[Val Verde]

[March 21st, 2021]

—

I re-read the report on the newest attack.

While the P1-FAV were working, there was now a form of effective counter assault. If the warthogs made even made it there on time.

Though agents of AIM were not slacking off either. With the encounter of new, heavier armed warthogs, they also revealed their new toys.

The report stated that the newest attack occurred on Fernroot. This was the first time a location had been hit twice.

Though the newest development was that freaking assault robots had been present.

Beside the usual yellow suited men, there was four, two meter all, armored robots with bigger guns. Banana yellow robots, but combat ready machines nonetheless.

Of the six warthogs on site, only two were still functional. The unlucky four were now scrap. Lasers turned out to be great weapons against light armored jeeps.

The upside was that AIM had to retreat without new kidnappings. I took whatever solace I could.

Solace such as we finally had some prisoners. Crippled people, but prisoners all the same.

Like how the Prototype 2-FAV were not rolling out. The new units were not all carrying M134 miniguns. We didn't have enough, so we resorted to left over weapons. Things like refurbished high intensity lasers, or rocket launchers.

Since warthogs got deployed in squads, it made sense to have a variety of weapons. This was to create a more competent deployment.

I flipped the pages.

The oddity of AIM was that the upper half of aim was unique. Every one of its people were scientists. People who had high degrees in academics. The recruiting minimum was either PHDs or intense specializations.

Though they were not above hiring grunts either. The lower half was all blue collar workers. People who would be the brawn to the company's brain.

It seemed that AIM paid well.

We had several grunts. Who were under the careful care of the Jade Falcons.

I sighed as I sat back.

I needed more people. Trustworthy people.

Candice was perfect, but she was still only one person.

Once again I stared at the last section of the report. It was a single page.

From the preliminary interrogation, AIM had a secret island to the North.

If memory served me well, it should be Val Gris, the Grey Island. A place where no life grew, and was a gloomy land that no one wanted to live on.

The soil, if there was ever any, was gone. Everything from food, to water, would have to be imported.

On this island was a secret base. A secret base full of robots.

If we invaded, it would be at heavy losses.

I leaned back.

Why was everything that needed to be handled, requiring heavy military intervention?

I entertained the thought about contacting the Justice League, or the Avengers.

Then I turned over the page.

Or we can do this as we always did.

Alone.

Why couldn’t we just get some super heroes to spring up from Val Verde?

I gave up on the report. We couldn’t do anything until we knew more.

We needed to scout the island, and then plan a assault. Without the support of a navy, or a well equipped air force.

We had transport planes, and a simple fishing vessels.

Things AIM would already have protections against.

The second item that held my attention was a deceptively simple letter and box.

A letter from Lex Luthor. His company logo was embossed on the front.

I opened it, and read the contents. He wanted me to call him. A potential solution to my current problems.

His fancy name was handwritten, and signed with a flourish. Black ink, and definitely not a photocopy.

I opened the box, to reveal satellite phone. Compliments of LexCorp Industries.

I stared at the device. It was a box with a smaller cell phone docked and charging. The small display showed the phone’s charge level, and a full set of bars for reception.

Say what you will about LexCorp, they designed interesting and neat looking things.

I looked at the lock.

6pm.

Time to get the national holiday moving.

—

Since the founding of the Val Verde, people enjoyed to sky watch. A tome before street lights and light pollution made such ventures harder.

Our ancestors watched, and recorded phenomena.

Eventually patterns began to show, and we had a few celebrations set up for them.

The founders noted that on March 23, there was a brilliant wave of falling stars.

Since that time, it reoccurred in the same two week period each year. The Gamma Normids that were well documented, and well tracked.

Somehow, March 23 was the official day. The country celebrated with a festive night market that would last until late.

I smiled as I passed through the crowds.

Many gave me praise. Bless you, Supreme Leader. Guide us, Supreme Leader. Gratitude, Supreme Leader.

I responded back as best I could. Sometimes a dozen people would talk to me, and I surprised myself when I was able to smoothly reply to them.

A year ago, I would have struggled to stay coherent. Too many people talking to you was confusing at the best of times. The people, my children, all smiled as they all tried to give me their words of appreciation.

I smiled and waved.

Not everyone greeted me, and I could only watch as some glared. Some avoided me.

I was far from perfect.

Across almost the whole year of 2020, we faced difficulties that I thought would have been the end of us.

Children starved, and we were still tallying the death toll from that issue.

Yet, all around me, there was colorful stalls. People sold accessories, clothing, and trinkets ranging from toys to imported collectibles.

The important part was the smiles.

All around me, was the cheerful atmosphere of a night event.

“Its been a while since we celebrated Starlight Night.” Candice smiled as she weaved around the stalls.

I nodded, memories flashing. Carmen loved Starlight night. My little sister had even missed her final year’s event due to first service camping.

She probably saw the few falling stars, but missed the festivities. Though it was also highly likely that her camp had its own little parties.

During celebratory nights, the command structure tended to ‘overlook’ rule infractions. Things such as alcohol, and excess foods was a non issue.

First service was a combination of discipline, and fun. So long as it didn’t break big rules, or affect your performance next day.

I remembered Sargent Arbuckel, who loved to come in at the crack of dawn the day after any celebration. Morning exercises to invigorate the mind and body.

The hard ass was mean, cruel, and absolutely willing to crucify any fool too hung over to do endurance runs.

“Look!” a girl screamed as she pointed to the night sky.

I looked up as did many others.

Streaks of lights fell across the sky.

Carmen once said the same thing. She loved shooting stars.

They were a sign of great omen, to see shooting stars during March Starlight Night.

The streaks of lights became a shower.

I frowned.

This seemed like it was a lot more the last year.

The sky filled with lights, and I looked at Candice, who looked back. Her smile was fading as balls of fire began to approach the island.

A particularly large meteor crashed into the Long House’s parking lot.

The very ground shook, and the little girl who yelled tripped over her own feet. Her mother hauled up her up and they began to flee.

The initial explosion shook the air. Making everything shake again.

Then smaller explosions occurred as the impact broke cars, and set loose its innards. Things like flammable fluids.

The people were screaming.

“Get somewhere safer!” I gestured to the various buildings that made up the ‘Supreme’ district.

A second large meteor landed into the ocean, right off the edge of the beach.

A geyser of water shot into the air, and a small tidal wave engulf the beach.

“I need all available units to suit up, and head out for crowd control, and support. We have fires, and meteors!” Candice was yelling into a handset.

Then I fell over as a rock bounced off my head.

Candice was immediately by my side, shielding me with her body as she another rock bounced off her back. Lucky for us it wasn't very big.

I blinked as I gathered my wits. It wasn't a hard hit. I knew what day it was.

Then I looked down as something was warm. I was afraid I had peed myself.

Instead I stared at a pebble. It was no larger then the tip of my pinky.

What caught my eye, and caused even Candice to stop and stare, was its glow.

The little rock glowed as it radiated a green sheen across my hand.

————

Chapter Fourteen: March’s Starlight Night