Bravo two and Alpha three continued down the cramped corridor, with Price trailing closely behind, passing by the door they were meant to clear. Suddenly, a voice yelled from the other side of the door, shattering the silence.
"THEY'RE OUTSIDE!"
Without hesitation, the man inside fired his automatic rifle through the door, sending a hail of bullets ripping through the thin barrier. Alpha three, caught in the line of fire, went down hard, crying out in pain. Bravo two hit the ground, grabbing his fallen comrade and dragging him away from the deadly onslaught. Price, maintaining his composure, shot the doorknob to force the door partially open and lobbed a flashbang grenade inside.
"AH SHIT!" Garfiel shouted, slamming his fist into his palm in frustration, anger boiling over at the sight of one of the operators getting hit.
"Aaaaah damn it!" Otto winced, instinctively clutching at his own side as if he could feel the sting of the bullet wound. "That's gotta hurt."
"It really had to happen… Damn it!" Crusch muttered under her breath, her earlier deduction about the strategy's flaw now playing out before her eyes. She clenched her fists tightly, her eyes narrowing in a mix of frustration and vindication.
"Since danger was imminent, they began to be on the assault," Rem observed calmly, though her eyes reflected deep concern. "It is just as you said, Crusch-sama."
"Bastards… Fighting fire with fire is a tactic though; I'd have probably done the same," Felt commented, her expression hardening as she stared at the screen. "They aren't that stupid either, uh…"
"He's still alive! He can make it through if they hurry!" Petra's voice wavered with hope, her hands clutching her dress tightly. She didn't want to see one of their team fall, her eyes wide with determination.
"The old man was quick to react; he threw something inside!" Mimi pointed excitedly with her stick, barely containing her energy. "Isn't that the round thingy that explodes?!"
"Wait, a grenade?!" Otto turned quickly to the Pearlbaton twin, his eyes widening in alarm. "Isn't that dangerous in the middle of a house?!"
"I think it was something different," Frederica interjected thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing as she considered the situation. "The shape was different… I believe this one has another function, much like the smoke-spreading ones Subaru-sama used previously."
The tension in the theater was palpable, everyone on edge as they watched the operators' precarious position. Each character's reaction added to the collective anxiety, their shared concern and frustration mirrored on the screen. They were immersed in the scene, feeling the high stakes and desperate moves of the operators.
The flashbang detonated, blinding the occupants of the room. Price wasted no time; he kicked the door open to reveal a man, disoriented and holding his hand forward, shouting, "WAIT!"
"They are blinded! It's a flash one! We saw one in the first viewing!" Felix exclaimed, his ears perking up as the realization dawned on him, refreshing the memory for everyone else.
"I forgot those existed…" Otto sighed in relief, his eyes widening in understanding. "You were right, Frederica-san. I'm so glad he didn't make the building crumble…"
"That'd have been one way to friendly fire everyone in his team…" Ricardo snorted, shaking his head with a wry smile, relieved that it wasn't an explosive grenade.
Emilia, however, was completely focused on the screen, her eyes glued to the unfolding scene. She leaned forward, her breath caught in her throat. "Wait, what is he going to—?"
Her words hung in the air, the room falling silent as everyone's attention was riveted on the screen. The tension was nearly suffocating, each character's anxiety building as they watched the high-stakes situation play out.
"Come on, don't just stand there…" Garfiel muttered, his fists clenched tightly at his sides, the strain visible in the taut muscles of his arms.
"He needs to move fast, or they'll recover," Rem whispered, her voice barely audible, her eyes glued to the screen in anticipation.
"Look, he's going for it!" Petra exclaimed, her voice a mix of fear and hope, her hands clasped tightly as she watched the action unfold.
Price swiftly shot down the man and moved immediately to his right, where another enemy, still dazed from the flashbang, was reaching for his weapon. Price didn't hesitate—he fired, taking the man down.
"..." Emilia barely had time to voice her thoughts before two more lives were snuffed out in an instant.
"There is no remorse to be felt, half-witch," Priscilla's voice cut through the silence, her tone firm and unwavering. For the first time since the viewings began, she addressed Emilia without her usual spite. "Remember, these are the people who kill without any regard for the guilty or innocent. Even from you, they do not deserve pity."
The room fell into a stunned silence, Priscilla's words resonating with an unexpected clarity. It was surprising, not just because of the sentiment but because of the source. Priscilla was right, and even the youngest members felt the truth in her words. Mercy was not on the table for those who had shown none.
"Thank you," Emilia whispered, nodding slightly as she squeezed Subaru's hand. Her eyes were a mix of resolve and sadness, a quiet acknowledgment of the harsh reality they were witnessing.
