Chapter 2: Mission 2: Piccadilly
Hey people.
As promised, since you all liked the first chapter, I decided to continue this series and write the second mission of the game, "Piccadilly."
This mission was one of the most disturbing in the game, as it showed really well the horror of a terrorist attack and the problems with the "engagement rules" we have to follow in counter terrorism, that's why I needed to be really meticulous about the description and reactions, while trying to stay in character, of course.
I think I've managed to pack the thing well, but that will be yours to decide in the end.
I hope you enjoy your read!
After Subaru closed his eyes, the screen turned black. Leaving the people in the theatre alone with their thoughts about what they just saw. Saying they were shocked was an understatement, most of the people here never really thought of another way to fight than with blades, iron and magic. But now, they saw what war looked like in another world and truth be told; no one was excepting something like this. Something this brutal. Something this shocking.
Even Beatrice who heard the words of her contractor about this matter couldn't have thought of something of this span.
But more than the way warfare was held in this world far away from theirs, there was one thing that couldn't go out of the mind of everyone in this room.
"So…There was a time when Subaru was a soldier…" Voiced Julius out loud, speaking to himself than anyone.
"I…Still can't believe it, to be honest." Whispered Otto, a bit uneasy.
"Then how come he was this weak…Wait, no. How come he's still this weak?" The merchant princess asked, in genuine confusion.
Few people flinched upon hearing those words. Some even glared immediately at her in anger…People like the duchess who was seated right to her side and a blond boy in the front row.
"Don't you fuckin' dare open your mouth if it's to spill bullshit like that!" He roared to her, nearly breaking the chair separating him from her.
Julius immediately stood up in front of him in a strong stance and glare, outraged by the boy's attitude.
"Who do you think you are?! How dare you speak lie that to a roya-"
"How the fuck do YOU stay here and do nothin' while she's insulting capn'! 'Knight among knights' who's claimin' himself as a true friend!" He angrily spat out, making Julius go rigid and clench his fists.
"Still….I realize my lack of virtue, but I'm sure lady Anastasia didn't mean anything close to berating Subaru. Therefore your rudeness is intolerable as you should know your place." He sternly inquired back.
"Then what about me, I suppose."
A cold voice echoed through the entire theatre. A voice so cold and stern, even Roswaal felt chills going down his spine. A voice who couldn't tolerate what she just heard.
Julius gulped as he felt fear taking him over by this simple tone of voice.
"I, Beatrice, as a great spirit of this world. Who do you think I am, to tolerate such words spoken about my contractor?"
Beatrice's face was so severe; the sheer terror Julius felt by seeing her could not be described. The knight was taken aback as his code was going against disrespecting such a being as high as a great spirit. But yet, his vow towards Anastasia Hoshin was absolute. As such…Julius Juukulius found himself for one of the rare times in his life, truly conflicted and confused. So much that even Reinhard and Felix looked down as they wouldn't want to be in his place.
"Now, now, both of you!" Inquired Anastasia, seeing this entire thing was up to no good.
"I wasn't trying to insult Natsuki-kun ya know? I was merely voicing my thoughts about a fact! You saw it yourself when we saw his arrival in Lugunica didn't you?"
"Even so, Anastasia." Sternly cut Crusch. "You should rethink your words before speaking; they can easily be misinterpreted of how unbecoming they sound."
Crusch was looking down on the petite princess with a cold stare, as she was standing up behind the seat of the young man, her hands still on his shoulders as she didn't feel like letting go just now. The previous viewing was still replaying in her mind, the blood on this boy's face still haunting her.
Anastasia simply huffed and looked away as she didn't intend to apologize one bit. She was a prideful princess.
Beatrice softened her glare a bit, before sighing and sitting back on her contractor's lap. But she wouldn't hesitate to defend his name should she speak ill of him again, her or anyone in this room.
The same feeling could have been shared by a certain half-elf, if only she wasn't lost in her thoughts, hugging her knight tightly with her face buried in his chest.
"Still…Even if I don't like how she said it, I gotta admit she has a point. Big bro's strong, but he never displayed anything like we just saw here…" Felt said, trying to get an answer with a better-formulated question.
"I agree, Felt-sama has a point," Felix said as looked at the screen in pity. "For all the viewings we have seen, Subaru-kyun never showed us any hints of his past as a soldier…"
"That's what I was trying to say." Haughtily voiced Anastasia
"Yes, but the way you said it had a negative connotation, Anastasia-sama." Answered a pink-haired maid seated near her lord.
"Maybe…Maybe Subaru-dono has been away from the battlefields for a while…?" Willhelm tried to theorize.
"Or maybe he…Lost his memories?" Said a blue-haired maid
That last comment made everyone raise their heads in suspicion and fear, as the mere thought of this possibility added new doubts in the hearts of everyone.
"Could it be it…" Whispered Emilia in a low voice
Otto and Garfiel immediately looked at Subaru in concern and worry, along with Crusch who tightened her grip on his shoulder.
"All of you are nothing more but fools. To a point that it irritates me." A fiery princess voiced out.
Everyone in the room turned their eyes towards the upper level, where Priscilla was seated, with glares of annoyance and anger.
"What does that mean now uh?" Growled Ricardo fed up with hearing this woman talk.
"Yeah, if you have something to say, you can say it without insulting anyone or just shut your trap!" A little blond girl yelled.
"Felt-sama, please…" Reinhard stopped his lady from going further with a hand on her shoulder.
"I believe Priscilla-sama is about to explain to us her thoughts on the matter."
"Indeed." Huffed the princess in annoyance, the words of that little girl not getting through her one bit.
