[Val Verde]

[November 10th, 2009]

—

[BOOM]

[BOOM]

[BOOM]

The majestic shields of the Hydra Flying Fortress flickered into eye sights. The impenetrable shields had withstood assault for hours since the third day began.

I watched as bombing run unleashed the impotent fury of the American Air Force. Then they turned around and flew back towards safety.

The silent, floating hulk was as steady as a mountain as it floated far above the chaos below it.

“Steady!” I screamed into my short radio to my team. Corporal Candice echoed my words as everyone was tense.

We kept firing at the distant targets with our rifles. They were the unmanned iron man suits. They flew across the front lines, laying waste to various defenses.

Our guns were ineffective at this range, but the hail of bullets would deform their armor. It was only a matter of time before they would fail against even hand guns ammunition.

The loud rattles of the guns shook my body. The Anti Air gun behind us vibrated as it unloaded its ammo drums into the skies. Where the various air forces danced to the death.

The Iron Legion flew in closer. Its Iron Men were like scalpels as they moved in and out, taking out defensive structures as they willed.

I wondered if Jarvis was controlling them. They moved with a fluidity that was very cohesive, and their teamwork was flawless.

Yet Jarvis could not be everywhere. He could not focus as both an individual unit, and as the overseer.

I watched as a group assemble and move towards us. They were finally aiming for our AA gun. Our VIP on this battlefield.

“Move! Move! Move!” I screamed into my short radio. My commands would reach the three fireteams under my command.

My boys and girls obeyed my orders. They scrambled as they lifted the tarp that hid the heavy guns at our feet. They then connected the gun onto the tripod. The gunner then directed the barrels at the incoming team of android fighters.

“Fire at will!” I screamed as I dropped my binoculars and aimed my rifle. I saw the chest of a random Iron Men and pulled the trigger.

We unleashed a hail of bullets. Each squad had a heavy gunner manning a medium machine gun. The tripod mounted weapons shook as each gun spat out .50 Caliber rounds.

Our ploy turned out to be successful. The dispersed focus of Jarvis didn’t react in time. Our morning preparation and practice had paid off.

The rounds tore into the semi-deformed armor. From a dozen android Iron Men, their bodies got torn apart midair.

The men and women around me cheered. A dozen Iron Men killed, and we didn't see a single round of return fire.

I smiled as I dropped my empty magazine, and slid in another. I could hear the fireteam in front of me reload the medium machine gun. The thick ammo belt slid off and another slotted in with a rattle.

The AA gun behind us also got lucky as tagged an American jet. The fast flying vehicle exploded. Metal and pilot was spraying across the battlefield around us.

“Well done, Sergeant,” Candice said as she stepped up beside me and smirked.

The military had just accepted my words that I had been field promoted to Sergeant was a shock. The fact only became surreal as I got assigned a full squad of my own.

Three cute little fireteams armed to the teeth.

“You too, Corporal,” I said with a satisfied smile. Of course if I got to choose my second in command, there was no real choice. Corporal Brown had a nice ring to it.

“We have incoming!” my communication officer, Dumon, yelled out and I frowned.

I stared back at field before us, and there was nothing out of the ordinary. The main bulk of the assault was happening a kilometer or so to the north.

Our forces had shifted according to Baron Zemo’s plan. The man was no idiot. He would know how the battle was playing out, and what was a feint.

Then I heard the crack of thunder.

I paled.

“Its Thor. Everyone, get down!” I screamed as I pulled Candice down with me.

My squad obeyed.

Lighting arced across the field as the mother of all thunder strikes landed like a meteor.

I felt every hair on my body stand up straight, then singe as the AA gun behind up exploded.

Silence hit the field like a pigeon ramming a bullet train.

I was careful as I got up. Candice became my leverage as I moved, and to kept her low from danger.

She swatted at me, but I ignored her as I stood up. Nice and slow.

The AA gun was gone. The base was still there, but I had no clue where the… Oh there it is.

I stared at the remains of my third fireteam. Half of the massive AA gun had crushed them into a nice meat mat against the dirt trench. The machine dug hole had turned into their quick grave sight.

Thor stood up. His red cape fluttered with the wind and I sighed. The son of Odin was no mortal, and we were so screwed now that he was here.