The atmosphere shifted, Priscilla's uncharacteristic solidarity casting a somber understanding over the room. Survival in this brutal world sometimes meant setting aside compassion, a truth that resonated deeply among those watching.
Garfiel clenched his jaw, his earlier anger replaced by grim determination. "She's right. These bastards don't deserve a second thought."
Price moved cautiously, checking the blind spot in the right corner. Suddenly, the door behind him flew open, and a man charged out, yelling with a pistol raised. Bravo two, covering Price's back from the entry point, reacted instantly, putting the threat down with multiple well-placed shots.
The sudden eruption of gunfire jolted the theater, eyes wide and breaths caught in their throats. The shockwave of action sent a ripple of surprise and fear through the room.
"That was dodgy!" Al grunted, feeling the chill of the sudden scare like many around him. Beside him, Priscilla remained unfazed, her gaze steady and cool as she glanced at her knight, her composure unbroken.
Ricardo wiped his brow, exhaling deeply. "Damn, I didn't expect that… Good thing they're all focused."
"That kinda thing is bad for my heart." Anastasia rubbed at her scarf, visibly displeased that the scene had managed to send a shiver down her spine. She frowned, unhappy with her own reaction.
Emilia's grip on Subaru's hand tightened, her eyes wide with lingering shock. "They were so close… I thought…"
Wilhelm nodded, his gaze steely. "Every moment counts in such dire situations. Their survival hinges on their vigilance."
"Shows how quickly things can turn south," Garfiel muttered, his jaw tight with tension. "Gotta stay on our toes."
"Every second, every decision matters…" Crusch murmured, almost to herself, her mind working through the precarious nature of each tactical choice.
The room settled back into an uneasy quiet, the abrupt reminder of danger leaving a heavy impression. The high stakes and razor-thin margin for error were starkly clear to everyone, from the youngest to the oldest.
Price moved forward to clear another room, finding it empty before returning to the corridor.
"I got you, mate, hang in there." Bravo three was pulling Alpha one back to the stairs, the wounded operator's blood leaving a grim trail on the floor. Though he was still alive, his condition was dire, and the sight of his injury weighed heavily on the viewers.
Expressions of worry and compassion washed over the cast as they watched Alpha one being dragged away, fighting for his life. The shared sense of concern united them in their hope for the wounded soldier's survival.
"That's a lot of blood…" Felix's ears drooped, his eyes reflecting deep concern. "But it's not impossible for him to survive it, nya."
"I hope so," Otto murmured, his empathy evident in his voice. "Poor guy didn't deserve that… I know what it's like to be the unlucky one in the team."
"Ah, stop yer whining!" Garfiel shot back with a hearty laugh. "Yer case ain't even that bad!"
"ARE YOU SURE WE ARE EVEN FRIENDS, GARF?!" Otto's frustration flared, his voice cutting through the tension. Despite the gravity of the situation, the banter brought a brief moment of levity.
Emilia bit her lip, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "It's so unfair. They're just trying to do what's right…"
"Not in the eyes of everyone, Emilia-sama," Crusch responded, her gaze fixed on the screen. "One's right is more often than not another's wrong."
"Yeah, we're still talking about terrorists here, Duchess." Al chimed in, his tone laced with dry humor. "I think the majority would agree on who's right and wrong in this specific case."
"Even with the knowledge of death waiting at every door, they still risk their lives in such situations," Reinhard remarked solemnly, his respect for these men clear in his tone. To fear a mortal wound or death itself was a foreign concept to the Sword Saint, a condition that made him respect those who faced their mortality so directly.
Garfiel clenched his fists, his jaw set. "C'mon, they can't let him die…"
Wilhelm's eyes reflected a mix of admiration and sorrow. "It takes a great deal of bravery to endure such pain. Let us hope his strength carries him through."
The room was heavy with a shared sense of sorrow and hope. Each person felt a connection to the struggle on the screen, their hearts united in their desire for Alpha One's survival. The weight of the scene hung over them, a stark reminder of the cost of bravery and the fragile line between life and death in a world where fate could turn with the squeeze of a trigger.
"All teams, Bravo three. Alpha one is wounded. We need a med-evac now, on the second floor of the building." He spoke through the radio.
"Copy Bravo three, Charlie is on the move." A voice replied.
Price looked back at the stairs where Bravo two and Alpha three waited for him, and continued their way up.
"Bravo two taking point, moving to the third floor."
"Ugh, come on! When does this end?!" Felt voiced her frustration, her voice rising with exasperation. "They're just walking into more and more traps at this point!"