"You all seem to have forgotten this world stands in a place where rules differ from ours."
The entire theatre looked at her with narrowed eyes, waiting for her to unfold her thoughts even though some of them already understood by that simple sentence.
"There is no magic. No mana in the air, no Od laguna to deliver blessings, no gate." She continued.
"They are fighting with tools and "technology" because all of them are born the same and equal. The only way they have to gain an upper hand is by working their body, by training…And by creating ways of killing like those weapons we saw." She concluded.
"So…The reason why Subaru-kun is weak in our world…" Uttered the blue Oni
"Is because he lived and grew in a world where rules of power differ from ours by a large margin…" Reinhard concluded.
"And that certainly goes in the other way around." The Princess continued. "If any of us would ever be summoned in the boy's world, we would certainly be nothing more but mere weaklings, much like what he was in his arrival."
"That's…" Worriedly stuttered Emilia
"Yes." Crusch Continued. "It's most likely the only possible scenario we would live…" She worriedly mused.
"Only, we wouldn't have the power to go back in time if ever we die." Voiced Al
Everyone wondered about that last sentence. In the end…The true conflict they felt was if either that power was a blessing or a curse.
All right, it's here.
"H-hey…Hum…Screen-sama?" Uttered Otto
You're about to ask me if Subaru lost his memories about this time of his life,aren'tyou?
The merchant flinched in surprise as the screen just voiced his thoughts out loud and simply nodded hesitantly.
Well, who knows? I don't.
Some of the people sighed in annoyance as this screen's antics, along with a duchess who could've sworn she just saw the wind of untruth blowing on this black screen.
Anyway, the next episode is coming, if you want to see it.
"Will…Will it be as scary as the previous one…?" Uttered Petra
…I wish I could say no, little one.
Some could say a glint of pity could be heard in the warden's voice. This in a way…wouldn't be wrong.
Unfortunately, all of them were too busy thinking about what could be coming in front of their eyes in the next few minutes to notice it.
"Subaru…" Emilia whispered with tears forming in her eyes, tightening her hug.
Just why this boy's life could only be filled with pain, battles and suffering? This was something that remained on the woman's heart and soul since the beginning of her knight's story. And now, she couldn't even reassure herself thinking he had a better life in the past. This cruelty he endured only added more guilt in her heart…Along with amazement at how he stood strong nevertheless.
Crusch didn't say anything as she hung her head low, slowly wrapping her arms around the boy's neck. She knew her actions weren't fit to who she was right now, but she couldn't care less. She needed this; she needed to feel him…Before facing the cruelty of this world's battle he had to endure.
"Why…" whispered Rem in a dread tone as she hugged her arm so tightly, she nearly could've broken it. Why couldn't he get any rest? She knew about him being a hero, but she knew he was still human and most importantly, she knew about the pain he's been through. The fact he might have lived something similar or even worse couldn't leave her mind.
Julius, Felix and Reinhard hung their head low in thoughts of the horror their friend might have faced. They were knights, but truth be told, none of them participated in a true war and nothing as close as the brutality they saw just now.
"I'm sorry…Subaru…" Whispered Reinhard as his fist shook in pain and guilt. He might have lived so much before.
And he couldn't even provide him from living the same experience in a country he had a duty to watch over.
Felt held onto her knight's hand to comfort him as she knew exactly how he felt right now.
She had the thoughts, after all.
Anastasia rubbed her scarf as she hid half of her face into it, closing her eyes and breathing as if to prepare for what was about to come.
Ricardo sighed tiredly as he rubbed the heads of the twins on his lap, not looking happy at all about what they just heard.
"Big bro…" Winced Mimi
"He really is strong…" Tivey uttered.
Roswaal simply hummed in his seat in delight, waiting for the next viewing to come in eager to see the life of the one he thought to be so close to.
"Could it be…We were eeeeeeeven more alike than I thought?" He mused to himself.
Ram looked away from the screen as to hide her face from anyone who would look towards her.
"Barusu…" She whispered between her gritted teeth.
Al grunted in annoyance as to see more of the bullshit his bro went through. He already saw so much he couldn't bear to see.
He didn't want to see more.
"Damn it, Bro…" we whispered under his helmet.
And Priscilla…Priscilla simply redressed herself in her seat, her eyes glued to the loading screen and her face hidden behind her lovely fan. Up until now what she saw didn't shock her as much as the others and marvellously fulfilled the role of entertaining her.
Truth be told, her interest couldn't be higher for something as simple as a commoner. Her curiosity was piqued; she wanted to know more and to see more.
"Mh…" She hummed softly.
"If only I knew earlier you were this entertaining…." She whispered to herself.
She seemed unpleased with that mistake of hers.
Seems even goddesses can do mistakes.
All right…There we go.
The screen loaded again to show the helicopter Subaru was in flying over the sea, in broad daylight.
Everyone's eyes widened at the sight of the helicopter flying over a large body of water.
"What are they flying over…? Is this a lake?" Asked Rem, her eyes wide in surprise
"A lake couldn't be this large! We can't even see the end of it!" Exclaimed Mimi
"That's true…It looks like a way larger territory made of water…" Mused Julius, his eyes narrowed to the sight.
Beatrice huffed as she held her head high once more.
"You're correct." She said with a loud voice. "This is was you can refer to as a sea. In Subaru's world exists multitudes of large bodies of water like this one, separating territories and even larger ones called oceans that can separate large islands, countries and even continents."
Everyone looked slack-jawed to the little spirit and the screen, wondering how such a thing was possible.
Most of them had already realized how Subaru's world was way bigger than theirs…But they still couldn't help to be surprised every time they heard of it.
