Chapter 85: Augmented Anonymous
As I was the last one in the mansion, I closed the door behind me as I caught back up to the group. Looking around, I could see the disgruntled faces on the soldiers on the premise of yet another failed mission. Everything was going so well, yet once, it seemed like the odds weren't in their favor. I avoid making comments or saying anything as I make my way over to Jack and Chase.
A man walks up, who was the third in command, as he approaches Chase.
"After doing a head count, only three of the engineers survived. We're down to just ten of us, with the stratoscopter down. What are your orders?" He asks. I could see by the look on Chase's face that she was weighing her options, although they were few.
"What was the status of the heron siege?" Chase asks, and an engineer steps forward.
"All systems had the green light until were finalizing the initiation. I think some components were damage in transit, causing the systems to fail. It should still be operational for another attempt." The engineer reports.
"There's still that Titan to worry about. We can't sneak and turn it on because it will no doubt attract its attention. Nothing we had could take it down." She warns. Torbjorn steps up.
"If that heron becomes operational, I can guarantee there's enough firepower in it to take that mass of bolts down." He promises proudly.
"How long now until it becomes operational?" Chase asks.
The engineer looks sheepish, "Even with removing the damaged parts, there were a lot of bugs in the systems. With Lindholms help, we could reduce it down to a couple of hours."
The soldiers who were listening, shoulders began to sag. The Titan would just slaughter them. It was evident that the bravado they showed earlier was no longer there. The hope for the mission's success was extremely low. Through the intense silence, Jack takes over.
"For now, the best thing we can do is remain here until we secure evac. Let's secure the location." He orders.
Sluggishly, the soldiers carry out the orders until there's just the five of us left. Taking out her comms, she sighs for a second before making the call back to base. A hologram of two different figures pop up. One was Campbell, who was awaiting a report about the mission and, if the lore was accurate, this was supposed to be the Warrant Officer Duvall.
She goes to describe the events that happened, with Campbell's face growing decreasingly upset as she goes into what just happened. As she finishes up, Campbell practically growls,
"We'll deal with this once you return." Then his hologram fizzes out. Duvall continues in his place.
"About that return. A stratoscopter can be there at 0600 hours, but from your report, there is too many anti- aircraft weaponry in the area. Plus, there's a Titan to deal with as well. According to Lindholm's testimony, there's sufficient force with the heron to handle the Titan. My orders to the stratoscopter pilots is to be at that area within that timeframe. If they can't safely land, then they won't. Apologies, Captain." Duvall explains. Not wanting for our response, the holocast fizzes out, leaving us in silence.
No says anything until right next to me, S3bastian claps his hands together, bringing attention to him. "Alright. When we get back, anyone want to moose with me? And I'm talking about the animal, not the dessert."
While his words were amusing to me, I could see no one was having it as they go their separate ways, leaving just me with him in the room.
"Welp. Guess it's just the two of us to try it then again, Shawn." He says, looking at them leave.
"I never said I was going to eat that. I'm sure their meat is tough. Plus, I've never heard in my life, someone raving about the moose they've eaten." I reply back.
"Probably because they're keeping the secret to how tasty their meat is to themselves so they can hog it all." He says, actually trying to convince me.
"Or they're still chewing to this day." I respond, causing him to laugh as we walk around the mansion. Looking at Torbjorn argue with the engineers, S3bastian turns to me.
"Are you sure that heron siege can take that Titan down?" He asks skeptically.
"Yes, it can." I respond confidently, even though I wasn't quite sure how. They weren't exactly in the game, and the lore didn't really explain too much on how they worked. Nevertheless, it would be up and running tomorrow.
"I only ask because when we were in London, I... never mind." He says, which makes me curious as to what he was about to tell me.
"What?" I question.
"Nothing." He says, dismissing the conversation. I, too, stop trying as he would talk about whatever he was going to when he was ready. Parting ways, I go around the mansion, double-checking to make sure there aren't any omnics prowling nearby until night came.
Ignoring the tired looks from the soldiers who didn't want to risk sleeping, I went into the conservatory where Jack and Chase were talking. Closing the door behind me, I catch on to what they're talking about.
"Fifteen men. Fifteen had to lose their lives for my reckless plan. Now we're trapped here behind enemy lines with no hope for escape." Vivian's head hangs low as she thinks on the lives lost due to the complications of her plan.
I step forward to say something, but Jack beats me to it. "It happens Chase. As leadership, we all know that there is no perfect plan, no way to avoid the sacrifices that come with war. All we can do is try to minimize the sacrifices and honor those that do fall in battle."
She sighs as she hears the truth behind his words. "I know." She holds up her hands as she looks at the machine bits wearily. "It's crazy how many augments I have, and yet I still feel useless. But, if I didn't have them, I wouldn't be here today. Sometimes I wonder if I was meant to have them."
It's hard, isn't it? Being in this position where you're augmented. It's like you have this superpower, you can see the danger coming, but you don't have the power to protect them from it. I know, Chase. And I know it wasn't your fault."
Jack pauses after saying this as he contemplates his own experience with the Soldier Enhancement Program. Finally deciding to share it, he opens his mouth, but I cut him off this time.
"It's a matter of perspective, really. We can view these unique abilities we have as either a curse or a blessing. Growing up, prior to being adopted, I was an orphan who didn't really have anything. No hope, no despair, nothing. Just emptiness. When I did get adopted by him, I finally saw it, hope. Hope for a better future, and that void was filled for only but a moment.
I guess my father saw my ability later on and things changed. Let's just say that he wouldn't win the father of the year award. After years of neglect, that void started emptying out whatever it was filled with, until one day I realized my true potential. From that day forward, I swore to treasure this one thing I could possess. Something that could fill the emptiness. Now, I work to help those around me never have to feel the emptiness I once did."
I let my words marinate among the two. There was a ring of truth in them, but I mostly said what I said to appease to their feelings at the moment. It works as Jack shares his background.
"I was one of many chosen to take part in a biological enhancement program. Hearing about what it could do, what I would be, I was more than ready to participate. The process was grueling to say the least. Painful isn't enough of a word to describe the injections. There were times when I was in repeated comas for weeks. Nevertheless, if given, I were asked to do it again, I would." He explains.
Placing my hand on Chase's shoulder, I assure her, "We're meant to be who we are now. While you might not see it now, you instill hope and inspire all those around you. Humankind needs us now, if you want to see the positive impact you make, just give a moment, you notice."
She smiles warmly at the moment we all just shared. "Well, first we have to get out of here. I should probably go check on our hotheaded midget." Having said this, she exits the conservatory to do her part of convincing Torbjorn to work with Mina.
Looking over at Jack, who is staring out the window to the night sky, I silently leave the room. My job was done, as I felt that I successfully bonded with them over this moment. Maybe in the future, when things go wrong, Jack won't have to take his journey alone, and we can work together during his Soldier: 76 arc. Well, knowing his character, he still might not make that decision. I guess I'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
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