"Patience," Reinhard responded firmly, sensing his lady's growing tension. "We have to trust their instincts. If the enemy can change their strategy, so can they. I believe they will be more on guard now."
"It would be too incompetent of them not to," Crusch added, her tone resolute, trying to instill confidence in the room. "I believe they will not make the same mistake twice."
The room was filled with a collective sense of anxiety and hope, the tension palpable. The frustration among the characters was evident, yet so was their resolve to trust in the operators' abilities on screen.
Felix, struggling to keep his nerves steady, mumbled, "They've got to figure it out soon. This is getting intense… They've already lost one of their own, nya…"
Suddenly, the faint but unmistakable cries of a child pierced through the tense atmosphere. The cast's faces turned pale, horror and dismay settling in as they realized the innocence now caught in the crossfire.
"Wait… Wait, wait, wait!" Rem gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in reflex as soon as she heard the child's cries. "N-no! They must rethink this!"
"...No…!" Emilia's jaw trembled, her voice breaking as she watched the operators slowly move up the stairs. "What are they doing…?! Can't they hear that?!"
"Calm down, Emilia-sama, Rem-sama…" Crusch said, her hand gently resting on Emilia's shoulder, though her own voice was tight with concern. "I believe they can hear it as well as we can…"
"They know what they're doing, right…?" Frederica asked, glancing nervously at her younger brother and Otto, who were as tense as she was. "Right..?"
"Y-yeah…" Otto gulped, his grip tightening on the armrests of his chair. "Come on, they're pros… Come on…"
"...Damn it… don't mess up…" Garfiel's eyes remained locked on the screen, his heartbeat pounding in his chest. He was helpless to do anything but watch.
"Fuckin' hell… That's exactly what I feared…" Felt's eyes narrowed, her teeth gritted in anger. "Kids always end up caught in the crossfire."
"My lady… These men know what they are doing," Reinhard tried to reassure her, though his own unease was creeping in. He couldn't shake the sense of looming danger.
"Yeah… I hope so, Rein…" Felt replied, her voice heavy with doubt.
"That is no place to raise a child," Priscilla spat out, her expression twisted with disgust. "These scums keep reaching new lows."
Anastasia and Julius remained silent, both too caught up in the gravity of the situation to offer words of comfort. They stood in quiet anticipation, bracing themselves for whatever outcome would follow, neither optimistic or pessimistic.
As if preparing for any eventuality.
"They will kill you!" A woman's voice, filled with anger, could be heard from the room.
"I swore an oath… I will not betray the wolf," a man replied, sounding dejected but resolute.
"Then let me help! I don't want to be here if you're gone!"
"You must hide, for the baby! Now come on, let me go!"
"Danny…! Danny, please!"
"Come on, listen to him, you damn idiot!" Petra shouted, her voice cracking with frustration and desperation. She was perched on the edge of her seat, her face flushed with anger. "There is a baby in there!"
"Wait… Don't tell me he's the father of that child…" Felt's eyes widened in horror, her hands flying up to cover her mouth. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. "You fucking…!"
"He's ready to die for an oath rather than think of his child's safety…?" Anastasia whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief. Her eyes were fixed on the screen, her frown deepening with every second. "How can someone be so selfish?"
"Some people just don't deserve to be parents, uh…" Ricardo spat out, his voice thick with contempt. He looked away, unable to hide his disgust. "Scumbags." His jaw clenched, his fists balled tightly as he tried to keep his emotions in check.
The room was heavy with tension and frustration. Each person was grappling with a mix of anger and sorrow, their emotions running high as they processed the grim reality unfolding before them.
"I said let me go! They're here!" the man's voice called out, filled with urgency.
"Take your shots," Price ordered, understanding that there was a child and potentially innocent civilians involved. His voice was calm but carried the weight of the situation.
The operators reached the floor, with Bravo two heading for the first door alongside Alpha three, while Price positioned himself by the door where the voices were coming from.
As soon as they cleared the first room, Alpha three moved to cover the stairs leading to the next floor, while Bravo two took position in front of Price.
Bravo two kicked the door open, and Price rushed in.
"No…! No, no, no! Wait…! Please, wait! Please not my baby, please!" The woman screamed, running to the cradle to scoop her baby into her arms. She extended a hand forward, desperately trying to shield her child and plead for mercy.
The theater was plunged into a deafening silence, every viewer holding their breath. The tension was almost unbearable as they watched the woman's frantic attempt to protect her crying baby. The entire cast was on edge, their hearts racing as they witnessed the woman's desperate dash.
"SHE'S PICKING IT UP?! WHY IS SHE—" Otto yelled, his voice filled with panic. His eyes were wide with disbelief, and his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "DAMN IT!"
