Silence of Oppression
Disclaimer: This story is based on the theoretical development on how Anthromorphic beings appeared on Earth. If there are any comments or concerns please voice them nicely, it's the only way to make these better. Thank you and enjoy!
Chapter One
Time: 20:32hrs Oct 19 2048
Location: Gamma X-ray
Operation: Silence of Oppression
The distant echoes of small arms fire crackled through the air as LT. Tarrow and his team sprinted across the landing zone. The terrain was nothing short of a big open field, shaped like a bowl. The scenery had changed only slightly as he had been gone a mere 10 years from his old home. The large vista outside of Castle Rock, Colorado was his favorite place when he was growing up.
Many fond memories flooded his mind of running through the tall grass, just like now, dominating without the constant upkeep of the now vacant home owners association. The air was warm, the subtle blowing breeze making a soft sound of moving grass. Across the field, the rolling stalks from the waves of air rustling past made the bushy stalks of golden brown grass sway to and fro in a soft caress of nature. The sun was setting to dusk, the shadows of the warm day drawing long lines across his path.
Only the muted panting from behind the ¾ enclosed helmets he and his men wore, combined with their rustle through the brush, filled the surrounding air. Over head the silent watch of Eagle Eye, a remote controlled recon drone watched their every movement as well as the surrounding area. It gave them crucial feedback and linked them into COA or Command Operations Admiralty with essential data and order corrections.
"Tango Sierra come in over?" huffed LT. Tarrow as he sprinted across a desolate road, down the deep natural gutter, and up the embankment on the other side of the road. His boot slipped and extended an arm but felt someone catch him on his vest with a powerful tug keeping him upright and moving. The video in the corner of his HUD showed it was Doze, the explosives specialist, wearing the smooth lines of EOD armor.
The radio popped in Tarrow's ear as he hurdled over a wooden bridge walkway, and the soft sound of gear ruffling with a metallic rustle, as his men followed over. "Five eight one, we got your position go ahead?"
Tarrow and his team were one of five divisions, one of eight teams, and his position of the team was one. The legendary signature within the GDF as being the last of each posting was reserved for the best-581. Drawing upon old tradition and new combat practice of the last line of defense, there were no recorded losses of any LLD team.
Tracing a rough path alongside a rundown road, a house that looked much like a compound; where their target was supposed to be held captive lay just around the bend. Lieutenant Tarrow melted into a crouch behind an outcropping of shrubby trees. Weapon poised but not raised he held up a fist, his team reacting into a wedge formation for open cover.
"COA, we have the target in sight," said Lieutenant Tarrow magnifying his HUD on the house. He traced the image around the perimeter checking for any activity; however found it completely devoid of life. "Command we have zero activity on location, please advise to mission status. This wasn't in the Intel report?" His radio buzzed and popped static.
There was a longer than normal length of time between him and command he thought to himself as his radio squeaked again. "Alright John, look we can't get any birds over to your location right now we have them chocked up in Denver right now." Jonathan Tarrow straightened at not only his name but the person addressing him.
"Mister President?" he asked half aware he did and recovered instantly, "Sir, we have Eagle Eye over us, he'll keep us clear outside. I'm confident in my team to take the objective. What are your orders Sir?" he said holding his helmet closer to his ear, making sure to hear loud and clear; turning back to his team. As he did he found each of his brothers' eyes looking to him, through their frosted glass visors and he smiled nodding confidently. They all readjusted their stances their body language clear enough to the Lieutenant.
"You know how much this all means to us Johnny, I can order you into that building, but we know why I withhold that command. It's your call my friend," buzzed the radio over the entire team's radio freq.
"Understood Sir, we won't fail you," said John as he closed the link and got up waving a knife hand forward. "Let's get in this war people!" he ordered standing. Sprinting past the row of indigenous trees he focused into the exacting mindset of a SF operator. Bolting across the soft rolling landscape, over the road and towards the house, LT. Tarrow ordered Eagle Eye to better position over the house through his armor's AI.
His men followed with shouts of acknowledgement and in a bee line they moved a blur with determination. Holding his Mako V CQC assault rifle close LT. Tarrow whipped past the trees darting for the far corner of the building as Eagle Eye kept them in sight. His men followed right behind him; their course a lot quieter than his own.
