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alexboehm55144 · 4 years ago

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Alex Final Wars 2: Dark Alex, Chapter 39 - Before The Storm

"So what did you guys get out of the stuff we pulled from that Chinese base? One that was apparently supposed to be impenetrable." Nick asked before muttering to himself. "Heh, they were no match for this sly fox."

"We went to hell and back to get that stuff," Judy said.

"Thing is… we don't know yet," Jack responded. "There was a lot of information on those maps and papers you guys pulled. It will take time for the eggheads to go through it all."

"I have to say I really respect the analysts," Skye noted. "I mean, how much stuff have they looked at from just Heroes alone?"

The four mammals were sitting in Jack and Skye's Aston Martin as they drove through the busy Zootopian streets. Nick and Judy were in the back seats while the two ZIA agents sat upfront. All around the car, mammals moved and went about their business as the city entered the evening. Most mammals were probably heading home as the sky began to dim. While others were getting ready for a night on the town.

"You guys over at Heroes have recovered a ton of intelligence throughout this war." Jack said, "Servers, documents, maps. Knowledge is power."

"Yeah, that is true," Judy responded. "I can't believe how much action we've seen. This is a lot more than a normal day at the ZPD."

"Hey, sometimes things are pretty action-packed at the ZPD," Nick said. "There's a lot of dangerous crooks and thieves out there. Though none of them as crafty and talented as this sly fox."

This got a chuckle out of Judy.

"And here we are!" Jack said.

The car pulled into a parking lot of a one-story building with Japanese architecture. The walls were made of white-colored stone with wooden support pillars, covered by a pagoda-style roof made of matte green tiles. Mounted on the front wall was a red and white light-up sign that said:

"Tanukchi, Japanese Grill."

"Well, we'll certainly be eating good tonight!" Nick said, the four mammals stepping out of the car.

"Isn't this place pretty high-end?" Skye asked. "How did you get a reservation?"

"Well… heh…" a slightly mischievous look crossed Judy's face. "I may have let it slip that we were brave ZPD officers, and you two were selfless ZIA agents."

"Clever bunny," Nick said.

"And… I may have also mentioned that we were war heroes."

Sky and Jack laughed.

"Well, at least you got us a nice dinner," Jack said before the group headed inside the restaurant.

Inside the building, the walls were made of wood and paper, resembling traditional Japanese walls. However, there were also support pillars made of marble-like, red-colored rock with messy streaks of white running through it. A short distance from the two glass doors was a desk made out of bamboo, behind which was a fish tank teeming with aquatic life. The entire restaurant was filled with the sounds of people chatting and the metal clang of cooking equipment being used.

"Reservation for Hopps," Judy said to the fox behind the desk, prompting the mammal to check her computer.

"Hopps…. Ah! Right, this way!" The fox said, grabbing four menus and leading the two couples into the dining area. There were 4 grills, 2 for smaller mammals, 2 for larger mammals, set up in the dining area, each surrounded by stained wooden chairs. Above each grill was a vent to the outside. On the walls of the room were paintings of trees and natural landscapes.

The waitress handed out menus as the group sat down at a grill for smaller mammals. "Would you like to order your drinks now?"

Nick got a soda while Jack went for an ice tea. Judy had carrot juice, and Skye got water. The fox waitress left to get their drinks and appetizers.

"You know, it kind of surprises me how quickly life has got back to normal here," Skye said. The fox looked around at the families and groups laughing and enjoying their meals. "You would never have thought that a short time ago, this city was under assault by the Chinese military."

"I know," Judy said. "It's almost like a distant memory to everyone. But I suppose they're just looking ahead towards a brighter future."

"And the future is bright," Jack said. "We're really pressing hard on the PLA now. But regarding what you said, there are plans to make a memorial to commemorate the Chinese attacks on the city. The full-scale assault, the airship strike, and the concert."

"Well, I hope that helps the citizens of Zootopia remember what happened. And that we must be vigilant against those who want to hurt us."

"Hmm… well, we should get some fried rice," Nick said, perusing over the menu.