"Don't tell me she's trying to use it as a reason for them not to shoot…" Hetaro said, his face contorted in horror as he nervously glanced between the screen and Ricardo. "That's not it, right…?"
"W-why would they even shoot her?! She's unarmed!" Tivey's voice trembled with confusion and distress. He was visibly agitated, his gaze fixed on the screen as if willing the scene to change.
"Calm down, you two…" Ricardo sighed heavily, trying to soothe the rising panic in the room. He turned his eyes back to the screen, his expression a mix of concern and resignation. "I think… She just panicked and instinctively rushed to her kid."
"That might just be it…" Frederica nodded slowly, her eyes still focused on the screen. Her face softened with understanding, though worry remained etched in her features. "She's still trying to protect it, after all."
The room was filled with a tense silence as everyone processed the scene. Emotions were raw, and the mixture of fear and concern was palpable. A newborn caught in such chaos was too much for them to bear, even after all they had seen.
Bravo two stepped forward and gently pushed the woman's shoulder, urging her to sit down. "Stay down!" he commanded, his voice firm but not unkind.
A collective sigh of relief swept through the theater as the tension slightly eased. The cast's tight grips and clenched jaws relaxed a bit, comforted by the fact that the soldiers merely ordered the woman to stay down, sparing her and the baby from immediate harm.
She continued weeping as her baby's cries grew louder. Price turned his attention to the other door—where the man she had been talking to was hiding—and kicked it open.
The man, positioned behind a wall, peeked out to see the door open and made a frantic dash to hide under the nearby bed while aiming to shoot at Price. But Price was quicker. He rushed forward, catching the man as he tried to crawl under the bed. Price yanked him out, forcibly turned him over, and delivered a solid punch to his face, sending him sprawling to the ground as his weapon clattered away.
Price swiftly kicked the weapon aside and dropped a knee into the man's back, pinning him down as he secured his wrists behind him with zip ties.
"You really think that's a place for a kid to grow?" Price growled, his voice seething with contempt as the man squirmed beneath him.
"WAY TO GO, OLD MAN!" Garfiel roared, nearly leaping out of his seat. His voice boomed through the theater, a thunderous mix of excitement and rage. "SHOW THAT BASTARD HOW IT'S DONE!"
"...Y-YEAH! THAT'S THE WAY!" Otto echoed, his own outburst driven more by relief than by cheering for the captain. He waved his arms, his face flushed with mixed emotions.
"That's it! Kick him down!" Felt shouted, her fingers tapping impatiently on her armrest. Her eyes were locked on the screen, anticipation and fierce determination written all over her face. "That little shit!"
"Having him gone wouldn't have been an issue either," Anastasia exhaled sharply, her tone cold and unyielding, her eyes reflecting a bitter satisfaction at seeing the man subdued.
"I believe the situation could have been more traumatizing for the woman already trying to shelter her child if she had to see the father die in front of her eyes, Anastasia-sama," Julius responded, his calm, rational tone cutting through the tension. He recognized the anger in Anastasia's words and gently redirected the conversation to a more thoughtful perspective.
"In the end, I would say their goal is not necessarily to kill everyone…" Crusch mused, resting her chin thoughtfully on her hand. Her gaze was analytical, assessing the broader implications. "So it makes sense to capture those who can be captured."
"I mean, they didn't really give a chance to anyone in the beginning…" Ricardo noted, nodding along with Crusch's observation, though his voice carried a hint of skepticism. Crusch acknowledged with a shrug, understanding the complexities at play.
"In the first situation, it was difficult to apprehend anyone. There were multiple armed hostiles ready to fire. Here, there was a clear opportunity." Crusch's voice was steady, her assessment practical and grounded in the reality of the scene.
"She has a point," Mimi agreed, her gaze still fixed on the screen. Her expression was thoughtful, recognizing the tactical nuances in play.
The room buzzed with a mix of tension and reflection, each person wrestling with the intensity of the scene and the strategies unfolding before them.
Once the man was secured, Price turned on his radio. "Bravo six, third floor clear. Two hostiles restrained, and a babe secured. Alpha three, get in here and watch over 'em with Bravo two."
"Copy, Captain," Alpha three replied, moving to switch places with Price. In the corridor, he saw Bravo three approaching from the stairs.
"Alpha one is secured by the rest of the team; he'll pull through," Bravo three informed Price, offering some much-needed reassurance.
"Aaah, thank goodness…" Otto sighed in relief, his tense shoulders finally relaxing. His face, which had been tight with worry, softened into an expression of genuine gratitude. "Finally, some good news."
