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alexboehm55144 · 3 years

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Alex Final Wars 2: Dark Alex, Chapter 39 - Before The Storm

"So what did you guys get out of the stuff we pulled from that Chinese base? One that was apparently supposed to be impenetrable." Nick asked before muttering to himself. "Heh, they were no match for this sly fox."

"We went to hell and back to get that stuff," Judy said.

"Thing is… we don't know yet," Jack responded. "There was a lot of information on those maps and papers you guys pulled. It will take time for the eggheads to go through it all."

"I have to say I really respect the analysts," Skye noted. "I mean, how much stuff have they looked at from just Heroes alone?"

The four mammals were sitting in Jack and Skye's Aston Martin as they drove through the busy Zootopian streets. Nick and Judy were in the back seats while the two ZIA agents sat upfront. All around the car, mammals moved and went about their business as the city entered the evening. Most mammals were probably heading home as the sky began to dim. While others were getting ready for a night on the town.

"You guys over at Heroes have recovered a ton of intelligence throughout this war." Jack said, "Servers, documents, maps. Knowledge is power."

"Yeah, that is true," Judy responded. "I can't believe how much action we've seen. This is a lot more than a normal day at the ZPD."

"Hey, sometimes things are pretty action-packed at the ZPD," Nick said. "There's a lot of dangerous crooks and thieves out there. Though none of them as crafty and talented as this sly fox."

This got a chuckle out of Judy.

"And here we are!" Jack said.

The car pulled into a parking lot of a one-story building with Japanese architecture. The walls were made of white-colored stone with wooden support pillars, covered by a pagoda-style roof made of matte green tiles. Mounted on the front wall was a red and white light-up sign that said:

"Tanukchi, Japanese Grill."

"Well, we'll certainly be eating good tonight!" Nick said, the four mammals stepping out of the car.

"Isn't this place pretty high-end?" Skye asked. "How did you get a reservation?"

"Well… heh…" a slightly mischievous look crossed Judy's face. "I may have let it slip that we were brave ZPD officers, and you two were selfless ZIA agents."

"Clever bunny," Nick said.

"And… I may have also mentioned that we were war heroes."

Sky and Jack laughed.

"Well, at least you got us a nice dinner," Jack said before the group headed inside the restaurant.

Inside the building, the walls were made of wood and paper, resembling traditional Japanese walls. However, there were also support pillars made of marble-like, red-colored rock with messy streaks of white running through it. A short distance from the two glass doors was a desk made out of bamboo, behind which was a fish tank teeming with aquatic life. The entire restaurant was filled with the sounds of people chatting and the metal clang of cooking equipment being used.

"Reservation for Hopps," Judy said to the fox behind the desk, prompting the mammal to check her computer.

"Hopps…. Ah! Right, this way!" The fox said, grabbing four menus and leading the two couples into the dining area. There were 4 grills, 2 for smaller mammals, 2 for larger mammals, set up in the dining area, each surrounded by stained wooden chairs. Above each grill was a vent to the outside. On the walls of the room were paintings of trees and natural landscapes.

The waitress handed out menus as the group sat down at a grill for smaller mammals. "Would you like to order your drinks now?"

Nick got a soda while Jack went for an ice tea. Judy had carrot juice, and Skye got water. The fox waitress left to get their drinks and appetizers.

"You know, it kind of surprises me how quickly life has got back to normal here," Skye said. The fox looked around at the families and groups laughing and enjoying their meals. "You would never have thought that a short time ago, this city was under assault by the Chinese military."

"I know," Judy said. "It's almost like a distant memory to everyone. But I suppose they're just looking ahead towards a brighter future."

"And the future is bright," Jack said. "We're really pressing hard on the PLA now. But regarding what you said, there are plans to make a memorial to commemorate the Chinese attacks on the city. The full-scale assault, the airship strike, and the concert."

"Well, I hope that helps the citizens of Zootopia remember what happened. And that we must be vigilant against those who want to hurt us."

"Hmm… well, we should get some fried rice," Nick said, perusing over the menu.

"Heh, thinking with your stomach, I see." Judy chuckled.

"I agree," Jack responded. "let's get some fried rice."

The waitress returned with drinks, as well as salads and miso soups for everyone. She also took their orders for meals.

"A chef will be with you shortly."

The waitress left, and the group began to enjoy their appetizers.

"Wow, this is really good," Jack said, trying the salad.

"Hopps told me this place is highly rated," Nick said, sipping the soup. "You did a good job getting us this reservation."

"I agree." Skye said, "thank you, Judy."

Judy smiled "aww, guys are too sweet."

A few moments later, a tanuki wearing a traditional chef's uniform came over to the grill with a small cart of ingredients and tools.

"Hello! Welcome!" The chef said, going over the group's order. "Let's get started!"

The tanuki started up the grill and began to cook the various vegetables for the fried rice. Skye took out her phone and captured the exciting moment in a video while the chef performed tricks. He spun his spatula and tools around in his hand and juggled an egg for the rice.

The chef then set up an onion volcano, filled it with edible oils, and lit it on fire. A tower of flame shot out of the small volcano, eliciting gasps from the officers and agents watching the show.

"Dinner and a show," Skye said.

The tanuki chef finished the fried rice, taking a small portion of the rice on his spatula and launching it in the air towards Jack. The rabbit opened his mouth to catch it, but it just bounced off his nose onto the floor.

The chef tried again, & this time Jack caught the portion of rice in his mouth. All the while, the other mammals laughed and watched the spectacle.

The tanuki then launched a portion of rice at Nick, who managed to catch it in his mouth on the first try.

Judy laughed clapped a little as Nick looked smug that he got it first try.

"We should hang out more often," Jack said as the chef began to serve the fried rice.

"I agree. It's just that we've been busy lately." Nick chimed in. "But when the four of us hang out, it's always fun."

000

"Come on, Toothdee, you'll enjoy it!" Laval said. "Arcades are fun. Although in Chima the arcades are usually less tech-savvy… but… same principles apply."

"I don't know…." Toothdee said, looking over some maps and papers in her room. "The end of this war is in sight, and I want to focus on my work so we can make the final decisive push to end this conflict once and for all."

"Hey, we've got them on the backfoot." Eris said, "besides, we're on shore leave right now. It's not the time to work. It's time to rest and recuperate."

"Yeah, you can't just keep fighting constantly. Evening though I do think that would be fun, you'll get worn out." Laval noted.

"Oh, alright, fine." The Heroes commander said, getting up from her desk and grabbing her phone and wallet. "Let's go."

"Great!" Eris said. "Laval spotted a place just down the road, within walking distance."

"Well, lead the way, Laval."

The trio left the typhoon and headed out of the guarded compound where the airship landed. The landing zone was in the city, giving Heroes good access to any part of Zootopia they needed to reach in the event of an emergency.

However it was not right in the center of the city, instead situated near the airport. This was to avoid buildings acting as flying obstructions and to cut down on noise pollution.

"You guys really love exploring Zootopia, don't you? Getting out and seeing the sights." Toothdee said as they walked.

"Totally!" Eris said. "It's a gorgeous city. I can see why Nick and Judy love it here."

"Yeah, I love exploring, so it's great to get a whole new city to explore!"

After a few minutes of walking, the group arrived at a building with big glass windows and a bright blue sign that said "arcade" on the front.

The inside of the building was dark, lit mainly through light from gaming machines. The air was filled with the sounds of said machines. Various boops and chimes were used to attract customer's attention. The floor was covered in a dark blue carpet, and a tired-looking mountain lion sat at a desk near the door.

The trio walked over to the desk, and the mountain lion didn't flinch upon seeing an evolved eagle.

"Hi, can we each get a card with $30 on it, please?" Toothdee said, "that seems reasonable, right?"

"Works for me," Eris said.

Each member of the group took out the required money and placed it on the counter. The cashier nodded and quickly transferred the money to 3 plastic cards that could be used to purchase games from the machines.

"Thank you," Laval said, the group heading towards the machines.

"What are you going to play first?" Toothdee asked.

"Uh… hm, well, I've seen this before," Laval said, walking over to a skeeball machine. "Now Chima does have games like this."

"I'll play against you!" Eris said, standing in front of a second Skee-ball device next to Laval.

"Alright! Your on!"

The couple slid their cards through readers on the machines, and balls were dispensed in return. As the two started rolling the hard plastic skeeballs down the length of the device, Toothdee went to examine some other games.

She spotted an arcade game with a large screen, and fake plastic guns hooked up to it. Across the top of the machine were the words "Terminator" along with a scary-looking robot head. Toothdee went over to the arcade machine and paid for a game before picking up one of the weapons. She could also keep her skills sharp while having fun.

The young warrior selected a level and began. Terminator robots appeared on screen and engaged. But toothdee fired the toy weapon at the screen, and the terminators in-game were struck down by gunfire.

As her character continued to move through the game world, gunning down robots, toothdee heard Laval and Eris behind her.