"Even separate continents…" Reinhard whispered.
"H-how big is this world?!" Petra stuttered.
Near her, a helmeted man leaned forward to see more of it. If ever his helmet weren't covering his face, small streams of tears would have been noticed by some people.
The view showed the helicopter to its side, giving a good view of what a Blackhawk looked like to the theatre in all its glory.
"Man this is jus' freakin' amazin'!" Exclaimed Garfiel at the sight of it
Anastasia bit her lip again in frustration. If only she had the knowledge to build something like that…She couldn't help but to feel angry regarding all the money she might have had thanks to this.
"I wonder if he knows how to make them…" She whispered to herself.
Near her, a dogman who heard her sighed in annoyance.
The camera came closer until reaching the inside, showing Subaru still asleep on the back, as the pilot turning on his helmet and started speaking.
Emilia smiled at the sight of Subaru sleeping, she didn't hide the fact that she always loved to see him at peace. Watching him sound asleep like that warmed her heart up as she intertwined her fingers with his; blushing at how cute he looked.
Crusch smiled just the same, sighing at this sight calming her down a bit. She obviously shared the exact same feelings as her half-elf friend.
"Control, this is Big bird coming close to Hereford baseplate, demanding authorization to land."
"It's that weird language again…" Felt sighed.
"Well, I think he just asked if he could land the…eh…Helicopter, to the owner of the area…" Tried to explain Otto
All eyes turned to him in confusion as they were wondering how he could know this and of course, with it seemed so coherent.
"What?" Asked Otto, wincing a bit at all the stares he had.
"Is your divine blessing working on this, too?" Frederica asked.
"Eh?" Otto couldn't answer.
After some seconds, a voice answered in the pilot's headset.
"Big bird this is control, the deck is clear, you're green to land."
The camera changed to show the helicopter going to the side, flying towards an island.
"Whoa! There's an island in the middle of the…erh…Sea!" Felt exclaimed.
"Is it one of the countries separated by the water you told us about, great spirit-sama?" Reinhard asked with excitement.
"Correct," Beatrice answered.
"Hmm…" Priscilla hummed eagerly to see more of this.
The scene changed to show an entire area with military vehicles, buildings, hangars and troops walking and training.
"What is this place?" Asked Felix, narrowing his eyes
"It seems like a military area, maybe a garrison or a base." The old butler tried to explain.
"It is most likely something like this." Concluded Crusch, leaning down in her chair, a bit disappointed to let go of the boy.
On the ground, some people waited around a cleared space with a man at the centre, staring at the helicopter approaching from them. Someone with red sticks made gestures to the pilot, showing him where to land.
"What is that guy doing?" Asked Tivey, his eyes glued on the red moving stick, along with Felix and Mimi.
"Is he playing!? I wanna play too!" Mimi cheered.
"It seems he's more…Guiding the helicopter." Ram voiced.
Some people nodded with the pink oni's statement as it seemed like a logical explanation.
The Blackhawk stopped it's flight and started to stabilize, before slowly going down and landing on the deck, stopping the engine and the turning plates.
"Truly fascinating…" Roswaal whispered.
"Subaru" The pilot called as he took off his helmet. "Wake up, we're here." He inquired to the sleeping young man.
Subaru's eyes twitched as he redressed on his chair, rubbing his eyes with his gloved hands and yawning before opening them and see that the helicopter landed.
"How much of a sleepyhead you are…?" Pouted Emilia, not liking the sight of her knight people were seeing.
"Oh, give him a rest! I think he earned this after…Well…"
Anastasia stopped her ranting as she remembered what Subaru just went through, making her and many people in the room wince and even tear up as the memories of his near-death came back.
"I-I'm sorry…" She uttered, surprising some people, along with her knight.
"Anastasia-sama…" He whispered, his eyes reflecting the respect he had towards his mistress to recognize her own faults.
Emilia didn't look at her as she hung her head low, putting it back on Subaru's chest to be close to him.
"All right…" He cleared his throat, standing up, picking his rifle and going to the door.
When Subaru opened it he immediately met the stern face of a man nodding his head to him.
"Another mean-looking guy?!" Mimi exclaimed.
"Yeah but I think this one is with us." Ricardo smiled.
Subaru put his rifle in his left hand and approached the man, as he extended his arm.
"You must be 3-1." He said as Subaru took his hand.
"And you are?" Answered Subaru
"Operation command of SO15*, codename Raven." He replied. "Come with me, I'll brief you and present you with your team."
"So this man is a commander." Said Rem, staring at Subaru on the screen
"Big bro's meeting a lot of important people!" Felt exclaimed.
"That, he does." Laughed Al to his bro's situation
(*SO15 is a counter-terrorism cell in the United Kingdom.)
Subaru nodded and looked around him to see the base in all its glory. Showing the theatre a better view of the equipment and how the place looked like, with towers of control, buildings, training grounds and weaponry.
"This is going to be a long day…" He said as he followed the man.
"He looks worn out already…" Crusch winced."After what he's been through, it's only understandable…" She whispered to herself in sadness.
"I guess Subaru-kun is used to this to some extent." Rem said.
"I guess…He is." Replied Emilia, her hands still on the boy's
"Hmpf!" Priscilla huffed at the boy's lack of will.
Subaru followed the man through the entire area, seeing troops passing by and military trucks moving. As he walked, he noticed the symbol on a flag up their heads, a dagger with wings as well as a motto.
"Who dares wins…" He uttered to himself.
"We're with the Special Air Service? Is the threat this serious?" Inquired Subaru
"Special…What?" Felt uttered.