Garfiel, who had been fidgeting with agitation, couldn't help but break into a wide grin. His relief was clear, the tension in his posture melting away. "Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with satisfaction. "Job done, and the good guys alive!"
Felt leaned back in her seat, a small sigh escaping her as she tried to process the shift in the scene. Her eyes softened slightly, and she nodded approvingly. "That's a bit of a relief."
Ricardo allowed himself to relax a bit, though his eyes remained sharply focused on the screen. His voice was a blend of relief and cautious optimism. "Let's hope things continue to go smoothly from here on… This should be close to the finish line by now, right?"
"That's a house, not a damn tower!" Hetaro chimed in, his voice tinged with weariness from the ongoing tension.
"If I remember correctly, they should be around the last floor…" Tivey mused aloud, trying to recall the layout they had seen earlier.
The room filled with a collective sense of relief and cautious hope. The anticipation of finally reaching the end of this harrowing mission hung in the air. Soon, they would see the conclusion of this tense and dangerous operation.
"Rog. On me then, one last floor," Price confirmed, taking point with Bravo three right behind him. The operators prepared for the final push, and the theater braced for what they hoped would be the end of this house of horrors.
"Bravo six taking point, moving to the fourth floor."
"That's the last one…" Al muttered, leaning forward in his seat, his posture rigid and expectant. His eyes were locked onto the screen, reflecting his intense focus and anticipation. "Let's see how this ends…"
"They say the last enemy is the most dangerous," Felix commented, his voice tight with the pressure of the moment. Concern etched his features, and the weight of the tension in the room was palpable. "I hope they are prepared…"
"Not necessarily because of strength, however, Felix-dono," Wilhelm added, his tone calm yet contemplative. Adjusting his glasses, he reflected on the situation. "Rather, it is because the last enemy is backed into a corner. In that state, they're prepared to do whatever it takes…" His words carried a heavy understanding of desperation and the unpredictability of a cornered foe.
The atmosphere in the theater grew thick with anticipation and unease. All eyes were glued to the screen, breaths held as they braced for the resolution of this high-stakes encounter. The collective anxiety was evident, each person grappling with the grim reality of confronting a cornered adversary.
As the operators ascended the stairs, they heard another voice—a single woman's panicked cries. "Come on… Where did I put it?!"
Price took aim at the door, while Bravo three tried the handle, finding it stuck.
"It's locked…" Bravo three grunted, frustration creeping into his voice.
The woman inside gasped, her frantic voice rising in pitch as she heard the door rattling. "COME ON! WHERE IS IT?! WHERE THE HELL IS IT?!"
"Well, that's it for the surprise effect," Al grunted, his frustration clear.
"It doesn't look too good…" Rem murmured softly, her eyes filled with worry. "They have to hurry up…"
"I got it, switch it up." Price moved Bravo three aside, grabbing a crowbar from his pack. "Try to take them alive," he instructed, his voice steady despite the tension.
Positioning the crowbar at the level of the doorknob, he pulled back forcefully until the door cracked open.
Bravo three immediately dashed in, followed by Price, guns drawn. They aimed at a woman who turned to look at them with wide eyes, then slowly raised her hands.
"Get down! Get down now!" Bravo three ordered, moving closer as the woman took cautious steps backward, her hands trembling in the air.
"Don't shoot! Please, don't shoot!" she pleaded, her voice quivering as she repeatedly glanced back over her shoulder.
"This is not right…!" Crusch's voice cut through the tension, her eyes narrowing with suspicion as she scrutinized the scene. "She's looking at something…"
"It's a damn trap!" Felt shouted, her face contorting with alarm as she slapped her armrest in frustration. Her eyes widened in horror, her breath catching as she anticipated the danger. "They're walking right into it!"
"They shouldn't take any risks after going this far." Priscilla huffed, snapping her fan shut with a sharp motion. Her expression was one of irritation and frustration, her gaze cold and calculating. "Do what you have to do."
The cast collectively held their breath, the rising dread thick in the air as they watched the situation teeter on the edge of danger. The sense of urgency was palpable, everyone on edge as they anticipated the potentially perilous turn of events.
"Stop! Right fuckin' now!" Bravo three continued to shout, moving closer but noting how the woman kept looking back and edging away.
"I said stop!" Bravo three yelled one last time, stepping forward to tackle her. But as he lunged, the woman spun around abruptly, her hand reaching for the table.
In a split second, Price fired, the shot hitting her in the head. She collapsed, her body slumping face-first against the table before crumpling to the ground.
The theater fell into a heavy silence, the air thick with unease and grim acceptance. The cast grappled with the harsh truth that sometimes, ruthless actions were necessary to ensure safety.