"Yes!" The eagle said. "I win! Don't worry, I know you let me win on purpose."

"I thought YOU were going to let ME win." Laval chuckled.

The pair came over to watch Toothdee, who continued to gun down terminators, even as her own player character took damage. Eventually, a game over screen appeared, and toothdee put the plastic toy gun back down on the machine.

"You know what's funny is most of the stuff here we can do for real," Laval said. "That motorcycle racing game over there? I can just hop on my speedor. That game you were playing where you shoot robots? You could just get a gun and charge into battle!"

"Heh, well, why don't you do that then?" Toothdee asked.

"Well, fighting can be fun. But it's nice just to do it… what's the word I'm looking for… Fictitiously! Without any worries, where you just have to get points."

"Alright, I can understand that. Now, what do you want to play next?" Toothdee said, turning towards the rows of game cabinets. "You guys were right. It is good to get out and relax once in a while."

000

Haida looked at a map on his phone and struggled to figure out where he was in relation to the roads and structures on the map.

"I'm telling you it's this way," Fabienne said, pointing down a roadway. "Trust me, I know this city."

"But it looks like it's this way on the map!" Haida said, pointing down a different street."

"It's not! Your just looking at it wrong!"

"Retsuko, what do you think?"

The red panda, who had been patiently watching the two argue, looked at Haida's phone. The hyena smirked, expecting his girlfriend to agree with him. Plus, he was pretty confident his examination of the map was correct.

"Hmmm…." Retsuko said, "I think Fabienne is right."

Haida's jaw dropped while Fabienne smirked.

"Alright then, this way."

The snow leopard started walking down the street, Haida and Retsuko in tow.

Haida looked a bit down that he was wrong, but Retsuko gave him a playful jab to cheer him up.

Eventually, the group arrived at a large stone building situated by the coast. The American flag was flying on a pole outside. There was a large wooden sign reading "Zootopia World War 2 Museum."

"Told you," Fabienne said.

The trio went inside, where a bunny attendant was waiting in a booth near the entrance.

"Hi! 3 please, general admission." Retsuko said.

The trio paid for their tickets and entered the museum, which was not very crowded. The rooms were filled with equipment, posters, flags, pictures, all from the Second World War.

Pictures of troopers in combat. Guns those soldiers would have used. Maps of the battle formations they would have been in.

Retsuko and Haida went over to a giant wall of black marble. Upon which were carved the names of soldiers from Zootopia who had distinguished themselves in combat during WW2. Above the wall was a black and white mural of US Soldiers of many different species.

Fabienne was busy looking at an exhibit about war correspondents during the Second World War. There was an old camera on display, articles published by war reporters, and photographs of correspondents. This sort of thing was right up her alley.

"It's amazing how much we've progressed," Fabienne said, looking at old photography equipment. She spotted an old camera that was a lot bigger than her phone and probably could only photograph in black and white.

The snow leopard moved on to a small exhibit that contained mannequins of different mammals in combat gear. There was a small video screen playing a video comparing the biological system of various mammals as soldiers.

"Humans make the best soldiers." Said a disembodied voice on the video, as the picture changed to show a human soldier on a long trek in the desert. "They have unmatched endurance and survival skills. Not to mention their skills in combat have been continuously refined and improved over millennia, in the many wars and battles fought by humans."

"Maybe that's why a human is the leader of Heroes," Fabienne asked herself.

"This does not mean other species are incapable of waging war. Many other types of mammals serve in specialist roles."

A picture of a Russian polar bear in arctic camouflage appeared on the screen as the announcer continued.

"Polar bears and other arctic mammals make good soldiers for sub-zero environments."

The screen changed again, showing a picture of a cheetah soldier.

"While cheetahs and Pronghorns make good couriers, depending on the distance being traveled."

The snow leopard found this fascinating. Every species was unique in some way.

The ZNN reporter moved to rejoin Haida and Retsuko. They were looking at an exhibit about imperial Japan and the war in the pacific.

"Wow, look at that," Retsuko said, examining a model of a US aircraft carrier.

Haida and Fabienne looked at a map of battle formations around an island, complete with pictures of soldiers.

One photo showed Japanese troops digging trenches around the island as defenses. Another picture showed US pilots getting into planes and preparing to launch from the deck of a carrier. A third picture showed US marines charging against stubborn and dug-in Japanese pillboxes on a hill, firing down at a beach.

"My God, it's so reminiscent of the current war," Fabienne noted, looking at another image of American and Japanese warships engaging each other as planes crisscrossed the sky.

"I know…" Retsuko said, "I mean, we're fighting in the pacific, with warships and planes. I guess history repeats itself."

"What I find amazing..." Haida said, "the US and Japan used to be such bitter enemies, and now they are great allies."

"Yep, it only goes to show you how things can change with time," Fabienne responded.

"Here we are, mammals from Japan, doing an important role in a US military organization," Retsuko said. "And there is no place I'd rather be."

The three mammals continued through the museum. Examining the past and how it could tell them about the present and future.

000

JayJay was in her cabin on the typhoon, putting away some clothes she had just washed. The wolf put a dress on a hanger, hanging it in the closet, before turning her attention to some stockings and a few shirts.

As the young hero finished putting her clothes away in a drawer, there was a knock at her door.

The wolf opened the door and smiled, seeing captain Boehm in front of her.

"Hey Jay, what are you doing?"

"Just putting away some clothes." The wolf said, quickly fixing her hair and making herself look presentable. "What brings you around?"

"Well… I was wondering if you would like to hang out?" The captain said, trying to speak confidentiality. "We could go somewhere. There's plenty of attractions around Zootopia. Or just stay here and watch a movie or something."

JayJay's tail started wagging.

"Oh! I'd love to take you out clubbing!" The wolf said.

"Clubbing? Eh… that's not exactly my thing…."

"Please!" JayJay said, giving Alex puppy dog eyes. "I'd love it if you came along!"

"Sigh, alright, fine."

"Yes! Trust me, you'll have fun! Let me just get my things and get ready to go."

"Ok, I'll go get my wallet. Meet you back here."

Both mammals used the bathroom, got their personal effects, and met back up outside JayJay's room before leaving the typhoon.

"I'm really excited," JayJay confessed. "You, my favorite person in the world, going clubbing and dancing with me, which is my favorite thing to do!"

"I mean, I'm not exactly big on that sort of thing… but I'll bite the bullet if it means spending time with you."

The wolf wagged her tail in excitement. The pair then came upon Kion and Jasiri, who walked down the hallway. Each had an arm around the other.

"What are you two up to?" Alex asked.

"We're just going out," Kion said.

"Oh! So are we!" JayJay responded. "I'm taking him to a club."

The wolf gestured at the human.

"Heh, didn't think that would be your kind of thing, Alex." Kion teased. "You are usually a very reserved person who tends to keep to himself."

"Your correct." The captain responded, "But I just like spending time with Jay."

"Well, I like spending time with Jasiri." The lion kissed the hyena on the cheek, making her blush. This prompted JayJay to turn to her companion. Giving a look that almost saying "What? Where's my kiss?"

"If you two are going out, what if we come with you? We could all hang out." Jasiri said.

"I'm fine with that," Boehm responded. "Jay?"

"I'm down! Let's go!"

The four left the typhoon and headed down the street, led by JayJay, who knew where all the excellent dance parties and nightclubs were.

"I am going to bring you out of your shell tonight." JayJay said to Alex, "you can't be so reserved all the time."

"I think you are the right person to do that." The human responded to the wolf. "You're so outgoing and social. I'm an introvert, your an extrovert."

"Opposites attract." Kion laughed.

After a few minutes of walking, the group reached a building with dozens of bright neon lights outside, shining in all colors.

"Hey! It's the party animal!" Said the bear bouncer, opening the door for the team to go inside.

More bright lights of all colors flashed above a dance floor made up of light-up squares, which also changed color frequently. Mammals packed the dance floor, moving and cheering as they enjoyed themselves.

A bar that glowed white from internal lights was stationed against one of the walls. Behind the bar were shelves of liquid backlit by blue light. Tables and chairs were set up around the main dance floor for mammals to chat and rest.

"Say what about loud noises?" Kion asked Alex. "I heard that introverts like things to be quiet."

"Yes, but Kion, I'm a soldier. I've heard the blasts of artillery strikes and the engines of rockets and jet planes. I can take some loud music."

"Do you guys want to get something to drink first?" Jay asked as the group drifted over to a table. "We need to stay hydrated if we're going to be dancing."

"What time is it?" Alex asked, "ah, I'll just have lemonade or something."

"Coke, please," Kion said. "No ice."

"Water is fine for me," Jasiri said.

"Alright! You guys have to pay me back, though. Kion, could you give me a paw? I can't carry all the drinks."

The wolf and lion left, heading to the bar.

"Say do we have any Glocks onboard the ship?" Jasiri asked.

"Yeah?" The captain said.