"Special Air Service?" Reinhard corrected for his mistress, his tone showing the same confusion as her.
"Who dare wins…" Crusch said as she tapped her chin in thoughts. "It sounds marvellously inspiring."
"Yeah! I thought too!" Exclaimed Garfiel
"My man!" Ricardo pointed to the tiger boy, who pointed to him in return.
Al tapped the handle of his seat in thoughts.
"It would surely reassure me to answer that question 3-1, but we don't have any clearance for now. Though the threat was enough to create a joint operation with the SAS and the SO15." The man explained.
"Isn't this a paradox?" Subaru asked with a confused expression. "You're saying the threat is enough to mobilize spec ops and counter-terrorism police, but you're still on standby?"
"Spec ops? Does it mean 'special forces' like what Al-san told us?" Crusch asked as she turned to the helmeted man.
Al nodded his head in confirmation. "Yep, that's just a shorter way of saying it."
"What is 'counter-terrorism police?'"Asked Otto, a bit worried about what he asked.
"I don't have my entire mind from that time of my life pal, but I think those are the guy just under the spec ops or so. They would be the equivalent of your royal guards." Voiced Al. "They're stronger people than regular police, that you can interpret as guards, that you send for more important threats, in this case; terrorism." He explained.
"The equivalent of the Royal Guard?!" Julius exclaimed, eyes wide. "Subaru held a place this important back in his world…?"
"Eh? Chickening now?" Ricardo laughed at his worried friend. "You're pissing yourself to the idea of the little boss's friends showing up to avenge him after what you did?"
Ricardo, Garfiel and the twins laughed to the alarmed face Julius showed up to them, as Crusch and Emilia winced a bit to the remembrance of what happened to Subaru.
"T-This is nothing to laugh off!" Julius yelled, truly scared of having caused a diplomatic incident.
The man sighed, exasperated by either the boy or the situation, before turning around to meet his eyes.
"There's rules of engagement, agent. We're in a civilian area, not a battlefield." He stated with a strong voice.
"So you're prioritizing the rules over potential casualties...That's fucking stupid!" He replied, his face showing hints of anger as his narrowed dangerously.
"Oof!" Ricardo scoffed.
"Damn, capn' ain't beatin' around the bush!" Garfiel yelled with his fist high.
"W-why is he speaking like that to a commander?!" Otto yelled, petrified.
"And what would you expect from Betty's contractor, in fact?!" Beatrice reprimanded them, proud of Subaru's actions.
"Mh…It looks like Subaru-sama isn't afraid of speaking his mind to his superiors." Crusch mused.
"So he had some self-insurance in the past…" Said Priscilla to herself as her eyes lit up in surprise.
"I mean, I understand why he would be angry," Anastasia said with a bitter tone. "He's clearly saying people's lives might be on the line while that commander is prioritizing rules." She explained with her eyes showing her displease.
"Subaru…" Emilia felt conflicted, she didn't know if she had to scold or praise her knight to stand up for people's good being.
"That's big bro for you!" Felt exclaimed.
"Yeah! My capn' is damned awesome!" Garfiel cheered.
Willhelm smiled in fondness as he recognized this attitude from being very true to the boy he knew so well.
"You truly never changed my boy…" He whispered.
Rem smiled wide as she leaned her head on her hero's shoulder.
"It's just who Rem's hero is." She voiced out loud, making some girls glancing at her in jealousy for the spot she was in.
But the most conflicted of all…Was Reinhard. His eyes were stuck on the Subaru on-screen standing up to his superiors as he didn't accept the rules put in place. Never the sword saint would have thoughts of doing anything like disobeying. Ever.
"And that is not your call to make. You're not the lead here, this operation's mine even if command insisted to have you there." Spat the man as he came closer, pointing his finger at Subaru. "You're in my country; you follow my rules, CIA."
"WHAT?!" Screamed Al, his voice echoing in the entire theatre in surprise as everyone turned their heads towards him.
Priscilla was the first to turn her eyes to him with surprise on her own; she never had the occasion to see her jester reacting like this, which means there was something to focus on.
"A-Al-san?" Otto was the first one to grab the man's attention.
Al snapped out of his thoughts as he leaned down on his chair clearing his throat.
"N-no, it's… It's not-"
"Al." Immediately cut Priscilla, making her knight shiver in place.
"Speak, will you?" She inquired with a slightly pressuring tone.
"Come on man, you can't do something like that and expect us to be quiet…" Ricardo exclaimed.
Al sighed under his helmet as he held onto it with his arm.
"Well let's just say that you knights might be in ever more trouble than you originally thought if ever the boy's friends really hear about what you did." He snorted tiredly, aiming at Julius.
Julius, Felix and Reinhard grimaced in horror, sweating as they didn't know if they wanted to hear what was about to come out of the man's mouth.
Emilia and Crusch waited with bated breath to know what all of this was about, the same could be told about the entire theatre to some extent.
"From what we heard, the boy isn't a 'police' or 'spec ops'." He said. "He's in the CIA."
"What's a CIA?" Petra asked as she titled her head to the man.
The same question could have been asked by anyone else, as they all waited for the answer in eagerness.
"Well, the CIA is above everything. I don't recall much as I said before. But these guys, I remember them. They're known all around the world for who they are after all. They only recruit the best, they have eyes and ears everywhere, saying they're professionals is an understatement since they easily surpass anyone in every field of combat and intelligence. They're one of the best soldiers you can find worldwide, the elite of the elite." He concluded.
Every single mind in the theatre blew up in shock or surprise. Never any of them would have thoughts of Subaru having such an important place, yet the screen just proved them wrong with a single word.