"...What was she even trying to do?" Reinhard whispered, his voice tinged with disbelief. He shook his head slowly, his expression a mix of sorrow and frustration. "You could have lived…"
"Whatever that was, I can guarantee you it was no good." Felt sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging under the weight of the scene. Her face was conflicted, her gaze distant as she tried to reconcile the death of the unarmed civilian. "I'm not sure if it's alright to feel this relieved… but, in the end, it was necessary."
The screen pulled back from Price's perspective, showing the entire room in stark detail. Bravo three lowered his gun and approached the desk, searching for whatever the woman had been trying to grab. Meanwhile, Price scanned the room, spotting a turned-on laptop on another table, its screen still flickering with activity.
The tension in the theater remained high, each character acutely aware of how close they had come to a potentially deadly oversight. The grim resolve on their faces reflected the sobering reality that sometimes the line between right and necessary blurred into a grey area where survival took precedence over all else.
Price stepped closer to the laptop screen, eyes scanning over documents and maps written in both Arabic and English. The screen displayed a town in Syria, next to a hospital, marked clearly with strategic annotations.
"Bloody hell…" Bravo three muttered, his voice edged with frustration. Price turned to look at him, sensing the gravity of what they had uncovered.
"She was going for a damn detonator…" Bravo three revealed, holding up the device. Price moved in closer, inspecting the object and recognizing it as a trigger for an explosive.
"Good thing we dropped her then," Price grunted, setting the laptop back on the table with a grim nod of affirmation.
"Here. I knew it." Felt clicked her tongue in frustration, her expression one of exasperation and anger. "She was about to take the whole building down." Her eyes remained glued to the screen, filled with a mix of disbelief and fury at the lengths these extremists were willing to go.
"How far will these fanatics even go…?" Mimi's voice carried a faint growl, her glare fixed on the screen as she struggled to contain her anger. "This is really their own version of the witch cult." Her small fists clenched tightly, embodying her frustration with the extremism they were witnessing.
"They have no regard for life…" Tivey said, his voice trembling with shock and disbelief. The cold, calculating intent to blow up the entire building—potentially killing everyone inside, including the baby—was beyond his comprehension. "How can you even live like that?" His head shook slowly, eyes wide as he absorbed the gravity of the situation.
"That's having your back against the wall for ya," Ricardo said, patting Tivey's shoulder with a somber understanding. His tone acknowledged the madness that desperation could drive people to. "Those kinds of situations make you go crazy."
"That's… Cynical," Crusch observed, her gaze fixed on Price's impassive face. Her expression reflected a blend of concern and disapproval, noting the captain's calmness amid such grim scenarios.
"He's really used to this, huh…" Emilia murmured softly, leaning closer to Subaru's still form. Her voice was tinged with resignation as she drew a parallel between Price's situation and Subaru's own experiences. "Just like you, Subaru." The weight of her words lingered, a poignant reminder of the harsh realities they all had to face.
"Captain?" Bravo three's voice broke through, his eyes darting between Price and the laptop.
"We got a location on the wolf," Price confirmed, turning the screen toward Bravo three, who quickly noticed the map and the critical intel displayed alongside it.
"Fuckin' finally," Bravo three sighed in relief, the tension visibly draining from his posture.
"All teams, the building is clear. Suspects down, and intel on AQ retrieved," Price reported into the radio, folding the laptop and taking it with him as Bravo three followed.
"So… They got what they came for? They know where the enemy is?" Otto perked up, his eyes bright with renewed hope. He leaned forward in his seat, eager for any sign of a positive turn.
"It seems like it…" Julius said, narrowing his eyes as he studied the scene intently. His voice held a mix of relief and determination. "They found the wolf." He gestured toward the screen, where the figure of the main enemy, the leader of the fanatics, was coming into focus. "The main enemy and leader of this whole group."
"They have to hurry up then!" Felt exclaimed, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her frustration mingled with a sense of urgency, her focus unyielding as she watched the screen. "The sooner that guy is down, the better." Her tension was palpable, her eyes locked on the unfolding developments, hoping for a swift end to the threat.
The room collectively held its breath, the atmosphere thick with a mix of anticipation and urgency. All eyes were fixed on the screen, each person keenly aware of the stakes and the desperate need to neutralize the threat swiftly.
The screen went dark momentarily, then lit up again, displaying the laptop's screen in full. A message was visible, marked as sent, followed by an IP address.
"The attic of the Al-Qatala townhouse was a goldmine. We retrieved valuable intel about their operations across the entire country, and also a location on the Wolf himself," Laswell's voice narrated over the images flashing on the screen.