"I think I'm gonna try those as my pistols. See how they do in battle."

"Well, if you're going to use them, akimbo, we have plenty of attachments you can use. Sights, flashlights and lasers, muzzle breaks, and suppressors…. Heroes is well supplied."

"I can tell. I suppose all the money spent is worth it, though. We get the job done."

"Maybe you should get yourself another weapon if you find the pistols aren't cutting it. Like an SMG. Maybe an MP5 or UMP."

The human and hyena continued to discuss their weapons of warfare until Kion and JayJay returned with four glasses containing the drinks. The two giving Alex and Jasiri their beverages. JayJay had apparently ordered a beer, as her glass contained a foaming brown liquid.

"Jasiri and I were just talking about our combat gear," Alex said, taking a sip of his lemonade.

"Yeah, he thinks I should get an SMG for when the pistols don't cut it."

"I recently changed my armament as well." Kion said, "I quite like the LMG I got my paws on."

"Well, as I told Jasiri…" Alex said, "we have plenty of attachments you can put on."

"Oh sweet! I'll have to check those out."

"Well, while your running into battle with a sword and a big gun, my own equipment is a bit smaller," JayJay said. "Just a simple pistol and a machine pistol for when the going gets tough."

"Yeah, Kion, you are like the tank. With an LMG, a powerful sword, and your own strength to punch right through enemies." Captain Boehm noted. "Jay is more focused on her agility and speed."

"I've been thinking of getting a sword more like what you and Laval use. Chima style!" Kion said. "Also, JayJay, isn't your pistol an older design? 1911?"

"Yep! And not just any 1911. That very pistol was wielded by my ancestor, Jim Burdel, during WW1!"

"Wow, That should be in a museum."

"Hey, I like to think I'm doing right by my ancestor by carrying his weapon into battle. Though I don't know if he would like the paint scheme I've given it, he's not here to complain."

Suddenly the loud dubstep music slowed down, and all the lights on the dance floor turned a light blue as their movement speed slowed down.

"It's time for a slow dance!" The DJ said, "Maybe grab that special someone and bring them out onto the floor!"

Jasiri smirked at Kion and jumped up, gesturing for Kion to follow her, which he did. They headed out onto the dance floor, joining in the crowd of mammals.

Jasiri playfully pushed Kion, trying to figure out how exactly he should dance with his hyena. Fumbling with his paws and where to put them in a way that was not lewd.

The lion's lover just hugged him close, prompting Kion to wrap his arms around her and slowly turn and dance.

"Come on, Alex!" JayJay said, standing up, prompting the captain to do the same and follow her.

The two mammals reached the dance floor, surrounded by other mammals and couples, moving slowly to the music.

Under the blue light, the pair embraced, nuzzling against each other's fur and skin. Alex and JayJay closed their eyes, enjoying the moment with each other, along with the other couples on the dance floor, including Kion and Jasiri. But the human and wolf were just focusing on each other. Both of them were, to the other, the most important mammal in the world.

Moments like these were what they were fighting for. China was an autocratic nation, curtailing freedoms and liberties. But here, people could be free and enjoy themselves without fear of the government or military.

It was these moments of peace that made their battles worth it. Worth fighting for a million times over.

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alexboehm55144 · 3 years

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Alex Final Wars 2: Dark Alex, Chapter 38 - Extraction

Jack, Skye, Haida, and Retsuko monitored the battle from the combat information room of the Typhoon. The whole room was dark, only illuminated by blinking lights and information display screens.

“Jack, there’s a report here of a high-value target in the form of a Chinese ace pilot,” Retsuko said. “He’s already taken out 2 escort craft and 5 US jets.”

“Roger, I’ll assign those Canadian fighters to hunt him down and eliminate him,” Jack said, starting to send electronic messages to US and CA fighter jets in the skies.

“Hey, I’m also getting a request for a missile strike on an enemy ship out there,” Haida said.

“I’m on it!” Skye responded. “Marking targets and firing missiles.”

“Jack, do you read?” Captain Boehm’s voice came through the radio.

“Affirmative.” The rabbit responded.

“We’ve got the intelligence and are moving to exfil location.”

“Got it. I’m dispatching the extraction party now and pushing the extraction location to your heads-up display. Remember you are to deliver the intelligence to the USS Iwo Jima waiting offshore, and then, return to the Typhoon.”

“Roger that, see you back at the ship.”

“Direct hit!” Skye said, watching on a computer screen as the missile impacted the Chinese warship and blew it apart in a fireball and shower of debris.

“Jack, this is Toothdee and JayJay, enemy supplies destroyed.”

“Glad to hear it. Move back to the hovercraft on the shore and prepare to leave.”

“Roger that.”

“Haida, Retsuko, any new priority reports coming in?”

“Nothing that’s high priority now,” Retsuko said.

“Alright, then let’s just keep doing what we’re doing. Monitoring communications, directing troops, and providing support. Keep up the jamming and electronic warfare operations.”

000

“Ahhh!”

“Hang on, Laval!”

“I’m hanging on, Eris!”

The eagle swooped and spun her jet to avoid incoming missiles while releasing flares. She dove down and strafed a Chinese SAM site on top of the fortress, hitting multiple PLA troops and destroying the missile battery.

The eagle cheered and climbed back up into the sky before turned around in her seat to check out Laval. His eyes were wide, and he was gripping the sides of the cockpit.

“Calm down, fur boy.” She teased. “Aren’t you a brave lion warrior?”

“Yeah, warrior! Not pilot!”

“Alright, let’s do something a bit more your speed.”

The eagle pitched the aircraft down so the pair inside could see the ships in the sea below.

“How about that small blue and gray vessel right there?” Laval said, pointing to a type 22 missile boat. A pontoon craft with a pair of missile pods built into the vessel and a blue and gray disruptive camouflage scheme.

“You got it, Laval!”

The eagle jet pulled down towards the missile boat, aiming at its forward cannons and peppering them with gunfire. The shots disabled the weapons, and a well-placed missile destroyed the boat’s central antenna.

Eris pulled in above the vessel, making it difficult for the missile pods to hit the jet, as they did not face directly forward. If they did fire upon the plane, it would crash onto the missile boat.

Eris put her jet in automatic hover, and the pair jumped out of the cockpit, Eris grabbing Laval and using her wings to break his fall. Upon landing, the lion covered her by using his sword to deflect incoming shots from naval troops. At the same time, Eris drew her ax and blaster.

The pair charged forward, cutting and gunning down naval troopers before making it into the vessel’s bridge and eliminating the commanding officers inside.

One of the doors into the bridge opened as a PLAN sailor tried to assist, but Eris cut him down, and Laval threw a Chi grenade through the door before kicking it shut. The explosion killed more responding sailors while Laval and Eris went to work slashing the ship’s controls with their sword and ax.

Once the controls were thoroughly rendered inoperable, the pair left the bridge and proceeded towards the back of the boat. Eris flying over the bridge structure while Laval skillfully jumped towards the stern, cutting down another naval trooper.

The missile pods were located on the back of the boat, and Eris used her chi blaster to destroy the starboard pod. Laval pulled out a grenade that appeared to contain two glowing blue orbs of chi attached together, with a long golden handle to throw the weapon.

The lion prince tossed the grenade into the other missile pod, detonating and destroying the missile system.

All the while, the boat had been moving forward. This meant Eris’s eagle jet was now behind the boat instead of in front of it.

Laval raced towards the stern, jumped off the boat into the air before Eris grabbed him, and carried the lion back into the jet’s cockpit.

The pair laughed and gave each other a high five as Eris piloted back into the sky.

“That was great, Eris!”

“You can say that again! I can tell your loving those new chi grenades you’ve been trying out lately.”

“Yeah, they are pretty useful. I might have to add those grenades to my gear. Change it up a bit from the sword.”

“Join the club and get a blaster or firearm.”

“Eh, I am more of a swordsmammal. You know I’m always worried your not going to catch me whenever we do something like that.”

“Are you still scared of the water? I taught you how to swim.”

“I’m not scared! I’m just... uh.....”

“Haha! Don’t worry, sweetie, I’ll always catch you.”

The lion leaned forward and planted a kiss on the eagle’s cheek, making her blush. But she did enjoy it.

“What’s next?” Eris asked, pitching the jet down again so they could see the battlefield.

The pair scanned the ships in the area. Determining where they should strike next.

000

Nick and Judy burst through a door that was sized for small mammals. At the same time, the commandos went through a medium mammal sized door, both leading down another hallway in the fortress.

Kion and Alex moved through the medium-sized door, the captain emptying a whole magazine on the pursuing PLA soldiers. Once he ran dry, Kion pushed some supply crates in front of the door as a barrier.

“Keep going!” Judy yelled, “we’re almost out of here! Sweet cheese and crackers!”

The group came to a vehicle bay that leads outside to a flat grassy area.

Chinese troops were busy engaging US troops near a landed helicopter, allowing Heroes to drop on the enemy soldiers and gun them down.