In fact. Why was he here!?

I frowned. The main attack was to the north…

I decided it right then and there, as I had a flash if insight.

I hate being on the wrong side of diversions.

“Squad. Stand down. We can’t hurt him with our weapons,” I ordered as the men moved to their stations. Moved to do their duty.

The heavy fire of another team spat out.

I watched as another fireteam attacked. It wasn’t apart of my squad, but they had identical load outs. Medium machine gun. .50 Caliber ammo.

I sighed as I watched as the bullets hit the blond god. Then I became depressed as they bounced off. I think a couple of rounds hit his face.

It might have been the reason for his scowl. A scowl that lead to him summoning lightning again. With a roar, the god pounced onto their position.

Silence.

“Dumon, tell all squads around us to stop firing. We cannot hurt them, but they can definitely kill us. All survivors are to regroup," I ordered, and my communication officer nodded. "We can assemble at the designated withdrawal zones,”

The young man spoke into his radio. It was broadcasting to all frequencies. It wouldn’t reach far, but it would be enough.

With luck it would also leave them alone. The good guys had bigger fish to fry anyways.

“Pack up, and move out! Don’t bother with the machine gun, its too heavy!” Candice ordered and berated.

I stared as I watched the Hydra uniformed soldiers began the retreat. They moved from their foxholes and began to flee towards the forest.

Yet not everyone did. Some stayed, their guns ready.

I got out of our trench and took one last look around.

I saw the Hulk, with his massive body land. The squad closest to him began to fire, and the green beast stared.

Then it jumped onto them. With three meaty stomps, it was over.

I sighed.

I turned around, and the bright eyes of my fellow soldiers looked up at me. Most were kids. Younglings that had not tasted adulthood.

“What are you waiting for? Move!” I ordered, and they all scrambled at my words.

Younglings… I hoped that Carmen was still safe. Her email this morning had said she was in a underground safe house. Under protocol she couldn't say where, but that was enough for me.

There was the scream of missiles and I looked up. Another force of android Iron Men flew overhead. This time, I also spied a shiny red one.

Iron man.

I looked around again. I was the last one.

With a huff, I began to follow my soldiers.

—

In the retreat, we got to see the Avengers.

Some flew. One jumped. Most rode in their unique black Quinjet. We heard it streak by overhead.

That was bad news. If they had shown up in force… then we going to lose. Baron Zemo had a poor track record against the full might of the Avengers.

In the distance, I saw them assault our artillery placements. The mountain came under a withering hail fire.

Dozens of Iron Men unloaded lasers and mini missiles.

At least I assumed it was a withering rain of fire. They mountain side exploded, and then they stopped shelling the front lines.

Which meant that the US ground forces could move up with their artillery guns.

By the time we made it to the rendezvous point, the sun was setting. We sat huddled around the clearing, but no trucks came. No communication from HQ.

I waited as the various soldiers gathered. Some were fine, but most had injures. Some where in serious condition.

The world became darker as the last few stragglers caught up. A sad reunions as the healthier soldiers got up to help their less fortunate fellows.

In the dark, we saw light.

As one, we gripped our weapons, but calmness held.

I was never happier to see the symbol of Hydra as our transport finally arrived.

[Kraka…]

I looked up towards the source of that sound. Was it from the Flying Fortress?

[BOOOOOM!]

A wall of pressure smashed into us. There was enough force that most of us fell over, and even the trucks rocked. Though, thank the Greater Good, none tipped over.

The Flying Fortress had a section explode outward and the sky titan began to fall. Thick plumes of smoke came out, and we all stood paralyzed as the sight of it.

The island shook as it fell at the base of the Morning Mountains. The land undulated and I saw more then one truck touch the sky. I stared as all four of its wheels fly up, and then begin its gentle free fall back onto the ground.

Cries of despair wailed up.

Our symbol of prosperity!

Our hopes for the future!

Many cried. I teared up as the question burned into my mind.

I knew many things, but what good was any of it? I could not predict the future, and I only recalled things if it became relevant. There was just so much information to draw from.

“Everyone, load your weapons into one truck! Then get onto another. The fight is over. We now must move towards tomorrow. This is for the Greater Good,” I screamed out.