They turned to the screen, faces contorting in shock and worry, slack-jawed to the revelation that just been made to them.
"Subaru-kun…" Rem muttered.
"Is one of the best soldiers of his world…" Emilia continued, in sheer disbelief. Her knight was way more than she could have ever thought. And she realized that she didn't know anything about it.
"Pfft. Ya'll pathetic! Doubting Capn' wouldn't be the best!" Exclaimed Garfiel loudly as he bumped his chest with his fist.
He wasn't so excited that he couldn't stop his leg from shaking. He wasn't.
"Natsuki-san…Was this amazing even before…?" Otto said with a small smile.
"Exactly, Betty's contractor isn't to be underestimating. Blame yourselves to be foolish enough to not understand that earlier, I suppose." The little loli said haughtily.
"CIA…" Said Crusch as a smile found its way on her face. "The more I learn about you…The more you surprise me…Subaru." She gently whispered.
Priscilla kept her face hidden behind her fan as her eyes narrowed to the boy in the front row. She was deep in her thoughts right now, as she wondered just what truly the boy she never thought this high of was.
"Damn, he's so cool!" Felt said as she stomped her leg, angry to not have him in her camp.
"…" Anastasia only growled in frustration in jealousy for the same reason as the little blonde.
"I knew he had potential…But…" Willhelm uttered as he looked at the boy, eyes wide.
"Subaru is so cool! Frederica nee-sama, did you hear this?! He was the elite of the elite!" She said as she jumped in place.
Frederica smiled warmly to her as she caressed the girl's hair, trying to hide her own shock at this revelation.
"Maybe I should consider myself luuuuucky you didn't come here with your knowledge of your past, Subaru-kun?" Muttered a certain clown.
"M-mh…" A certain pink maid seated near him gulped in thoughts of having disrespected someone this important for a year now.
But the most scared of all the people in the room, where three nights staring at the floor, wondering how they would do to ever put themselves out of this international threat they might have just caused.
"…It's your fault, Julius-kyun…" Felix uttered in a dread tone.
"Felix…" Reinhard whispered with a sweating forehead.
Julius simply hung his head low as he tried to do everything to gain his composure back.
"If it ever comes to this…I shall accept the consequences of my actions…" He whispered.
Ricardo rolled his eyes with a tired sigh as the twins were laughing their asses off to the sight of the knight and his friends.
"Are you stupid or is it on purpose, damned prick." He snorted.
The man then extended his arm to grab Subaru's rifle, his eyes still staring at the boy.
"Starting with this." He lowly growled.
Subaru gritted his teeth to the man, his eyes starting glow red.
"You have to be kidding me." He growled back.
"Britain, brits rules." He sternly replied, before walking away and making him a sign to follow.
"HEY! That's capn' weapon'!" Growled Garfiel.
"C-calm down Garf! It seems Natsuki-san can't have it here…!" Otto said as he urged his friend from sitting back in his chair.
"I mean, I understand why," Felt said as she rubbed the back of her head. "If he ever does something wrong with this or by accident, he might wound someone."
A lot of people surprisingly found themselves nodding with the little princess's statement, along with her knight beaming a wide smile as his lady's cleverness.
"He showed himself extremely competent with it though." Anastasia said with a natural tone." I don't think he would ever do something like that."
And people nodded their heads to her statement as well.
He led Subaru to a building in another section of the base, before entering a room where several other men were waiting around a table, wearing equipment and looking at plans.
"Agents, this is Echo 3-1, CIA asset sent to assist us in this operation." He announced to the people.
Everyone nodded to him, Subaru did the same.
"Your team will be squad sabre, section 2." He explained as he designated the 3 other members of the squad." They're tracking the cell for weeks; they'll inform you the details."
"Looks like this operation they're doing is quite big if this is nothing but a section…" Voiced Crusch, inspecting everything she could see in the room.
"Well they did say two groups were operating together on this…So maybe this is more important than we think it is," Tivey said.
Subaru nodded his head to Raven and directed towards them as they smiled at him, greeting him properly.
"Glad to have lead, I'm Fowler."
"Brooks."
"Crowley"
Subaru shook each of their hands with a smile on his face.
"So, what do we have?" He asked.
"So Subaru will take the lead here too?" Emilia inquired in awe to see her knight acting so professionally.
"It seems to be the case, regarding how they respect him," Crusch said with a wide smile.
Brooks took some papers on the table and put them next to one another. The documents were mostly showing photos and faces of people.
"Those are the primary suspects. We've been on the watch for a while now, we managed to find out they smuggled weapons in the country, and if there are weapons…We tend to believe there might be more." He said with a glint of worry.
People's eyes went wide as they all leaned closer to see the perfect pictures and writing style they saw on the papers.
"What in the world?!" Crusch exclaimed.
"Who drew this?! It's so well done!" Anastasia yelled.
"It looks a lot like the…Hum…Quality of the picture he took of me with his metia…" Said Felt as she made the comparison with what she saw.
"That's true!" Exclaimed Felix "How come he managed to make it back on paper?!"
"Wait..." Otto said as he slowly looked to Beatrice, who didn't seem shocked at all.
"Beako-chan…" Emilia uttered.
Beatrice simply sighed in annoyance as she continued to watch the screen.
"Betty already told you, in fact." She said in a bitter tone. "Our world is nothing compared to Subaru's world technology, I suppose."
"…technology is incredible…" Anastasia muttered as she rubbed her scarf in frustration.
"Bombs?" Subaru perked.
"That's one possibility" Replied Crowley.