“Friendlies!” The captain yelled as they approached the extraction team.

“Hold fire!” One of the US soldiers yelled.

“We’re ready to get you out of here, sir.” A human trooper with an M249 LMG said, approaching Alex.

“Yes, let’s not waste any time.”

Suddenly more gunfire rang out, and the trooper with the LMG went down as more enemies emerged from the fortress.

“Return fire!” One of the commandos yelled as captain Boehm grabbed the injured trooper and brought him to one of the extraction helicopters.

Other warriors fired back, as did the side-mounted guns on the helicopters.

Kion grabbed the fallen trooper’s LMG and sprayed the incoming enemies, taking down three in just a few seconds.

“Oh, I like this thing!” Kion said, looking over the LMG.

The incoming troops were dead, and Heroes piled into one of the black hawk helicopters while the commandos got into another.

The choppers lifted off and headed out to sea as US ships and fighters opened up on the fortress with a massive final salvo. Aircraft launched missiles that streaked through the air while warships opened up with their main cannons.

Shells and missiles impacted the fortress, causing cracks to form throughout the building’s superstructure. The entire area was blanketed with smoke and debris as the Chinese citadel was reduced to a broken husk.

The helicopters moved away from the battered fortress and towards the USS Iwo Jima. An amphibious assault ship, reminiscent of an aircraft carrier, but smaller in size, possessing only one lengthwise facing runway along with space for helicopters.

The black hawks set down on the deck. Heroes pilled out of the aircraft, linking back up with the commandos as a commanding officer and other troopers ran over to them.

“Heroes! JTF-2!” The rabbit commander said, “we’ve been tasked with securing the intelligence from you. Thank you for getting it to us.”

One of the Canadians handed the bag of maps and documents to one of the troopers.

“Our ships are withdrawing from the area and heading back out to sea. However, it’s likely the Chinese may attempt to pursue.”

Seconds later, missiles impacted the ship, causing the vessel to shake and throwing mammals off their feet.

“INCOMING!” A sailor yelled. “People’s Liberation Army boats and aircraft!”

Small rubber dinghies packed with soldiers and helicopters neared the USS Iwo Jima.

“We’ll get the intelligence out of here, but we could use your help defending the ship.” The rabbit commander said.

“We’re on it! Refill your ammo!” Captain Boehm ordered, moving over to some supply crates and retrieving the necessary ammunition for his gear. He noticed some magazines for Judy’s pistol and handed them to the rabbit.

“Thanks, Alex.” The rabbit said, putting a fresh clip into her pistol.

Kion found a sharpening stone used for sharpening bayonets and combat knives. He quickly gave his blade a once over to sharpen it before retrieving more magazines for the LMG he picked up.

“Do you have any arrows?” Nick asked.

“Yeah, that crate over there.” The rabbit commander said, pointing to a rounded container with the symbol of an arrow on one side.

“Oh wow, you guys are well stocked!” The fox said.

The personnel with the bag of documents scurried away as the Chinese reached the vessel.

Helicopters opened fire on US troops on the deck before depositing their personnel.

Grappling hooks shot up from the water below and attached to the ship’s side as hostile troopers boarded the vessel.

Alarms blared as an announcement came over the ship’s loudspeakers.

“All hands! We are being boarded! I repeat we are being boarded!”

“Defensive positions!” Captain Boehm yelled, the team taking up positions behind some aircraft on the deck. One of the Canadians even got on a side-mounted gun on the side of a landed helicopter.

The first PLA troops to emerge onto the deck of the Iwo Jima were red pandas, who could easily climb the ascent cabled up onto the ship. However, they were instantly gunned down by defending forces.

Other US sailors and marines also opened fire on incoming hostiles all over the vessel.

“We have a problem!” Nick said. He pointed to a pair of Z-9 Haitun helicopters approaching the ship, covered by a Z-10W attack chopper.

Heroes and JTF-2 immediately turned their attention to the approaching transport helicopters and gunship.

One commando opened up on a Z-9 with the side-mounted gun, causing the vehicle to burst into flames and explode.

Nick took cover to avoid a burst of machine-gun fire from the attack helicopter before quickly firing back with arrows tipped with explosives.

The other transport helicopter managed to land and deploy troops, who instantly engaged with defending troops.

Kion aimed at the wounded attack helicopter and emptied a whole magazine into the aircraft, trying to hit the cockpit.

The fox pilot inside spammed as he was hit by bullets before slumping forward on his control stick, causing the chopper to crash into the Iwo Jima.

“This thing is awesome!” Kion said, looking over his LMG.

“Cut their lines!” The captain said, him and Kion drawing swords and charging towards the enemy grappling hooks.

A tiger trooper reached the top deck and tried to raise his LMG, but the captain slashed him across the chest and kicked him off the ship.

The pair of swordsmen then slashed at the grappling cables and pried at the actual hooks attached to parts of the USS Iwo Jima itself.

Enemy troops opened fire at the pair of Heroes. Still, they could not prevent the cables from severed, the climbing mammals falling into the sea, or landing hard on the boat below.

“Topdeck is clear!” A sailor yelled.

“There’s still Chinese in the hanger deck below!” Another sailor said, this one being an otter and armed with an SMG.

“Heroes will move to reinforce!” Captain Boehm said. “Let’s get down to the hangar deck!”

“Roger, we’ll stay up here and defend the top deck!” The JTF team leader said.

“This way, Heroes!” The otter sailor yelled before leading the four mammals into the ship and down to the deck below. “The ship has been disabled! We’re sitting ducks!”

“We can fix our engines once we’re safe!” Judy said, hopping down a staircase to the hanger deck.

The sound of gunfire grew closer as Heroes entered the hanger.

Friendly and hostile troops engaged each other, fighting around helicopters and fighter jets in the hanger.

Heroes immediately engaged the enemy forces, taking down 5 hostiles using the element of surprise. The other Chinese troopers fired back at the incoming reinforcements while attacking the other US soldiers.

One of the enemy troopers tossed a grenade. The explosion destroying the landing gear of the jet Kion was taking cover behind. The lion rolled out of the way of the plane as its fuselage hit the floor.

More PLA soldiers entered the hanger via the massive side door that led to the elevator up to the main deck.

“There’s too many of them!”

Judy targeted a cluster of supplies containing fuel and ammunition.

The rabbit opened fire on the supplies. They detonated in an explosion that enveloped a fighter jet and caused the plane’s fuel tank to explode. Both the aircraft and the nearby enemies were reduced to burned husks.

Suddenly, the Iwo Jima rocked again as it was struck, causing everyone in the hanger to fall down as the ship shook.

“What the hell was that?” Captain Boehm asked, scrambling to his feet.

“Are they bombarding the ship while their own forces are inside?!” Judy said, hopping back to her feet and landing in a combat-ready position.

The ship creaked and moaned from the damage that had been caused by the incoming Chinese attacks. It was too much, and an announcement came over the vessel’s loudspeakers.

“All hands abandon ship!”

“That’s our cue to get out of here,” Nick noted.

“This way, Heroes!” The otter sailor said, “there’s a RHIB boat nearby!”

“Well, lead the way then.”

Kion and Alex fired a hail of bullets as covering fire before the group left the hanger and moved through the ship’s hallways.

“JTF-2, I’m sure you heard the announcement. Abandon ship.” Captain Boehm said into his radio.

“Affirmative, sir! Friendly forces are spinning up a helicopter on the upper deck.” The Canadian team leader said.

“Roger that, see you back home.”

The team arrived at the RHIB boat, suspended off the side of the ship above the water. Heroes and the sailor piled in, along with three marines who were also fleeing the ship.

“What about the bag of documents and maps?” Judy said as the marines lowered the boat off the ship into the sea. “Don’t tell me we did all that just for those things to get soaked.”

“That rabbit commander probably has it covered. They aren’t going to let something that vital go down with the ship!” Kion said as the boat reached the water, and Alex began to pilot away from the Iwo Jima towards other US naval ships.

“It looks like the ship is still floating.” The otter noted. “But she does appear to be smoking badly, and I see lots of damage.”

“It’s also swarming with Chinese.” One of the marines said.

Suddenly enemy troops on board the ship fired at the fleeing troopers, forcing the mammals in the boat to fire back as they fled.

Back on board the ship, a US marine carrying the bag of Chinese intelligence ran down a hallway to the vessel’s stern. He was accompanied by several other marines and sailors, all trying to escape the stricken vessel.

Reaching a door, one of the troopers tried to open it but could only get it partway open. It was jammed, and none of the marines or sailors were able to squeeze through the opening. However, other naval troopers on the other side of the door attempted to pry it open.

The ship’s metal around them creaked from stress, and the hallway went dark as the power went out, the only light coming from the door’s porthole. Sounds emanating from the dark end of the hallway. Footsteps and the sounds made by a soldier’s kit jingling and moving slightly as they walked. US naval troopers took up combat positions, weapons at the ready. The soldiers still had no visual of the source.