The sound of branches snapping and the rustle of five men in brand new Zone Force armor variants, easily weighing over 400 pounds apiece resembled that of moving titans.
President Goodman stood in the forward command base his arms crossed wearing the new Chameleon Armor watching the screen before him. People were bustling about with multiple tasks in retaking Colorado and NORAD. The key to all their defenses, the United States had been quick to shift to the new threats of terrorist attacks, with the break out of Genesis, but were still far behind the ball.
The Genesis wars taking place were spreading across the nation like wild fire. Anthromorphic beings were discovered in 2012 as more and more human births lead to the creation of a new species. That species was humanities new reach to the future. However humanity extremists fought against scientific proof of the genetic link; then seeking out the parents and the offspring, they eliminating the genetic mark.
It was later proved that sooner or later all of humanity would exhibit the same genetic marker inherited from some still unknown source from nature and it was all inevitable. Some called it Armageddon of humanity under the book of Nostradamus; but it was simply just the next step. Every country took stands against the new radical groups which easily outnumbered all political power 300-1. Every man women and anthro who went into the newly assembled Global Defense Force, GDF, fought with odds easily surpassing that of 1000-1.
The USA was the head of the joint effort being the quickest to respond with an era of progressivism coming out of their second great depression. They had the military might, the technological ability, and the largest percentage of supporters able to hold true to the nation's constitution that all men are created equal.
Goodman rubbed his chin and tensed as Scepter, a spy satellite in orbit zoomed in on 58's position. Finding himself holding his breath he shook his head and turned to his Air Commander. "Son, get me a pair of Predators over on my team's location."
The Commander turned looking the president back with brief confusion, the sign of being overloaded but smoothed his features thinking. "Sir, I have all my birds except for the extraction bird for team 581 split between Denver, and Colorado Springs. If we divert any of them out we could lose the initiative."
The President took a step closer and pointed to the video feed from Scepter. "Take a look Commander. My boys I sent in to end this war have more fire power than God himself," motioning to a live satellite feed from orbit.
"However, these three tanks and APC's the enemy has, will be like 581 shooting spit balls at a brick wall, get me what I want son."
"Yes sir mister President," said the Air Commander, turning back to his XO, and relayed the orders.
"Sir!" barked the younger man and walked to another wing of the base; opening the glass door that sealed off the Predator Operators Team from the rest of the commotion. His pace was hurried and he gave each of his subordinates the look, each stepping aside waiting for a later chance to speak with him. Walking to the far corner, onto a metal raised platform he neared his two favorite pilots.
"Three-five you got me?" asked one of the pilots as the Executive Officer walked up behind them keeping his mouth shut.
"Yeah I got you buddy, those bastards are running fast and low your eight o'clock," replied the other pilot sitting just next to him behind what looked to be really expensive set video game simulator controllers.
"Copy that three-five rolling in follow my lead," said the first pilot coolly. The image on the vids screens of each pilot rolled twisting towards the ground as they moved the control sticks. They were in a tight echelon formation and a quad of red diamonds appeared on screen as they pushed in sequence the throttle controls to maximum.
"Hang with me Scott going in fast and low, I got the two on the right," said Mark the lead pilot. The XO watched impatiently resting his hands on the tops of the over padded leather chairs.
"Roger Lead, I got you; off to your port little low. Confirm four targets on an eastly course," muttered Scott his screen showing him flying just behind and under Mark's Predator's horizontal stabilizer. "Whoa what the fuck?" blurted Scott.
"What is it three-five?" asked Mark hurriedly.
"Lead we have sparks coming off your fuselage, going infrared Sir," replied Scott flicking another button. Five people were hanging outside the windows and the faint but clear signatures of muzzle flashed indicated, "Three-one we got small arms from the ground."
"Confirmed, stay tight."
Inside the Green 2500 Suburban Jamison laughed his M4 sticking out the rear passenger window as they sped away at over 110 mph with their four vehicle convoy. They had just ransacked a National Guard armory and were fully loaded to capacity on all their vehicles. He was in the third of the four Suburban 2500 convoy that were going to what they still thought was an intact rebel base, recently leveled by the now pursuing aircraft.
