hesitant to allow Emrald to go along with the search and rescue party. She’d finally given in when the ornery kitsune refused to take no for an answer, stating the importance of her comrades, and, somewhat bashfully, her lover. Eventually, after pleading her case in all manner of ways, Jurai finally capitulated and granted her wish.

 

After organizing the mission, Jurai herself had departed for the military operations center to assemble a formal inquiry into the matters of the UF. The missing men had caused quite a stir throughout the world; relations between political parties that had just begun to warm were again fractured as each sought to blame the other.

 

Now, at the airfield where the helicopters had supposed landed, Emrald was almost wishing she’d gone with the general. She had been ordered to remain something like a passive observer while Major Dyseth had been appointed commander of the mission, as well as the kitsune’s chaperone to ensure she behaved herself and stayed out of trouble.

 

Shielding her eyes from the bright sunlight, Emrald focused her gaze on the major. She was speaking with the last of the locals here as the remainder of the soldiers piled back into the trucks. They’d spent nearly an hour here already, questioning practically every single person within a large radius. Thus far, everyone they’d spoken with had confirmed that a small convoy of trucks, all bearing the markings of the mercenary company that’d conducted the operation, had left, heading northwest. It narrowed down the list of possible holding locations provided by Jurai significantly, but there were still at least half facilities to check on.

 

Unfortunately, they would still have to investigate them one by one the hard way – in person. It would be a tiresome process, and likely go until nightfall, but Emrald had a feeling she’d find her comrades.

 

And a feeling that something terrible was unfolding.