"They seem extremely well organized…" Rem said.
"Indeed." Replied Crusch, amazed by what she was seeing.
"Organization is the first step to win a battle, after all." Willhelm voiced.
"The thing is, if these guys are AQ, this is certainly the case," Fowler added.
"We still don't know if these guys are AQ?" Inquired Subaru, bewildered.
"That's why we didn't get the green light to act on this…" Brooks said as he rubbed the back of his head. "Regarding if they are AQ or not, the roots of the attack and our primary target might change."
"I see," Subaru answered with annoyance clear in his eyes. "The reason why nothing has been done yet is to know who we can blame for this and who we can attack for retribution."
"Subaru doesn't seem happy right now…" Winced Reinhard himself found these eyes to be a bit scary.
"Yeah, it seems he's pissed with something," Ricardo replied.
"From what though? That AQ thing?" Mimi asked.
"Or maybe for the situation they're in?" Tivey said, following his sister.
"Or maybe both…" Otto concluded, earning the glances of a few people behind him.
Priscilla nodded with the merchant's statement as she thought the exact same thing.
And she was rarely wrong.
The three others simply looked away in shame or simply because they didn't know what to answer, the "rules of engagement" being a serious thorn for everyone.
Subaru sighed and looked around him to see everyone in contractors or civilian attire, while he still had his military uniform.
"Hm…You guys have any clothes for me?"
"We'll see Subaru-kun in other clothes?!" Rem exclaimed.
"Y-you do know this isn't the subject of the viewing, right?" Asked Otto, a bit worried.
"I don't remember asking you anything." She coldly answered, her eyes emanating a threatening aura.
"Hmpf!" Huffed Ram to the thought of her sister eager to see that trash wearing something else.
Emilia simply stayed silent to not give away the fact that she wanted the exact same thing.
LONDON.
18H00.
The screen changed to show cars on a road in the middle of the streets of London, on a rainy night.
"MORE CARS!" Garfiel roared as he went forward.
"Wow! What's that place!" Anastasia said in awe.
The theatre only showed a part of London's streets, but the difference with what they had the habit to see in their world being so great, was enough to amaze everyone.
"It seems like a regular street…" Julius said as he leaned forward to see everything better.
"There are shiny lights everywhere! And the place is so clean! It's so pretty!" Mimi cheered.
Emilia, Rem and Beatrice all looked with wide eyes in excitement to see a place so different from theirs.
"It looks soooo much more pretty!" she exclaimed in a bright voice.
"It's truly impressive…" Crusch said in awe. "It seems all buildings are made of stone or iron, it doesn't seem there's any wooden structure, which would mean…"
"That none of them are poor…!" Exclaimed Felt, as she knew what conclusion the duchess was about to make.
Priscilla fanned herself with her scarlet eyes wide open in excitement to see more of this place. The boy really managed to entertain her well.
"It seems I'm only seeing advantages to make you mine…" The princess whispered to herself.
The camera came closer to a black jeep which the window was going down.
"CIA, roger up." A voice inquired on the radio.
"All clear," Subaru answered.
"The window?! What happened to the window?!" Anastasia exclaimed.
"It...Slowly disappeared…?" Otto said, bewildered.
"Did the car ate the window ?!" Garfiel exclaimed.
"Terror threat is now critical, possibly multiple attackers, bombers or…Something worse." Said the voice, stern yet worried.
"Something worse than multiple attackers?" Julius said in a more serious tone.
"And bombers too…" Even if Reinhard didn't know more than the name he just spoke, he knew this wasn't good.
These words were somewhat enough to inform everyone of the battle coming.
The camera came closer to the window, showing Subaru looking out of the car. He was now wearing a grey vest with a plate carrier and black gloves.
"Subaru-kun is handsome whatever he wears!" Rem voiced out loud.
Crusch and Emilia didn't say anything as they didn't find it appropriate to say further than the truth Rem just spoke out for them.
Ricardo glanced at Al as both thought of the same thing.
"Man I wish I would have fangirls like these!" The dogman exclaimed.
"So true." Replied Al.
Priscilla narrowed her eyes as she didn't seem to like what she just heard, from the dogman or Al, no one knows.
"Do we have snipers in position?" Subaru asked.
"Negative 3-1. Can't alarm the public."
Subaru rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"Terrorists know that too, Raven?" He said in a sarcastic tone.
"Pfft!" Garfiel snorted to his captain tone.
"Why is he always like this?" Otto yelled in worry for his friend.
"Stupid Subaru…" Emilia pouted. She didn't like him disrespecting his superiors like that.
"He has his reasons though…" Anastasia tried to defend.
She was surprised to find Crusch nodding in agreement with her, her stern eyes glued to the screen.
The man on the radio grunted.
"CIA, don't turn London into a war zone. Clear?" He sternly answered.
Subaru simply sighed as he leaned back in his seat, rolling the window up.
"So the objective seems to eliminate a threat without too much commotion, while Subaru and his team are the ones sent to deal with this…" Reinhard mused.
"But Subaru doesn't seem confident about the ways of his superiors." Inquired Julius, understanding the tone and reaction Subaru had right now.
"Woah! The car is spitting the window back!" Exclaimed Mimi, as Garfiel nodded with her in shock.
"I-I don't really think it's working like that but…Well…" Ricardo said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"You have a better explanation?!" Garfiel inquired as he turned around.
"Erh…Nope…" He replied.
"Then, he ate and spit out the window!" Garfiel concluded.
Ricardo simply shrugged as many of the people in the theatre laughing and giggled at the interaction.
"Yeah, all clear. Out."