"Those fuckers didn't even know what hit em'!" he taunted openly as he let the cooling wind blow against his face and cloths. He sighed long and slow as a big smile spread across his lips reconciling the action still fresh on his mind. The pleasure surged through him from the act of slaughtering the traitors both fur and human still hearing their cries for help. Shaking his head softly he heard the familiar sound of aircraft get louder and peeked outside the window.
Squinting into the light he made out two aircraft in a tight pattern screaming right for them. "Hey Anthony! Take a look out the right side up about 2 o'clock, what are those!" shouted Jamison over the sound of the air rushing through the windows.
"I dono, they look like Predators, god only knows what they're doing this far out!" he called back relaxing in the front passenger seat putting his boots on the dash. That didn't satisfy Jamison, only churned his stomach with a vacant fear. He glanced forward momentarily then looked back, and saw the aircraft swing to his right. As he watched they turned right for them as they swung a long curved course coming up from behind.
"Dannie! Floor this thing! We've got company!" yelled Jamison as he tore off his belt and slithered through the window facing backwards and pointed at the two aircraft screaming towards them to the rear Suburban. Precious seconds ticked by as each of the men in the last SUV got out minus the driver and started to open fire with Jamison.
"Confirm arm J-Dam 500's ready to launch in eight seconds," replied Mark reaching forward tapping a single glowing button; the screen turning red as the targeting tone bleared a solid sound. Scott did the same his terminal having the same sound.
"J-Dam 500's loaded and armed sir," said Scott in an ice cold tone, his eyes flicking across the screen.
"Fire in three... two... one... Fire! Release?" said Mark pulling his controls up and to the right; Scott immediately repeating the same movement.
The two aircraft howled over head as each of the car passengers firing tracers into the air, shots going wide hitting nothing as their weapons clacked open, dry. Screaming off to the side the two Predators banked hard, nearly scraping the ground and went vertical twisting away the gush of air blowing up sand and dust into Jamison's eyes they were so close.
Jamison dropped the empty magazine to the road and let out a soft sigh of relief grabbing his radio on his shoulder. "They just went by to scare us! It's all ri-," he was cut off as the lead two vehicles disappeared in a brilliant flash of light. The explosion blew Jamison's eardrums apart as the concussive force knocked him out the window as the vehicle swerved off the road. Landing on his back the ground tore his vest to tatters finally ending up skidding on his back bullet plate as sparks exploded behind him.
He cried out in agony as the ground ripped and clawed at his flesh, the friction searing his body making it smolder ,the smell of his own skin, blood, and muscle filling his lungs. He came to a halt panting, and struggled up to stand as adrenalin rushed his body. He needed to get clear of the other car, just when the second bomb detonated. Jamison grunted for the last time as the force slammed across his back, his body vaporized from the sheer force of the explosion.
The fire consumed the entire convoy each vehicle detonating with secondary explosions from ammunition, explosives, and fuel from the raid. The Predators made a second sweep by as the tumbling carcasses of the burnt-out vehicles tumbled, panels of sheet metal flying through the air.
Both pilots smiled and laughed turning their aircraft on auto pilot for refuel and resupply. "Did you see that!?" exclaimed Scott sitting up and holding a high five. Mark turned and smacked his hand hard a respectable snap sounding and laughed back.
"Oh man, that guy stood up and didn't even know what hit him! Nice shot Scotty," cooed Markus a proud expression on his face as he punched his partner's shoulder.
"Alright gentlemen nice work, new orders from the Chief," said the XO resting his elbows on the chair tops leaning on his clasped hands.
"Okay, listen closely and don't ask questions. All of us here know you're my guys to go to when shit hits the fan, and I need it now more than ever. Just like the USAF, we have Spec Ops running behind a lot of what we do on a day to day basis," he stated pointing a circle around the room of the POT. "And on those rare occasions, our friendly Specter Operators bite off more than they can chew. That's where we come in.
President Goodman has got a special mission for my best guys, you." He said pointing to each of the pilots sitting turned to face him. They looked at each other with brief glances of excitement. "To save some ass that's said to be the most crucial mission of this engagement over Denver and the Springs," he said standing a look amusement on his face though restrained. "So, refuel, rearm, and get to the new coordinates for close air support. You two will be linked for the first time with actual live ground troops and you'll need to do anything possible to help the situation."
Pulling back Executive Officer Paladin gazed at his men's faces. Both were bewildered and were brimming with questions. "Any questions?" he asked.