Then the dark end of the hallway lit up a bright red. The red glow emanating from Dark Alex’s blade and its wielder gazing down upon the naval troopers.

“CONTACT! CONTACT! ENGAGE! ENGAGE!” A US sailor yelled. Bullets flew forward, but to no avail. Alex’s counterpart either deflected them with his sword or evaded them altogether.

As he got closer to the naval troopers, he slashed through them, inflicting fatal wounds. He sliced a tiger in half, cut down a pair of humans, and slammed a fox into the wall with brutal strength.

“Get the package out of here!” The trooper carrying the intelligence said, stuffing the bag through the gap and handing it to a sailor.

He tried to draw his sidearm but was sliced in half by Dark Alex, who then used his sword like a lever to pry open the jammed door using immense strength.

The trooper who now had the intelligence bag ran into the ship’s stern well deck, used to hold amphibious vehicles.

Other naval troopers attempted to engage the incoming Dark Alex, but he sliced through them with ease.

The trooper shut the metal door to the well deck and ran for the landing craft that was docked, full of supplies and equipment.

“LAUNCH! Get us out of here!”

The trooper jumped on the landing craft, along with other naval personnel. The vessel sped out of the well deck, just narrowly avoiding Dark Alex’s fury.

The evil swordsman watched the craft flee and was filled with rage.

The US now had ahold of vital intelligence, and they had all but obliterated a mighty Chinese fortress.

Things were looking bleak for him and his allies. But no matter how dark it got, no matter how much the US beat them back, he would see their armies crushed and all members of Heroes gutted for what they had done.

0 notes

alexboehm55144 · 3 years

Text

Alex Final Wars 2: Dark Alex, Chapter 37 - Priority Objective

"Our intelligence from ZIA assets indicates the coastal fortress is heavily guarded," Jack said. He pointed to a projected picture of massive concrete Chinese fortifications on a steep cliffside. There was also a map of the Yellow Sea and Bohai sea between China and Korea. "It's located on the Shandong Peninsula in eastern China, near Korea. You can see here, there's a lot of guns and barriers in place. Now moving on to the next slide... Haida, next slide, please."

"Zzz.... huh? Oh, sorry!" The hyena said, sitting up in his chair at a table in the briefing room. He pressed a key on the laptop in front of him. The slide on the projector advanced towards a picture of Chinese troopers clad in unique faded light green / gray camouflage uniforms, along with face paint.

"As you can see, the fortress is partly guarded by an elite detachment of Chinese oriental swords. Special forces soldiers, highly trained and well equipped. There's also rumors of an elite Chinese operative on sight."

"Well, we've fought well-equipped forces before and came out on top!" Laval said, sparking a few chuckles from the assembled heroes. "Elite soldiers, they're no match for us!"

"Don't get cocky, Laval. You got a blood lust or something." Toothdee said before Jack continued.

"We will be assaulting the fortress with US navy elements. The priority objective is to break through the outer defenses, get inside the fortress, and disable its gun emplacements. This will not only neuter the fortress but also protect our ships in the bay. Those guns are our priority objectives. Alex, I understand you managed to secure some reinforcements for us that could help?"

"That's correct." The captain said, standing up. "The US's ally of Canada has generously donated 2 squadrons of CF-18 Hornet fighters to the operation. Along with a team of JTF-2 commandos."

"Alright, that should be of great help. After our strike, we will fall back to a helicopter extraction outside the fortress, leaving the structure broken. This is a large attack to knock out a key Chinese facility before falling back. However, also have a secondary objective."

Alex sat back down while Jack once again woke up Haida to advance to the next slide.

"As you can see here..." the ZIA agent said, highlighting a picture of what appeared to be files, charts, diagrams, and maps labeled as top secret. "There are vital Chinese war plans on-site that would be of great use to the ZIA and the US military. However, we must move quickly. No doubt Chinese personnel will try to destroy the plans."

Captain Boehm once again took over speaking.

"Kion, Nick, and Judy, you are with me. Jasiri, Toothdee, Laval, Eris, JayJay, you'll be providing support to US forces. Haida, Retsuko, Jack, and Skye will be providing overwatch and comms support. Fabienne, I presume you will be filming from a relatively safe distance?"

"That's correct." The snow leopard responded. "Also, would some of you guys mind doing an interview with me about the war effort at some point?"

"Alright, if anyone here is interested, set up a time to meet with Fabienne. Then, back to the mission, please refer to the printed packets if you have any questions."

There were a few shuffling noises as some of the heroes in the room looked through the paper packets they had received in the briefing room. Each bundle of papers contained pictures of the fortress, along with related intelligence and tactics.

"In the event, resistance is too strong, the marines have assured me they have elite units on standby that we can call in if such a situation arises. Including flame troopers and close combat units. They will assist if we can't punch through defenses. This is a vital strike on Chinese soil, the coast of China itself. Let's make sure we don't disappoint."

000

"You think the typhoon will be safe?" Judy asked.

"I mean, it's not exactly at the center of the battle," Kion said. "It's in the back providing support."

"Yeah, there's plenty of US forces between it and the Chinese," Alex said.

"But there is nothing between the US and the Chinese right now," Nick said, as the amphibious APC they were in shook when an artillery shell landed in the water nearby.

"This is a cut above normal ZPD operations."

"Yep, this is more action than most officers normally see." Judy chimed in.

"Well, sometimes protecting Zootopia means going beyond the city."

"Let me just say it's an honor to be your ZPD liaison."

"You've taught Toothdee and I a lot about working in urban environments, handling prisoners, investigation. The honor is all ours."

The APC shook again as it rolled up on a beach near the Chinese fortress.

"Alright, let's do this!" Kion said as Captain Boehm opened the back door to the APC and the warriors inside exited.

The sky was peppered by a few clouds, and more amphibious vehicles rolled onto the beach, along with hovercraft that deployed tanks. Offshore, US warships battled it out with Chinese warships and land-based gun positions. The sounds of gunfire and artillery were a constant ambiance. Chinese forces were dug behind defensive barricades on the beach, with US APCs deploying troops and providing cover.

The team of mammals took cover behind one of the APCs and engaged the dug-in enemy soldiers.

"Alex, Canadian special forces are in support!" Retsuko said, monitoring friendly enemy positions.

Another APC opened up, and troopers with gray/light blue uniforms & a Canadian flag patch on their uniforms piled out and engaged Chinese forces.

However, the enemy troops were still engaging with mounted machine guns.

"Eris could use a bit of support here!" The captain requested.

"On it!" The eagle responded, strafing the Chinese positions with machine-gun fire from her jet, allowing Heroes and their allies to advance.

Kion cut down some PLA troops with his sword, while the lion's friends used their firearms or bow.

Heroes and their Canadian allies entered a bunker on the beach, leading into the fortress. They were met with another squad of Chinese troops moving to defend their position. However, this squad was immediately gunned down with a hail of bullets from the attacking forces.

"Those cannons should be around here somewhere...." Nick said as the team advanced further into the fortress.

"Away team, those guns are hitting our ships hard," Skye said through the radio. "Judging from your insertion point and the emplacement locations, you should head northeast."

"Affirmative." The captain responded.

Heroes and the special forces checked corridors and kept their weapons leveled as they proceeded through the Chinese structure. Sometimes the Canadians tossed an MTN-55 motion sensor, which would detect any PLA forces in the area.

"No hostiles." One of the Canadians said before the team advanced.

Eventually, just as Nick predicted, they came upon the room where the batteries were located, embedded in the side of the fortress. The floors, ceiling, and three walls of the elongated room were made of metal and concrete. The fourth wall was nonexistent. Instead, the fortress exterior was open to the outside. This allowed the artillery guns in the room a pristine view of the sea and warships outside. Only support pillars and safety railings blocked the line of sight for the canons attached to the floor a few feet away from the open wall.

The gun crews were unprepared for enemies forces to appear, allowing the US and CA troops to quickly take down most of the enemy forces.

Kion instantly sliced through a bear that was carrying an ammo crate to one of the cannons.

Nick fired an arrow that was tipped with flammable material, burning a pair of red panda soldiers. Judy, Alex, and the Canadians opened fire with a hail of lead, putting down the gunners and support personnel before they could react.

"Clear!" One of the Canadians yelled, and the team moved upon the guns. Nick fired an arrow tipped with explosives at one of the canons, rendering it inoperable. Alex detonated an ammunition cache near one of the guns. At the same time, the Canadians placed a thermite grenade in the breach of the third canon. By the time they were done, all 3 artillery pieces were down.

Heroes stacked up on the door to the next room and the next group of artillery guns.

"They might have heard us. Throw a flash grenade." Judy noted, prompting one of the Canadians to toss a flashbang into the next room.