The view shifted to a world map, zooming in on the Middle East where "Syria" was highlighted, and then further into a specific city, with one building circled in red.
"Communications from the laptop were traced to a hospital in Ramaza, right in Syria. It has been fortified by Al-Qatala and is believed to be housing the leader of the movement," Laswell continued, as various pictures of the hospital and the wolf appeared on the screen.
"That's it, they're cornered," Reinhard said quietly, his eyes fixed on the screen. His voice carried both hope and caution, recognizing the importance of capturing the leader in such a stronghold.
"Now they know where to strike," Crusch added, her expression firm with resolve. "Let's just hope they're prepared for what's to come."
The characters watched intently, the mission's conclusion within sight but fraught with danger. Each of them understood that the final confrontation would be the most perilous yet, and all they could do was hope that Price and his team were ready for whatever lay ahead.
"Syria…? Isn't this where Subaru-kun is?!" Rem's voice was laced with alarm, her finger pointing urgently at the screen. Her wide eyes brimmed with concern as she recognized the location immediately.
"Will we go back to Subaru-sama then?" Petra asked, her face a mixture of anxiety and hope. She was torn between feeling relieved at the thought of seeing Subaru again and terrified by the potential dangers he might face.
"Looks like this old man got the information the captain needed to get going!" Garfiel quickly pieced it together, his voice edged with satisfaction. His brow furrowed as he continued, "Doesn't that make that Farah girl useless now?" He crossed his arms, clearly irritated at the idea that prior efforts might have been in vain.
"Her support might still help… That will require another raid," Otto responded, examining the plans on screen with a critical eye. His tone was measured, recognizing that even with the new intel, there was still value in the original strategy.
"A hospital…? They turned a place of healing into a fortress?!" Felix exclaimed, his voice filled with horror and disbelief. His principles as a healer clashed painfully with the disturbing reality displayed on the screen. "This goes against everything we stand for…"
"Dogs have no rules. They do as they please, and plague the world around them with their disease," Priscilla sneered, her tone icy and bitter. Her narrowed eyes reflected her growing disdain. "Each of these viewings simply makes me more eager to see them die in atrocious deaths." Her words were laced with a deepening anger, her contempt for the fanatics palpable.
The screen zoomed out to show an overhead map of the city.
"Thanks to Echo's intervention on the ground, Barkov's base was taken out, and Russian forces had to retreat from the city after the rebels launched an offensive. Without support, ground troops had no chance: Ramaza was completely cleared of Russian troops."
"Well, that's some good news," Al commented, a slight smile of relief spreading across his face as he leaned back in his seat. His posture visibly relaxed, the tension from earlier slowly ebbing away.
"Good riddance," Hetaro huffed, a mix of satisfaction and disdain in his voice. He shook his head as if to dispel the lingering negativity. "These guys were just horrible." His tone carried a note of disapproval, echoing the relief that such a threat had been removed.
"So their operation was fruitful…" Crusch smiled with satisfaction, her eyes reflecting a sense of achievement. "Good."
"Farah's troops will begin to track terror activities around the hospital, while a Marine ground force will be mobilized to advance into the complex and secure the wolf," Laswell continued, the screen showing images of the Marines and their insignia, a fierce-looking dog.
"Marines…? Weren't those Natsuki-kun's military group seen in the past?" Anastasia recalled, her eyes narrowing as she tried to connect the dots. She leaned forward slightly, her mind working through the implications from previous viewings.
"Indeed…" Crusch nodded thoughtfully, her expression shifting to one of curiosity and anticipation. The mention of the Marines stirred her memory of Subaru's past.
"Oh, so that unit should be at its peak now since it was 5 years ago, right?" Tivey's smile widened with excitement, clearly thrilled by the prospect of seeing a more advanced version of the Marines. His enthusiasm was infectious, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"That's… So exciting!" Mimi exclaimed, her small frame practically bouncing in her seat. Her eyes were bright, her hands clasped together in eager anticipation of the upcoming developments.
"Cap'n will definitely be leading them! If it's them, they'll know he's the only one who can be the chief!" Garfiel's voice was filled with confidence and pride, his unwavering faith in Subaru's leadership shining through. He looked almost ready to leap from his seat, driven by his belief in Subaru's capabilities.
"Come on, Garf. We haven't seen them for a while, and Natsuki-kun is part of another military group now. They probably already have their own hierarchy," Otto reasoned, his tone calm but firm as he gently reminded Garfiel of the current reality.