The camera approached to be Subaru's eyes once again, showing his perspective.
"All right, we're back in, just like before…" Otto said as he gulped.
Emilia held a hand to her heart, using the other to hold Subaru's hand and prepare herself for what was about to come.
"Looks like we're on our own, lads." The driver Crowley said, in a bored tone.
Brooks looked to Subaru with a confident smile.
"We'll handle it." He said in a bright voice, nodding to him.
"Looks like it's about to begin…" Crusch said in a slightly worried tone.
"They're preparing themselves, trying to boost morale," Ricardo commented.
"That's a good thing." Acknowledged Willhelm, he knew how much this was important before a fight.
"Let's get it done, yeah?" Subaru replied.
"A-firm." Said Fowler, seated in front.
"There you go lead," Brooks replied, looking in the window to his side.
"I like that Brooks guy!" Felt exclaimed.
"Me too!" Petra replied, earning a gentle pat from her big sister.
All of them looked to the side as a vehicle started to come their way.
"Heads up…white van." Brooks noticed.
All eyes were no focused on the van passing by, noticing those wearing balaclavas on their heads and holding a pistol.
"He is holding a gun!" Reinhard exclaimed.
"They were waiting for them." Said Crusch as she narrowed her eyes, observing the situation with a stern expression, worried to know what the one she loved was about to face.
"They have to be the bad guys of this story." Spat Ricardo at the edge of his seat.
"Weapons in view…" Crowleyworriedly said as he stopped the car.
"That's them." Fowley continued, taking his weapon.
"Looks like they found what they were looking for," Priscilla said as she focused on the screen.
"Yeah, we're getting to the interesting part," Al replied.
"How exciiiiiting." Roswaal mused.
Subaru turned on his radio, as Brooks took his pistol and loaded it pulling the upper.
"Sabre to Raven, white van, multiple military-aged men, weapons noticed, moving to intercept," Subaru informed, before taking a colt 1911 from his holster and loading it.
"He's taking his gun…" winced Beatrice. "You're about to expose yourself to danger again, I suppose?"
Emilia went forward to hug the little girl to comfort her, even if nothing happened yet.
The rest of the cast just kept watching with bated breath, waiting for the fight to begin.
"Roger. Unless an attack is imminent- do not engage." Raven replied.
Everyone got out of the car, Subaru following Brooks out as Crowley stopped the car behind them and started to cover the left side. People around them started to gasp in fear to see armed men coming out.
"White van, left side!" confirmed Brooks for everyone as they approached it.
"Go, go!" Subaru ordered.
People on each sidewalk stared at them in confusion and fear, when a man suddenly got out of a car behind the van, screaming.
"They don't look okay…" Anastasia said at the sight of the people around.
"They recognized the weapons, they're afraid…" Frederica answered.
"B-But they know Subaru won't hurt them, right? He is not here for that!" Emilia.
"Don't worry, Emilia-sama." Replied Rem. "They seem to wait for things to unfold; they don't look panicked at the sight of Subaru-kun, which means they aren't afraid of him."Rem explained to her mistress.
Emilia breathed out in relief. She knew Subaru was about to face something dangerous, she didn't want him to have people on his back misjudging him as well.
"They're here brothers! They're here! Go!"
"Who's this guy!?" Garfiel roared.
"Seems he's trouble," Mimi answered.
"Come 're!"
Brooks quickly grabbed him and pinned him down, blocking his arms.
"Don't fucking move!" He shouted.
"Quick actions. I like that guy too." Al nodded.
"It's happening…" Said, Crusch as her hands were trembling.
The back of the van opened as people started to go out, either covering their faces or wearing armour vests.
"Police! Freeze!" Shouted Crowley.
"Woah, Woah, put down the gun!"He shouted back the man, as he slowly approached them.
"I don't like this…" Uttered Otto.
"I have a bad feeling about this.." whispered Subaru to himself.
"Eh…" The merchant smiled a bit to his mind alike with his brother.
"Subaru…" Said Reinhard in a low voice, not taking his eyes off the screen as his heart started to beat faster. He too shared the same feeling as the two friends…
"Don't…" Emilia said with a hand on Subaru's vest, tightening her grip.
"PUT YOUR HANDS UP!" Fowler shouted.
Brooks pinned the man down with his knee, allowing him to aim the man with his pistol.
"Get down on the ground, now!" He ordered.
The man showed his hands as he came closer.
"You're making a mistake…"
"The situation isn't getting any better…" Julius growled as he had a bad feeling.
Frederica tightened her grip on Petra's shoulders as both of them had their eyes glued to the screen in worry.
Ram started to tighten her grip on her chair's handle.
Suddenly, the van started again, speeding up fast forward.
"They're taking off!" Crowley shouted.
"I'm not going to tell you again!" Brooks shouted.
Subaru immediately hurried forward, as he started to understand.
"NO-"
"Subar-" Tried to say, Emilia
"What is h-"Crusch tried to say.
"What's hap-" Started Garfiel
"Natsuki-s-"Uttered, Otto.
None could end their sentence.
And got cut in his words; As the van exploded in the middle of the intersection, creating a gigantic blast of fire that knocked everyone on the ground, including Subaru.
"BARUSU!" Ram was the first one to yell at what she saw.
"NO!" Beatrice shouted as she held her contractor's sleeve.
"SUBARU!" Emilia yelled, tears falling from her eyes as she held her knight's hand.
"SUBARU-KUN!" Cried Rem as she held the boy's arm tight against her.
"NATSUKI-SAN NO!" Screamed Otto at the top of his lungs, jumping from his chair.
"CAPTAIN!" Yelled Garfiel in fury.