Friendly forces breached the room. Just as expected, the Chinese troops were prepared. Defensive positions taken, weapons aimed at the door, even wild unevolved attack dogs at the ready. But the Flashbang had disoriented everyone, allowing Heroes to sweep in and take out almost the entire Chinese force.

Kion deflected some incoming fire with his sword before charging forward and cutting down a pair of PLA soldiers. Captain Boehm used expert marksmanship to dispatch 2 enemy troopers and 1 attack dog with well-placed headshots. Meanwhile, Judy and the Canadians took down more enemy forces with a hail of gunfire.

Another force of Chinese troopers burst into the room. But their uniforms were faded green in color, rather than the standard dark grey of Chinese uniforms. Some soldiers also had facepaint and headbands on, while everyone carried a weapon that boasted more attachments than average.

"Oriental swords!" Captain Boehm yelled, engaging the incoming special forces troopers, who tossed grenades at the US troops.

Friendly soldiers were instantly fired upon when coming out of cover, making it hard to engage the enemy troopers.

"Ok, these guys are on another level," Nick said.

"They're elite special forces, Nick. What did you think?" The captain said, returning fire.

Kion, filled with confidence and possibly arrogance, charged at one of the enemy troopers with his blade. But the human soldier managed to parry the attack and get into a weapon lock with the young hero.

Kion didn't expect this much resistance, but with a head butt, he stunned the Solider and then ran his blade through her.

Meanwhile, the other heroes and their allies were striking back at the oriental swords. Then, Captain Boehm tossed a grenade that forced the enemies out of cover behind some supply crates, allowing friendly troops to gun them down.

"Clear!"

However, before Heroes could move to disable the guns, a group of Chinese rushers troopers armed with shotguns burst into the room, weapons ready. The US and CA troops prepared themselves, but suddenly a stray shell entered the room via the opening on one wall. It impacted near the incoming shotgunners, reducing them to nothing before they could attack.

"Well, that takes care of that," Nick said, looking at what was left of the rushers. "Yuck."

"Hey uh guys, I just got a report about a ship requesting backup from some enemy boats and other ships around it," Haida said via the radio.

"We're on it." Captain Boehm said. "Kion, you load, Nick, you fire, I'll aim. Judy, you keep watch with some of the commandos. The rest of you, man, those other guns!"

"Sir, yes sir!" The Canadian commandos said before some took up positions guarding the room entrances. At the same time, the remaining troopers operated some of the artillery guns.

The captain jumped on one of the canons and looked through the sights out onto the sea. CN and US forces battled it out in the rough seas in front of the fortress.

Warships engaged each other with massive cannons. Small escort vessels darted and weaved around the larger ships like small creatures. Airplanes engaged other aircraft and boats alike as they blazed through the sky.

"Uh... I'm not exactly sure how I'm supposed to work this thing..." Nick said, looking over the metal machine.

"Just pull that cord there when I tell you too," Alex said, pointing to the object in question.

"This one?"

"Yeah, pull it when I say 'fire.'"

Kion picked up a shell from a nearby ammo crate and loaded it into the breach before closing it. Meanwhile, the captain sighted a US destroyer set upon by a few smaller escort craft and targeted one of the smaller vessels.

"FIRE!"

Nick pulled the cord, but nothing happened.

"You have to pull it harder!" Kion noted.

The fox obliged, and the gun fired with a deafening blast, knocking Nick off his feet.

"WHOA! Ok, that was something!" Nick said, getting back up.

Captain Boehm watched the shot fly through the air and impact the escort vessel. The small boat exploded in a fireball and shower of debris.

"Direct hit! Get back in position, Nick! We've got a battle to win here!" The captain ordered.

"Well, you don't have to be so rude about it...." Nick teased, taking the firing cord in his paws again as Kion loaded another shell.

The captain targeted another Chinese escort vessel, and it was reduced to rubble by the subsequent shot.

The captain then turned his attention to a small enemy warship and bombarded it with multiple shells. The naval vessel shrugged off the first shot, but it started to show more damage with subsequent strikes. Cracks and indents showed on the vessel's surface, and fire belched from damaged areas. Finally, crewmammals jumped overboard into the sea with life jackets.

"PLAN vessel eliminated. Haida, the destroyer is safe." The captain said into his radio, getting off the artillery piece.

"You know, this reminds me." Kion said, "I've never seen a mouse-sized artillery gun. It must just be a standard-sized gun, right?"

"I've never seen one either. Be ready on the guns in case another ship needs support. Jack, do you read me?"

"Affirmative, go ahead."

"Chinese gun crews are down. Are there any US ships in the bay that require support?"

"That aircraft carrier is taking a bit more of a pounding than it should, but I'm directing friendly forces to assist it. You're clear to go ahead with your secondary objective."

"Roger that. Heroes, Commandos, destroy those guns, and let's move out!"

000

"Come on! Come on! Push up!" Toothdee yelled.

The US troops she was with followed her command and charged towards CN defensive positions on a grassy outcropping near the fortress.

Just like the beach on the other side of the fortress, PLA troops were dug in with machine guns, guarding a vital supply stash on this side of the citadel.

"Toothdee, I'm here!" JayJay yelled, and the Heroes commander turned to see JayJay approaching her. She was wearing a muted gray and green dress, along with her fur being dyed a very muted shade of blue to reduce its visual impact.

"We need to get you some better gear," Toothdee said, looking over the wolf's not precisely regulation-compliant outfit.

"What? It's camouflaged... I have a bulletproof vest..." JayJay said, tugging on her vest to show it was there "...and Alex always says he likes fashion as well as function."

"Well, he doesn't exactly know what he's talking about in that regard."

"What, you guys wear gold armor half the time. Although now I see that you've put gray camouflage paint over it."

Toothdee looked down at her own chest and shoulder armor. Usually, it was gold in color, but now that color was extremely muted and covered with a gray camouflage pattern painted on.

"That gold color is by design," Toothdee said. "The gold is more recognizable, meaning enemies will fire upon the gold area, as opposed to other less vibrant parts of the body. But that gold section is where the armor is strongest. It's like saying 'shoot me here where my armor is thickest' "

"Oooohhhh..... well, like I said, fashion and function."

"Enough chit-chat. We have to assault this side of the fortress and destroy enemy supplies!"

The pair of mammals moved ahead to where enemy soldiers were engaging US forces. A wolf soldier was struck down by shots from PLA troopers in cover.

"JayJay! Keep them bottled up!" Toothdee yelled, prompting her companion to open fire on the enemy positions, giving Toothdee time to pull the wounded trooper to cover.

A medic checked out the injured wolf while the pair of Heroes advanced on enemy positions. They gunned down any hostile trooper that attempted to return fire.

US troops advanced with them, but the pair of Heroes were leading the charge. As a result, all the PLA soldiers were killed, and the attacking mammals went further through enemy lines. Nevertheless, enemy machine gunners and snipers continued to engage, putting out a hail of bullets.

"Skye, we need some artillery support. Can you get a warship to assist? Sending enemy coordinates."

"I'm on it! One second."

There was a slight delay. The American troops continuing to take cover and return fire at the enemy.

"Get down, strike incoming."

JayJay and Toothdee took cover as shells rained down from above, obliterating the hostile Chinese troops. Dirt and debris flew into the air as PLA troops screamed before being torn to shreds.

The barrage ceased, and Heroes advanced with their US marines, gunning down a few Chinese soldiers who had survived the bombardment and were left disoriented.

"Secure the area! Plant charges on those supplies!" Toothdee yelled, the force moving up to a flattened dirt area that contained a large stockpile of crates and drums underneath camouflage netting.

However, People's Liberation Army reinforcements arrived, attacking prepared positions behind the fortress, located far from the main defensive line.

The large group of enemy troops charged towards the US forces with bayonets. Screaming battle cries, striking with extreme fanaticism and ferocity.

Many American troops were impaled by the furious blades, even as they opened fire on the attacking mammals, gunning down dozens of the attackers.

A Chinese trooper charged towards Toothdee with a bayonet, but she managed to parry and strike the soldier with the butt of her own rifle.

JayJay simply used her expert agility to doge two incoming mammals and land hard melee strikes that knocked them out.

The PLA troops lay dead, their desperate last assault blunted.

"See!" JayJay said, "my outfit didn't hinder me at all, Toothdee!"

"Ugh.." Toothdee said, rolling her eyes. "Troopers! Ready your demolition charges!"

000

"Is the planning room this way?" Kion asked, slicing through a PLA trooper with his sword.

"According to Jack's ZIA asset, yes," Alex said, plunging his blade into another trooper.

The pair charged forward with their sword, cutting down Chinese troopers in close quarters and deflecting incoming bullets as they cleared the way for their team and advanced through the fortress.

"Shotgunners!" Kion yelled.

The pair of swordsmen ducked, allowing the Canadian soldiers and ZPD members to fire over their heads and down the hostile troopers. Shotguns were nigh impossible to deflect against.

"Away team, based on footage from your body cams, you're nearing the HQ room," Jack said through the radio. "Next door on the left."