"Your excitement is normal, Garfiel, but Otto-sama is right," Frederica said with a soft chuckle, her eyes warm with understanding. She placed a comforting hand on Garfiel's shoulder, acknowledging his excitement while gently grounding him in the present circumstances.
The theater buzzed with a renewed sense of anticipation and hope, but also with the lingering tension of what was to come. The sight of the fortified hospital and the mention of the Marines brought a complex mix of emotions to the surface, each character bracing themselves for the next chapter of this unfolding story. They knew that the endgame was near, and all they could do was hope that the final push would see the right outcome.
A picture of Subaru popped up on the screen.
"Echo will lead a squadron of the marines and capture the Wolf for interrogation…We have no room for failures here. So we'll give them all the support they need."
"AAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Garfiel's triumphant laughter erupted through the theater, a loud and joyous noise that echoed off the walls. He pointed emphatically at the screen, his face alight with a mix of triumph and glee. "I TOLD YA!" His voice was a mix of victorious gloating and disbelief.
His grin was broad and infectious as he turned to his friends and sister, clearly reveling in the moment. "See? I knew Cap'n would be in charge! Just look at him leading the marines like we expected!"
Otto rolled his eyes but couldn't help a small, begrudging smile. "Alright, alright, Garf. You were right…"
Frederica chuckled softly, shaking her head at Garfiel's antics. "You've always had such faith in Subaru-sama's abilities," she said, her tone affectionate yet amused. "It's nice to see that your confidence was well-placed."
"It was nothing unpredictable…!" Petra almost pouted. She too thought from the get go that Subartu would be leading the assault once more. She just didn't voice it loudly immediately.
The screen then slowly turned black, showing a picture of Subaru and a picture of the wolf side by side.
"So they aren't going to take him out…They will capture him." Crusch shook her head, a look of concern etched on her face. "I cannot help but think this is a bad idea."
"Indeed." Priscilla's tone was sharp as she responded to Crusch's comment. "The sooner the head of the snake is cut, the sooner the body shall die. They are putting themselves in jeopardy by sparing him."
"Hey, see it from their point of view… Right now, this old dude is their best source of information about this entire group's plans. It makes sense they would try to interrogate him, no?" Al's tone was surprisingly measured, considering the usual friction between him and Priscilla. To everyone's surprise, Priscilla didn't immediately shoot him down.
"I agree with ya," Ricardo said, crossing his arms and nodding thoughtfully. "I won't say I want him alive, but capturing him isn't a bad call either. The man's gotta know stuff."
"That will be interesting for sure… But that fight ain't going to be easy at all," Anastasia mused, her expression serious. "If it's the head of the whole thing, they will fight hell and beyond to preserve him."
"...I believe this is why Subaru Natsuki was put at the head of this operation, my lady." Julius sighed deeply. "He might be the only one stupid enough to face such fanatics."
"In our world and theirs," Anastasia snorted, agreeing with Julius's assessment.
"Aren't we also forgetting another crucial part…?" Felix waited a moment before speaking, "Subaru-kyun was there to look for that thing…"
"The gas..!" Otto perked up, "that's true!"
"You know, there's even something else that's interesting out of all this," Felt mused aloud, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Big bro's the one on the case, right? Didn't it seem like he had some personal things to settle with that wolf guy?"
The cast exchanged thoughtful glances, each person considering Felt's observation about Subaru's personal stake in confronting the mysterious wolf. There was clearly more to this story, and it seemed like answers might be on the horizon.
"...The next viewing might be way more revealing than it seems…" Reinhard's voice was contemplative, agreeing with the sentiment that there was deeper intrigue to come.
Before you ask, no, that chapter was definitely not worth the time. It's my bad for losing motivation, and I'm sorry.
For what's next, I'm sure you noticed I did some changes here and there in the chapter from the original campaign. As you know I've taken many liberties already, and this is one of them. Typically, operators always try to capture as much combatants as they can rather than go for a full killing sweep, so I wanted to keep that spirit in here. Plus, I have changed the name of Urzikstan back to Syria. It was just too silly to take the fake name, and it didn't make much sense in the end...So in the future, you'll see Syria being mentionned instead of Urzikstan.
The next chapter will not take so much time, that I can garantee. If possible, I would like to properly be consistent again with Re:Modern Warfare so I can focus on Dragon's Candidate again...It's been too long since that one got any update, and that's my main story for hell's sake.
I went into tremendous lenghts and sessions of research on Thesaurus for this chapter, so I really hope you guys can leave me a review telling me if they prefer this new rich writing or if they were fine with the very...Well, midly-experienced-writer one of before.
I hope you enjoyed the read. See you around for chapter 7 folks, where we'll finally be getting into interesting stuff.
-Archer.