The operation was unlike any other. Lukas sat near the exit of the truck, allowing him to see the other four trucks behind the convoy filled with the recently sent 666IB soldiers from other Outpost Detachments. Most of them had seen a fair share of Hell and doesn't need any form of watered down instructions unlike with the rookies who were clueless about almost everything.
Lukas thought about the words of the Major yesterday. When he said that they are going to end this, he really is being serious. Otherwise, he wouldn't have requested a large number of personnel and launched a major offensive in this tiny village that probably has little capability to defend itself against a small platoon of 666IB soldiers.Some of the troopers were loant from the other Outpost Detachments and will return to their original duties after this. It was understandable. The 666IB was the only largest paranormal combat unit, but their numbers are limited. Replenishing it required a long timeHe glanced at the photo with tears falling from his eyes. He held the only possession he have. It was against the rules of the Battalion to obtain any object that would remind its personnel the former lives they had but Lukas does not care.It was an image of him and his wife by the beach. In her bosom, she carried an infant draped in blanket. It was taken by her sister when they had a family reunion before. He wondered how the two of them are doing now since his "death" three or four years ago. The watchers under his payroll told him that she had already found someone--a banker and a childhood sweetheart of hers. Her new husband treats her and their daughter well and she was currently carrying a second baby.It hurt him to hear that she was already happy in the arms of another man, but the sacrifice he--and the others--have made were neccessary to ensure the continuous survival of the nation against the threats that they have no knowledge of.Better that way th
"Greetings, gentlemen." Major Tomas Veras greeted as they entered. Lukas sat at the middle, as usual, with Alice sat beside him. The aging officer activated the projection after the lights of the room deactivated. "The cellular phone that 1st Lieutenant Francis Borja and his group had recovered contained vital intelligence that would aid us in the pursuit of our target."An image of another village by the river located in Sirawai appeared in the projection screen. The picture was a real-time satellite image and, despite being thousands of feet above, the image possessed a clarity like no other, revealing small details in great accuracy.He saw a handful of wooden huts along the river as well as long flat platforms or bridges that connected the treetops together. By the looks of it, the settlement looked more of a guerilla's hideout than a village. He guessed that beneath the leaves, there were tree houses occupied by belligerents. It put the defenders at a tactical adv
This time, it was Lukas and Francis who watched behind the observatory window. In front of the Mambabarang was Sergeant Alice Abantay, and the newly promoted Corporal Jan Nagar.Roberto was restrained in the same manner as the cultist who previously sat in his chair. The Mambabarang watched in amusement, his gaze was glued at the soldiers before him."I never knew the Armed Forces has a branch specialized in occult combat." He chuckled."And we are good interrogators too." Alice said as Nagar lifted the knife from the wheeled table by the wall."Wait, isn't this police brutality? I have rights too!" The Mambabarang protested."I'm afraid we are not police." Alice grinned as Nagar raised the knife in the air, causing the light to reflect against its shiny blade. "And their jurisdiction does not reach us. Meaning, we could kill you here without no one finding out.""Okay, okay," Roberto shifted uncomfortably in his seat, still smiling as if al
Under the cover of the night, their transport journeyed to the targeted location. Lukas caressed the grip of his blessed rifle and calmed his troubled mind that was slipping to yet another world of random thoughts again but he thought that there was no point in wishing back his previous life or how things should be and decided to refocus his thoughts on something else entirely.He noticed that their transport vehicles, no matter how long the distance was, always arrived to its destination in a short period of time. Sometimes, the vehicles itself were occasionally seen by civilians in broad daylight when there were no secret routes available to take.He heard from the privileged few included in the Personnel Exchange Program with the Agency, that their vehicles were modified using the organization's advance tech that allowed them to reach point A to point B in a short span of time. In addition, their vehicles were also fitted with a cloak tech that made it looked like a
The two teams met in the middle silently and moved on. Just like the first corridor, it ended with an eastward bent, which they crossed before they ascended to the third floor. Lukas recalled that the lights came from the rooms of this level and the level above. He tightened his grip as they arrived at the floor...Only to be disappointed.The floor contained no doors, only a straight narrow corridor with bare walls flanking it on either side. Strangely, the floorboard was dimly illuminated from the lower parts of the walls where the doors should have been. Lukas could see moving shadows, as if someone was inside. He was curious what lies behind it."I wanted to blow up a chunk of this wall." Francis whispered at Lukas. "But the element of surprise that we have would be lost for sure.""What do you think was behind it?" Lukas asked."I'm guessing a nightclub." Francis joked. He pulled out a small rectangular pack of explosives wrapped together by a
"Lukas!" Francis called and his team turned, only for him to shout not to break the formation apart. "Wait, it's us!""I know it's you!" Lukas yelled back, still not turning. "We pissed the monster off! I suggest you duck before we--" another five minutes, "--now, now!"Francis hit the deck but some of the soldiers reacted a second too late and got hit in the chests. Another loud whimper and the sound of clattering."Who are the dumb fucks who didn't duck?!" Lukas yelled in irritation as the domed arcade above was now replaced with the regular ceiling commonly found with the previous floors, but the pillars still persisted.Another five minutes, they opened fire again. The pillars disappeared and the nondescript ordinary walls replaced it. The corridor beyond was still shrouded in liquidous shadow."Soldiers, I think the bastard was now in front of us." Lukas calmly said. "Take aim." He ordered.They turned and raised their rifles at its dir
The Observatory Post simply known in the papers and maps of the 666IB as 'Golf-745' was larger than he expected. It was a telecommunications building purchased by the government from some company in the verge of bankruptcy, its services were only available to the civilians nearby for a good reason. The real purpose of the establishment laid hidden beneath the centimeters-thick floor of the OP and was only accessible to those who have proper clearances.It was midnight when they arrived at the building. Due to the disseminated news of a serial killer, the populace had retired to their bedrooms earlier and even the most wayward of people refused to go outside at this hour in fear of becoming the next in the headlines. The fabricated story came from within the walls of this building, and for Lukas, OP Golf-745 had done its job well in maintaining control of those within their area of jurisdiction.The story of a "serial killer" was created when the 666IB soldiers of the O
The moon was brighter than before as dusk drew closer. Lukas glanced at the twinkling stars for a few seconds, mesmerized by its beauty before his gaze went down to the mountains in the far horizon. He gradually developed an affinity for the night sky, which now started to comfort him. The night became a symbol for him that defined the world they lived in. He believed that as long as there are monsters around, the world will never see the light of the "true" day. It will always be shrouded in darkness, no matter what.Maybe, his military career had steeled his guts for every worse thing that the shadows threw at him. He sighed and wondered when will this end.The truck entered Kapalong City. Just like the area around Observatory Post Golf-745, the small city was asleep, save for a few policemen manning the checkpoints. As usual, the truck appeared like any other normal civilian vehicles in their eyes. It was stopped and the driver was asked where he was heading. He han