“For the Greater Good,” came the ingrained reply.

Though I had seen higher ranking officers here, no one said anything.

With heavy hearts, we disarmed. Weapons piled into one line of trucks, and then they got into another truck. Despite the need for extra space for armaments, there was more then enough room.

While we had deployed as a full force. We did not retreat as a full force.

Hours of shelling. Frontal assaults by tanks, androids, and heroes. How could we all remain safe?

It was depressing to know that so many had died. So many had bodies left behind.

We would go back to grab them. To give them proper cremation rights. So that their spirits could get guided to heaven or hell, depending on their karma in the faith of the Greater Good.

I was the last man to board. We had hundreds of soldiers here… and yet there was still a lot of empty trucks.

Candice pulled me up into next truck, it was empty. We boarded and let the back flap close.

Here, I finally relaxed.

I leaned into Candice, and she hugged me.

We instead stared at nothing, and let the warmth of each other take hold and comfort.

No matter what happened, it was going to be a long night.

—

My fear turned out to be false as we finally stopped. There was no American force to greet us.

I hopped out of the truck, and I looked around in confusion.

The area we were in looked like an air base. A secondary one that was definitely not the staging grounds we had used this morning.

The paved air lanes had been quick work, and was uneven. On the strip was a fleet of trucks that had a queue to board.

“Sergeant Rico?” a man asked as he made his way up to me.

“I am Sergeant Johnny Rico, Thirteenth Reserve Corps,” I answered, and we traded salutes.

“Delivery completed, Sir!” The man said as he popped another salute, turned and left.

Candice gave me a raised eyebrow, and I stared at the manila envelope in hand.

I unwound the string, and inside sat but a single sheet of paper.

I skimmed through it… and I dropped the sheet.

In an act of dexterity, Candice plucked it from air. I stared at the dark skies above.

“Well well well… Congrats on the promotion, Captain Rico!” Candice teased as she gave me a sharp salute.

“Shut up, Lieutenant,” I growled and she gave me another wink.

If I had to suffer the indignity of paperwork, then so would she.

I made a mental note to dump as much as I could onto her. Probably forever.

I didn’t like this however.

My frown had Candice frown, but she said nothing. She trusted my instincts so far, and they had kept us both alive.

Sudden promotions did not in succession. Especially with Hydra ranks. Sure the battlefield was chaotic, but this was ridiculous. I was a private 2 days ago.

If anything, I should have faced court marshaled and shot. My call for my fellow soldiers to stand down was incorrect. Hydra grunts fought to the last.

Unless ordered otherwise. Like I had.

I stared at the distant trucks filling up with personal. I supposed we should line up as well.

[All Val Verde natives are to board the transports in the gates. You will be delivered to the cities, and then allowed to disperse back among your people. Bide your time. Hydra will rise again!]

I heard the various cries of Hail Hydra. Most of it by the queue in the distance.

I stared at Candice. She stared back.

We stayed silent as we made our way over to the front gates.

There I watched as we gathered.

I blinked. I stared.

Was this it?

I stared at the hundreds. Maybe low thousands of soldiers milling about.

The trucks here were fewer as people began loading. They would then peel away as they filled up.

I shivered as I noted the difference between our group of soldiers, and the much large one behind us.

“I found our truck,” Candice said as she wrapped her arm around me and lead me towards the back. “Next stop, Arius!”

We boarded. The other soldiers said nothing. Their somber moods showcased as they had their hoods had pulled back.

I stared at the weary faces of other youngsters. So young, and already broken. I knew that the PTSD would haunt them.

The truck ride was quiet as the enormity of everything sunk in. Some cried. Some sobbed. Some became angry.

Most said nothing.

We are the defeated. Our efforts amounted to nothing.

Yet in the back of my mind. My memories only showed me more.

We are also abandoned. Discarded as Hydra would move to another place.

Yes, Hydra would rise again. Yet it would not be with Val Verde.

I knew, with certainty, the trails that Val Verde was only going to get worse. Our leaders had chosen to support Hydra.

Though many did not know it yet. This dark night was only beginning.

————

Chapter 03: The Long Night