"Affirmative Jack," captain Boehm said, "Heroes, JTF-2, stack up on that door."

The allied forces took up ready positions on the door before Kion kicked it open, and they charged into the war room.

Chinese commanding officers and personnel were busy going over maps on a central table and computer screens displaying tactical information. The officers in the room drew pistols and attempted to fire back at the incoming Heroes but were quickly downed.

Kion parried and cut down an oriental sword on guard near the door before turning his attention to another advancing trooper with an assault rifle.

Nick fired a precise trio of arrow shots, taking down 3 of the officers in the room who were trying to abscond with the items on the war table.

Captain Boehm sliced through an oriental sword on guard before advancing on a Chinese commanding officer. He knocked away her pistol and slammed her face into a computer monitor on a desk.

But then the captain noticed something on another computer monitor on a desk. A human with a sword, cutting through what appeared to be US soldiers holding a position outside the fortress. It only took a few seconds to realize that it was his counterpart.

Anger built inside the captain, seeing the last villain they had to defeat, the being that shared his name and face and was wreaking so much destruction. Nothing would stop him from putting an end to his counterpart's rampage.

While Alex was distracted, an enemy soldier charged at him, but Judy performed a dropkick, knocking the attacker out.

"Clear! Secure those plans!" One of the commandos said before another commando moved over to the war table and started to grab all the maps and documents on it, stuffing them into a secure, watertight, and armored case.

"Alex? What is it?" Judy asked.

The captain gestured to the computer screen and slid a chair over to Judy. The rabbit hopped up on the chair and took a look at the screen.

"Oh... I see now." The bunny said, her ears drooping.

"We have to go after my counterpart. He's the last dark version of us that's still out there."

"Yes!" Kion said, agreeing with his friend. "Let's go get him and finish those dark heroes off once and for all!"

The lion banged his knuckles together.

"What? Kion, Alex, we're here for the war maps and papers. Not to chase down your counterpart."

"Come on, Judy, Alex's counterpart is the last villain we need to defeat! So we have to go get him! He's a vital target!"

"I'm with carrots," Nick said, "knowledge is power. Let's complete our assignment and then go find tall, dark, and evil another day."

"Then let's split up." Alex said, "Kion and I will give chase. You two secure the plans."

"I wouldn't recommend that, sir." One of the Canadians said, "This is a dangerous Chinese facility swarming with hostiles. Splitting up could be disastrous, and there's no guarantee you would be able to extract."

"Look, Alex...." Judy said. "You are our leader, Nick, and I will gladly follow you, but our mission was to get those documents. We have them. Let's make sure we get them somewhere safe."

"As a leader, I can't ignore the sensibilities of those I lead. I'm not gonna force you to follow me."

"Well, then it looks like we're tied," Nick said.

The captain turned to the commandos.

"You guys are the tie-breaking votes."

There was a few moments of discussion between the commandos.

"Our mission is to secure the war plans, sir. We side with the rabbit." The Canadian leader said.

"Alright, we're outvoted, Kion. Reload and prepare to move to the extraction point."

Nick and Judy took up point this time, starting to lead the group back outside the fortress. Alex and Kion serving as rear guards.

The lion turned off his body camera and radio microphone and gestured for captain Boehm to do the same, which he did.

"If you ask me, I say we should be going after your counterpart right now. I mean, who's more of a threat than that!"

"I'm with you." The captain said, "Out of respect for Nick and Judy, we'll get the intelligence out of here. But if I had my way, we would be pursuing my counterpart right now."

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alexboehm55144 · 3 years

Text

Alex Final Wars 2: Dark Alex , Chapter 36 - The Island

"One hostile spotted," Skye said, scanning the island shore with her scoped rifle. "He's alone."

"That's a long shot, though." Captain Boehm noted.

"I got it. Thankfully the water isn't too choppy."

The fox aimed down her scope, but she was not only looking at the target visually.

Skye squeezed the trigger, the projectile zipping across the water and hitting the head of a Chinese soldier, putting him down.

"That was really good," JayJay said, the boat the team was in continuing to advance towards the shore.

"Foxes can use the Earth's magnetic field to gauge distance and more accurately hit their targets."

"Oh yeah, I heard unevolved foxes use that to help with hunting."

"I guess that explains why there are so many fox sharpshooters," Alex said.

The boat reached the shore and the team disembarking onto a pavement tarmac with large fuel silos nearby.

"Isn't this where it all started?" JayJay asked. "This war?"

"Yep, this is where the Chinese fired on a US warship, sparking off this war," Alex said.

"Main building should be over there," Jack whispered, pointing past the silos to some structures on the other side of a runway.

"Alright, let's get in, get the data, and get out."

The four mammals slowly advanced through a maintenance area containing pumping equipment and storage crates. The whole team was dressed in jet black camouflage uniforms, complete with hoods and capes to further obscure their forms from detection. JayJay had even dyed her fur an ashen light gray for this mission, and the whole island was shrouded with overcast cloud formations. The entire area was dreary and gray in color, from the storm clouds overhead to the rough tarmac to the unassuming buildings made of standard concrete.

Skye pointed ahead towards a Chinese human soldier that blocked the team's path, the trooper's back to the Heroes. Captain Boehm moved forward, stowing his rifle on his back and drawing his carbon fiber knife. He snuck up behind the trooper and, in a flash, struck. The Heroes leader covered their mouth with his hand and plunged the blade into their neck.

The captain dragged the trooper back and tossed the body behind some small containers, and the team continued ahead.

"Look over there," Jack whispered, pointing out at the tarmac. "They must be doing maintenance on their planes."

Chinese fighter jets and bombers sat out in the open on the runway, surrounded by maintenance equipment and technical personnel.

"We can use that to cut across the runway," Skye noted.

"I'll take point," Alex said. "Follow my lead, and stay low. Skye and JayJay, keep your tails down and matted."

The four mammals slowly moved out onto the tarmac, taking cover behind a fuel truck. They could hear the technicians chatting and discussing their work.

As they paused for a moment, Skye stabbed the fuel tank with her knife, and there was a slight gurgling noise as a stream of fuel started to leak out. Every bit of gear destroyed now was one less thing the Chinese could use in combat.

The human captain peeked around the corner and took note of where the technical personnel were, before quickly moving under a parked jet, his team following suit.

Maintenance crews walked back and forth nearby, oblivious to the US soldiers sitting nearby. If someone turned in their direction and looked under the jet, they would be spotted.

Jack breathed rhythmically, calming his nerves. As a ZIA agent, this wasn't his first time in hostile territory on a stealth mission.

Once the coast was clear again, the team moved quickly. Going from under the jet to a ditch on the other side of the tarmac.

Skye pointed out two more guards standing near the door to a building.

"I've got the one on the left, on my shot," Alex whispered.

"I got the one on the right."

"3... 2... 1..."

Two silenced shots went out in unison, the guards dropping at the same time.

The team began to advance, but suddenly, alarm sirens went off, the high-pitched whine bringing everyone to alert.

"What? Is that us? But how?" JayJay asked.

"Ok, plan B." Alex said, "Jack, Skye, you take those 2 structures."

The human pointed to a pair of buildings a dozen or so meters away.

"I'll take that building."

He pointed to a military building that was closer to the group.

"JayJay, you take that building."

He pointed to a larger and unassuming building sitting near the tarmac.

"Once you find any reports or hard drives, call it in!"

"Will do, be safe, everyone!" Jack said, the 4 mammals splitting up and going in separate directions.

"Team B! Launch!" The captain said into his radio.

Offshore, another rubber boat began to move at top speed towards the shore, purposely trying not to be stealthy at all.

The boat hit the beach, and the 6 warriors inside, Eris, Laval, Kion, Jasiri, Nick, and Judy, all jumped out into battle. They were all dressed in the black special forces uniforms that team A was also wearing.

Team B immediately opened fire on the Chinese forces that had assembled near the tarmac, forcing the hostile troops to run for cover.

"Team B! Squad on your left!" Toothdee said through the radio.

Jasiri and Kion turned to their left to see more hostile troopers advancing. Still, knowing the hostile troops were coming, the pair swiftly struck them down with gunfire and sword strikes.

"Thanks Toothdee!" Kion said.

"No problem, I'll keep providing overwatch via satellites and drones."

The group continued advancing, gunning down and slicing through hostile soldiers in their path. The Chinese forces were no match for a group of experienced and prepared Heroes.

While most enemy troopers were becoming fodder for the reaper, a group of veteran troops had coalesced around the airplanes in the center of the tarmac, firing back with mounted machine guns.

The group of heroes took cover in ditches or behind structures, bullets whizzing by.

"Toothdee! Launch a cruise missile! Leave nothing but rubble and ash!" Eris said into her radio.

"Affirmative! Requesting targeting!" The Heroes commander aboard the typhoon said.

"Jasiri! You have the targeting laser! Mark a target for the missile!"

