[The Mansion, Val Venezuela Special Zone]

[February 27, 2023]

The fairgrounds were a simple flattened zone of terraformed land. They did this with a simple combination of machines and metahuman support. They reinforced the very ground to be a mixture of earth and water. A mixture that turned into mud.

They drew pathways with shovels and lots carved out. A specialized engineer corps of metahumans changed the packed earth into mud bricks. Their powers allowing them to process the mud at an amazing rate.

The results were a as if a concrete parking lot had a fine layer of dirt sprinkled everywhere. It was hard enough to walk on, but easy enough to allow the earth to reclaim it if needed.

Then came the volunteers and project leads. They used eco-friendly paints to highlight stalls, vendors, game sites. Yellow was the color for the main pathways. The results were a very good, if unintentional, imitation of the 1939 wizard of oz set.

Other engineer corps set up the power lines from Camp Sunday. Security froces began patrols to ensure that there would no mischief.

In the weeks leading up to the event, fliers and advertisers began a campaign to showcase the fair. Local games and raffle draws for the VIP tickets were given away. The top prize included a photo op with the Supreme Leader himself.

A lavish dinner was included. Though most people were more interested in the dinner than the photo opportunity. A fact that surprised no one.

A powerful buzz got generated. The months of fear, anxiety, trails and tribulations were at an all time high. This channeled into the upcoming event as a surge of excitement.

A small fair was overnight, becoming the event of the year for the small city of Raccoon City.

—

The band played their hearts out. The military marching band was in full formal military dress as they played their set list.

The people lined up to see us. The streets, simple as they were, got packed with people. I wondered how many were excited to see us, and how many were bored out of their minds.

A skewed thought that got overturned by the raw ocean of smiling people. Their cheers as we passed was infectious and I couldn't help but smile back at them.

The children loved the small scale hot air balloons. They represented various advertisers and popular cartoon characters.

With the troubles of the country, many corporations had pulled stake and left. Combined with Val Verde’s lack of corporate holdings... we ignored intellectual properties with impunity.

Sofia was waving as we passed. The initial tension had drained from her after the first few blocks. Our white float was coming to the last stretch. The two of us greeted the various people as the parade cruised around the fair’s main street.

It wasn’t a long road, but it was a very slow one.

Kori was standing at my side, her face a glowing smile as she waved to everyone. She had suggested a small fair and Sofia took that to heart.

The people who were once stressed, tired, and afraid. Now they were celebrating and relaxing in a festival.

Streamers and balloons hung in the air. Everyone received tokens for food, gifts, and to play the rigged games. Prizes got handed out and a few metric tons of stuffed animals had gotten imported.

From the early morning until after dark, this one day fair was going to be fantastic. Bands were playing in one of two venues and fireworks were en route for the approaching night’s finale.

Everywhere I looked, I saw the people smiling. Even though they were not official citizens of Val Verde, neither would I ignore them.

So I smiled and waved.

—

Amelie walked to the designated crop of trees. Her visor had all the coordinates mapped in.

The optic cloak only made the heat worse. Though the Kenbishi Heavy Industries design was currently best on the market. It allowed her the grace to mosey up to the calculated vantage point.

The woman settled between several trees and she unslung her rifle. The Window’ Kiss changed form. Its open form streamlining and its barrel extending. The sniper mode was now active.

Amelie tapped at her headgear. The various eye lenses focused forward, and zoomed onto the fairgrounds.

She wasn’t that far off, but her target was no simple man, either. He wore a sophisticated suit that she was rather envious of. R&D was sure it was immune to small gunfire, but not immune against anti-material rounds.

The woman relaxed. Her breathing calmed and her ever slow heart rate settled further. It resembled a coma patient’s pulse.

The world slowed, and the only thing was her eyes and her target.

Johnny Rico was currently standing on a stage facing the crowds of humans and metahumans. He was now facing her, presenting a perfect target in the setting sun.

Amelie took in a deep breath. Her mind narrowed down to a single line of thinking.

Two rounds and it would mark the beginning of a new era.

Amelie breathed out. Her eyes focused and her system locked onto the target.

She squeezed the trigger.

How she loved these moments.

—

The world spun as I fell. Gravity seemed to yank me down as I hit the stage floor with a thud.

I spasmed. My limbs wouldn’t respond as I tried to sit up, or roll away.

Was there screaming? Someone was screaming.

I wondered if I was on fire, judging by the smoke rising from my body. My thoughts grew heavy as I to get up. My fingers and toes twitched in response.

[Crack!]

The sound of the gunshot caught up to us. Sniper, my mind supplied. I needed to get up! There might be a follow up shot.

Then one Cuckoo was there. Her skin transitioned from Caucasian white to translucent white. She was exquisite.

I couldn’t tell them apart, but the young metahuman was in her diamond form. The odd metapower that turned her body into a flawless diamond form. It rendered her immune against most forms of physical attack.

[Ping!]

A second shot shattered against her body, leaving behind a green residue and smoke. How odd that I could see it through her neck and head.

[Crack!]

The sound caught up to us as the diamond girl screamed something. Then there was wind.

Sofia was using her powers, but I couldn’t guess why.

The world grew colder. My eyes stared upwards as I didn’t have the strength left to move my head.

Where was Candice? I needed… I needed…

Breathing became harder. I needed…

My vision dimmed as Kori knelt at my side. Her eyes seared into my sight. Even frantic and screaming, she was beautiful.

I stared into her wide, green eyes. If she was the last person I saw… then I was indeed blessed.

I wanted to smile, but I needed… to… pass on the mantle of command.

Candice… Val Verde… Tomorrow.

The world went dark, and I didn’t notice my last shuddering breath.

————

Chapter 54: You give love a bad name [1986]