"FUCK!" Shouted Al, nearly standing up from his chair.
"Subaru!" Crusch immediately put a hand before her mouth as her eyes were twitching in shock, trying to keep her composure.
"NO!" Shouted Willhelm, his teeth gritting in anger.
Felix did the same as his mistress, as he simply couldn't take what he just saw.
"Subaru…" Reinhard couldn't close his mouth at the scene he just saw, his eyes crippling in worry for the one he cherished so much as a friend.
"BIG BRO!" Cried Felt as she took a hold of her knight's loose clothing.
Frederica immediately hugged her little maid tight as she was crying in her robe. The older maid tearing up in fear.
Anastasia's face contorted in terror, for the boy and for the people she saw all around him getting caught in the explosion. Her fists trembling, just like her entire being.
Julius got up immediately much like the green merchant, not believing what he just saw and how the situation turned like this.
"Get out of here…" he whispered in a dread tone.
Ricardo growled in anger as the twins' faces sported shocked expression, tears falling from their eyes and mouth wide open.
Priscilla fanned herself faster as her white teeth gritted in anger, her scarlet eyes burning in sheer fury.
The sound of the explosion was so strong he couldn't hear properly, the only thing being noticeable were screams and his own breathing.
As he turned his head, he saw a man get up with a gun in his hands in front of Brooks, still on the ground.
"Gun! Gun!" Crowley screamed, still trying to stand.
Subaru extended his left hand to grab his pistol, but no one was fast enough to stop him from aiming at Brooks, shooting him two times a point-blank.
"NO!" Yelled Felt once more. "GET AWAY!"
Reinhard had to come closer and take a hold of his mistress to calm her down, even if he wasn't really calm himself.
"Fucking hell!" grunted Al, seeing the brooks getting shot.
Crusch's heart started to beat faster and faster as she was paralyzed by fear, she feared the worst right now…Even if he was right in front of her…
His gun out of bullets and seeing Subaru grabbing his gun in front of him, the man rushed to attack him barehanded, but Subaru quickly got up and went forward, grabbing him by the throat and projecting him on the car's hood to the left before sticking his barrel up his ear and shooting his head.
A clear execution.
Emilia put both of her hands to her mouth as streams of tears covered them, trying to cope with what she just saw. Her Subaru? Executing someone this easily?
Beatrice winced at the sight of her contractor killing in cold blood as well, she knew he had to, but this wasn't how she knew him.
Crusch started to calm down as she put a hand to her heart, breathing in and out.
Julius, Reinhard and Felix grimaced at the way they just Subaru killing the man. This was brutal and violent, nothing like the boy they knew. Even if they were soldiers…this Subaru, managed to scare them.
"H-holy…" Ricardo uttered. He didn't have the words for this execution.
Felt was conflicted to either be extremely impressed with her big bro…Or a bit scared.
"THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR MESSING WITH THE CAP!" Roared Garfiel with his fist high, wishing to be alongside Subaru.
"Good riddance!" Al nodded to his bro's ways.
"You deserved worse, you filth." Growled Priscilla still satisfied with what she saw. She understood how he was related to the previous explosion.
Frederica took the initiative to cover her little maid's eyes to provide her from seeing this, a good intuition as she could barely take it herself.
"He was really sooooomething else before…" Roswaal uttered to himself.
"Fuck!" He growled.
A second enemy stood up aiming at Subaru with a pistol but got immediately shot by Fowler on the side.
"Brooks's gone! They fucking got him!" Crowley shouted as he had a hard time standing up on his feet.
"No…" Said Felt in a low voice.
Petra cried her heart out into Frederica's dress, holding the little one as tight as she could.
Al hung his head low with a tired sigh. He really liked this guy.
"3-1 what the hell is going on down there?!" The man asked on the radio.
Subaru helped Crowley to stand up and joined Fowler, as they went towards the explosion, seeing multiple civilians dead along with unrecognizable bodies and fire spreading around the destroyed van and cars.
"There's been a detonation at Piccadilly Circus, shots fired! Officers down!" Subaru explained as he tried to breathe better.
"By the gods…" Uttered Willhelm
"They killed…All these people…?" Anastasia whispered as her eyes were wide and her fists shaking.
"No, no, no…." Emilia cried as she held onto him.
Reinhard looked at the chaos with guilt and sadness. Even if he couldn't do anything, watching something like that was hurting him as a being and a knight.
"We need medical down here, now!" He ordered.
Screams and shouts echoed in the streets in front of them, urging the squad to speed up and see even more of the chaos and destruction the bomb had caused, with buildings crumbling on fire and smoke everywhere.
"Fucking hell 3-1, look what they did to our home!" Crowley yelled, his tone mixing his sadness and anger.
"These fuckers…" Garfiel growled.
"Why…? Why would they do this?" Rem cried as she held Subaru.
"That's terrorism…" Al growled. "They don't need reasons."
Few people perked up to these last words as they realized something similar was wandering in their world, people killing for no reason in sheer cold blood.
Subaru grunted in anger but steeled himself as he heard the screams of people up ahead.
"They're not done yet, let's go!" He ordered.
The three of them ran through the smoke, to reach the main plaza.
"What the…That's AK fire!" Crowley shouted.
At Crowley's shout, everyone immediately ran as fast as they could, to see the dread sight they feared most, unfold in front of their very eyes.
"DAMN IT!" shouted Fowler.
People were running away everywhere they could, as men with heavy rifles were shooting them on sight, killing everyone they could find.
Everyone's faces started to change in fear and terror, some in anger and shock at the sight of the massive murder of civilians they ha