"Sir just one, has this ever been done before? The time lag between radio from them to us then to the aircraft makes this mission high on the scrub list," said Markus turning in his seat his legs swinging into the middle isle.
"Yes and yes. The first attempt using Predators in the earlier 20's made Predators 'select target only' weapons. That's why we don't have you guys flying fighter planes from here, too much time delay and you're not there to see and feel. However this is very trying circumstance and that's why we're willing to risk it, you're the only ones available. Do this right and you got the week off, got it?"
"Yes Sir," said Scott sitting back then summarized what the XO said. "You came to us and we won't pass up the opportunity to get more shore leave," said Scott smiling wide. The XO laughed and turned nodding once and walked out of the room. Both men took a deep breath and looked at each other with mild uncertainty.
"Well?" Scott was the first to ask.
"Well what? You heard him, he wouldn't be asking this if he really wasn't between a rock and a hard place," replied Markus turning back and reclining in his chair.
Scott sat thinking for a moment. His paw rubbing under his chin then popped his knuckles sitting back and sighed.
"Hey what's the matter bro?" asked Markus gazing over at the Fur next to him. He was by his guess a fox or some sort of feline but he couldn't guess for the life of him.
"Nothing, just thinking," replied Scott his voice quiet. Taking off his helmet he ran his paw through his crew cut short auburn matching his fur rubbing behind his ears tiredly. They both had been awake for over eighteen hours, twice the allotted time for any crew.
Markus did the same and rested his helmet in his lap turning. Reaching out and resting his hand on his friends shoulder he gave an understanding pat. "Hey we could use a break eh? Can I get you anything?" asked Markus standing dropping the helmet to the chair.
"Yeah a diet coke if you got one?" replied Scott looking up a small smile slipping across his lips. Markus nodded and stepped off the raised platform walking to the lush break room that was much like a 5 star lounge.
///Chapter Two///
Air Force Commander Kazorek leaned on one of the radio consoles, his free hand rubbing his chin. "That's 581's channel alright, why is it broadcasting?" asked Commander Kazorek looking at the radio operator with apprehension.
"Sir, it could be interference from overlapping frequencies and the total volume of com traffic going through this station, we're bound to get some interference," he assured his superior officer. Michael's paws danced across the terminal keyboard typing in set commands trying to run down the problem. "I'm going to run a diagnostic, I'm sure it's probably just another glitch Commander," he said with a brightening smile as he gazed towards the human. The Commander nodded and stood silently, patting the wolf on the shoulder.
"Not much in the way of bulk are you son?" thought the Kazorek. "Alright keep my apprised," responded Kazorek with his soothing yet confident voice as he turned away.
"This is 58... we....." static blasted the speakers on the console. Michael had to turn the sound down it was so loud. The static was thick and unrelenting the voice fading and out. "There are multiple enemy contacts... blast em'!..." the shattered and pieced sound of weapons fire crackled and popped.
"Sir we have a video signal..." coughed the wolf in shock a frightened face plastered across his features.
"Put it through," shot Kazorek resuming his place, leaning on the console. Michaels typed in keys and tapped a button and the overhead vid screen popped on with the washed out feed. The scene jerked and swayed from a helmet cam. They were inside a room of some sort looking like an office, shreds of paper hung in the air as the camera scanned across the interior. There were three of the unmistakable silhouettes of team 581 but it was chaos with the spotty feed. Flashes of automatic fire flared across the screen as the image of the helmet's wearer brought their rifle to bear. The whole scene vibrated out of focus as the weapon fired; the flash from the muzzle break flaring the screen bright white. The jerky sound and cross communication clogged the speakers and the radio frequency.
"Lieutenant they're take!..." the com cut out with other voices. "Top floor clear... we're..." pop squelch, "down pushing them ba!" the channel closed but the video remained operational. The helmet cam swung to the right and two more figures came from a landing and opened fire, their green tracers searing across the camera. The enemy was completely vague and unrecognizable in the entire event. As the camera swung back alone flash of light from a dark door popped and the camera jerked back towards the ceiling and jerked again as it rolled to the side. A blurry view came into focus, revealing the same Mako V the camera showed the soldier shooting his hand limp next to it on the floor... the camera jerked once more and cut out...
To be continued...