Jasiri tucked one of her pistols into its holster, reached into a pouch on her belt, and pulled out a large laser pointer. The activated the laser and pointed its sharp green beam towards the group of Chinese soldiers engaging the group.

"Target marked!" Jasiri said.

"Affirmative, coordinates received," Toothdee said, "launching missile."

A large missile blasted out of a compartment on the typhoon and shot into the sky, quickly nearing the Chinese-controlled island.

"We should get down," Eris said, crouching and using a wing to cover herself and another to cover Laval.

The deafening sound of a jet engine grew closer and closer before the missile turned sharply and dove toward the ground. It impacted the veteran Chinese formation in the center, obliterating soldiers and causing debris from equipment to fly into the air with a massive boom. A bright orange fireball lighting up the dark, gray world.

"Wow," Nick said, "that's an impressive firework."

While most of Heroes continued to battle against the Chinese forces on the island, JayJay had reached her assigned structure. She found a door for medium-sized mammals such as herself and tried to open it, but the door was locked, forcing the wolf to bust the barrier down with a powerful kick.

She entered the darkened building, peering through the shadowy veil with her night vision. It was a warehouse containing boxes of equipment and supplies, containers of oil, among other materials.

But before the wolf could continue to investigate, all of a sudden, she was struck from behind. Adrenaline and instinct kicked in as JayJay retaliated with an elbow jab and kick, leaping away from her attacker and spinning around to face them.

It was like looking into a mirror. The one who had attacked JayJay was her counterpart. Also sporting light gray fur and clad in an armored black outfit built for combat and tactical use.

But JayJay noticed something else her counterpart had and felt a lack of something around her waist.

"My belt!" JayJay said, looking down at her own waist and looking at the weapons and gear now in her counterpart's paws.

"It's mine now." Dark JayJay said, "Did you really think you and your friends could sneak onto this island undetected? I'm a wolf. I recognized your scent the minute you stepped on this island. After all, we have met before. I know your scent."

"You disgust me. I look at you and wonder what the hell happened to that version of me."

"You chose to bottle up your rage. I chose to embrace it. If you ask me, what your doing isn't very healthy at all. I wonder what your boyfriend will think when he finds out about this dark side."

"No! He accepts me, despite my flaws. He loves me."

"And he will never see you again!"

Dark JayJay raised her counterpart's SMG and opened fire. Still, JayJay dodged before the attack could hit and retreated into the depths of the warehouse.

"You won't hide from me!" Dark JayJay said as she kicked over a storage shelf next to the door. The object and its contents falling down in front of the exit.

"Alex!" JayJay whispered into her radio as she hid behind some oil drums and watched her counterpart prowl around the warehouse. "I'm in trouble! My counterpart is here! She stole my weapons!"

"What?! Ok, I'm coming. Just hang on till I get there."

"I'm trapped in here with her!"

"You're stronger than her. Evade her and strike if you can. Claws and paws are still dangerous tools."

JayJay disconnected the call and moved from where she was, just as her counterpart passed by.

"Come on, JayJay..." the wolf thought to herself. "Your ancestor fought in world war 1. You can do this!"

The young hero scurried under a storage shelf and got behind her counterpart. She grabbed her enemy and managed to land several good punches and kicks before her dark opposite opened fire again, forcing JayJay to retreat once again.

"You are no match for a hunter like me!" Dark JayJay yelled, firing and watching her counterpart run through the warehouse before eventually losing sight of her.

JayJay once again took cover and studied her counterpart's movements. Dark JayJay was now routinely checking behind her, watching out for any more surprise assaults. But while she was looking behind her, she wasn't looking down near her feet. Thinking quick, JayJay slid under a storage shelf with tools on it, grabbing a metal pressure gauge and tossing it nearby.

Dark JayJay heard the noise and moved to investigate, which is when JayJay made her move. The wolf grabbed her counterpart's legs and pulled, causing her enemy to fall to the ground. With her opponent stunned, the warrior jumped out from under the shelves, grabbed a wrench, and smacked her counterpart multiple times with it.

Red drops of blood flew through the air as JayJay managed to land some good strikes on her enemy. Still, the villainous wolf managed to kick her counterpart away and once again fired wildly, attempting to hit her attacker.

JayJay ran on all fours, shots whizzing nearby as she widened the gap between the two wolves.

Once she was safe again, the Heroes operative studied her opponent again, looking for an opening. Dark JayJay had wised up again. Now, in addition to looking behind her, she was keeping an eye on her feet. Wary of attacks from below. But not above.

JayJay began to climb up one of the shelves, this one holding heavy metal containers. Every step was tedious, going slow, so she didn't make any noise and alert her counterpart.

When her counterpart passed below, JayJay grabbed one of the containers and jumped down. She slammed the container into Dark JayJay's head, knocking her down to the ground, before pouncing on top of the wolf and slashing at her with a swarm of claw strikes.

JayJay was in a furious rage, determined to destroy her counterpart once and for all. And when her anger faded, it was done. Dark JayJay lay dead, covered in claw marks and staring up at the ceiling with a blank expression on her face.

The heroic wolf wondered how close she was to ending up in the same position, lying dead while her counterpart claimed victory.

Footsteps approached, and JayJay turned to see captain Boehm moving closer and closer, rifle at the ready, inspecting the two wolves.

But both mammals looked the same, which one was heroic and virtuous, and which one was cold and filled with malice.

The captain took one look at the victorious wolf and saw something in her eyes. He somehow knew that she was his, that this was the virtuous and sweet-hearted JayJay. But, also being a logical and cautious man, he spoke up.

"What did you do that prompted me to say 'ow' and wonder what you were doing?"

"I was nibbling on your ear! And I told you it was a wolf thing."

The captain immediately stowed his rifle on his back and reached down to help JayJay up.

"Are you ok?" The captain asked.

"I'm fine..." JayJay said, reclaiming her weapons, "... I did it."

"She was no a match for you. I knew you could do it..."

The captain put his hand on her shoulder.

"It's strange, though. She looks just like me. It's like seeing myself lying dead somewhere."

"I know. These counterparts are like a glimpse into some dark part of the soul. Sowing nothing but destruction and despair."

There was a pause, the pair reflecting on these counterparts and looking at the wolf lying dead on the floor.

"But if today is any proof...." Alex said, ".... good has triumphed over evil."

"Thank you."

The moment was interrupted when Jacks's voice came through the radio.

"Alex, I've recovered a set of documents marked with... what I think are classification markers? I can't tell. It's in another language."

Skye chimed in as well.

"I've found some documents and hard drives. I managed to bag them."

"Ok, in that case..." The captain said, opening the radio channel to all heroes, "both teams return to the boats. We have what we need."

000

A few days later, everyone was assembled in the briefing room on the typhoon.

"This is like a crowd of school kids," Toothdee said to Alex, looking out at their friends and comrades.

These mammals weren't exactly the most professional people in the world. Even though they were awaiting an essential official briefing, they weren't really paying attention.

Haida, Retsuko, and Judy were busy talking, JayJay was bushing her fur, and Nick was busy munching on some blueberries.

Meanwhile, Laval and Eris were hugging while Jasiri and Kion watched something on their phones.

Even Jack and Skye, who were trying to set up something on the presentation screen, were busy flirting and teasing each other as they worked.

"I kinda like it." Alex said, "it makes our little band of warriors feel more alive, and like actual people with lives, traits, and quirks."

"Heh, That we can agree on."

"Ok! The screen is working now." Skye said.

"Alright, EVERYONE! ATTENTION, PLEASE!" Toothdee said, and the room Immediately quieted down as everyone focused.

"Well, at least they are attentive when they need to be." Alex joked, getting a small chuckle out of Toothdee.

"As you know, we recovered documents and servers from the Chinese facility on the island we raided a few days ago. With the help of the ZIA, federal authorities have gone through the recovered data, and the necessary information is what you will see today. Remember, this island is where the war began, and what you're about to hear is radio traffic from that day."

Toothdee clicked a button on a remote. A portion of a radio call started to play, having been translated by the ZIA.

"Weapons locked on US warship. Preparing to fire."

"Hostile warship is readying its weapons."

"Dispatching interception team."

"Hostile warship is firing warning shots, returning fire."

"Direct hit on enemy vessel."

Murmurs went through the group of mammals in the briefing room. What they were hearing was the event that started this war—the first battle in this conflict.

"But there is more..." Toothdee continued, "according to reports we discovered, it is believed that our dark counterparts instigated this attack."

A gasp and another round of murmurs went through the group of mammals.

"We know more about the depth of our counterpart's involvement with the Chinese, but a lot remains hidden."

"Do we know where the counterparts come from?" Kion asked.

"Not yet, but there is only one counterpart left. We're on the cusp of eliminating this threat entirely."

Alex chimed in to make a vow, a guarantee to his friends, and maybe even the world that the threat posed by these dark doubles would be wiped away.

"I'll see to it personally that my counterpart is destroyed."

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