"Heh, thinking with your stomach, I see." Judy chuckled.

"I agree," Jack responded. "let's get some fried rice."

The waitress returned with drinks, as well as salads and miso soups for everyone. She also took their orders for meals.

"A chef will be with you shortly."

The waitress left, and the group began to enjoy their appetizers.

"Wow, this is really good," Jack said, trying the salad.

"Hopps told me this place is highly rated," Nick said, sipping the soup. "You did a good job getting us this reservation."

"I agree." Skye said, "thank you, Judy."

Judy smiled "aww, guys are too sweet."

A few moments later, a tanuki wearing a traditional chef's uniform came over to the grill with a small cart of ingredients and tools.

"Hello! Welcome!" The chef said, going over the group's order. "Let's get started!"

The tanuki started up the grill and began to cook the various vegetables for the fried rice. Skye took out her phone and captured the exciting moment in a video while the chef performed tricks. He spun his spatula and tools around in his hand and juggled an egg for the rice.

The chef then set up an onion volcano, filled it with edible oils, and lit it on fire. A tower of flame shot out of the small volcano, eliciting gasps from the officers and agents watching the show.

"Dinner and a show," Skye said.

The tanuki chef finished the fried rice, taking a small portion of the rice on his spatula and launching it in the air towards Jack. The rabbit opened his mouth to catch it, but it just bounced off his nose onto the floor.

The chef tried again, & this time Jack caught the portion of rice in his mouth. All the while, the other mammals laughed and watched the spectacle.

The tanuki then launched a portion of rice at Nick, who managed to catch it in his mouth on the first try.

Judy laughed clapped a little as Nick looked smug that he got it first try.

"We should hang out more often," Jack said as the chef began to serve the fried rice.

"I agree. It's just that we've been busy lately." Nick chimed in. "But when the four of us hang out, it's always fun."

000

"Come on, Toothdee, you'll enjoy it!" Laval said. "Arcades are fun. Although in Chima the arcades are usually less tech-savvy… but… same principles apply."

"I don't know…." Toothdee said, looking over some maps and papers in her room. "The end of this war is in sight, and I want to focus on my work so we can make the final decisive push to end this conflict once and for all."

"Hey, we've got them on the backfoot." Eris said, "besides, we're on shore leave right now. It's not the time to work. It's time to rest and recuperate."

"Yeah, you can't just keep fighting constantly. Evening though I do think that would be fun, you'll get worn out." Laval noted.

"Oh, alright, fine." The Heroes commander said, getting up from her desk and grabbing her phone and wallet. "Let's go."

"Great!" Eris said. "Laval spotted a place just down the road, within walking distance."

"Well, lead the way, Laval."

The trio left the typhoon and headed out of the guarded compound where the airship landed. The landing zone was in the city, giving Heroes good access to any part of Zootopia they needed to reach in the event of an emergency.

However it was not right in the center of the city, instead situated near the airport. This was to avoid buildings acting as flying obstructions and to cut down on noise pollution.

"You guys really love exploring Zootopia, don't you? Getting out and seeing the sights." Toothdee said as they walked.

"Totally!" Eris said. "It's a gorgeous city. I can see why Nick and Judy love it here."

"Yeah, I love exploring, so it's great to get a whole new city to explore!"

After a few minutes of walking, the group arrived at a building with big glass windows and a bright blue sign that said "arcade" on the front.

The inside of the building was dark, lit mainly through light from gaming machines. The air was filled with the sounds of said machines. Various boops and chimes were used to attract customer's attention. The floor was covered in a dark blue carpet, and a tired-looking mountain lion sat at a desk near the door.

The trio walked over to the desk, and the mountain lion didn't flinch upon seeing an evolved eagle.

"Hi, can we each get a card with $30 on it, please?" Toothdee said, "that seems reasonable, right?"

"Works for me," Eris said.

Each member of the group took out the required money and placed it on the counter. The cashier nodded and quickly transferred the money to 3 plastic cards that could be used to purchase games from the machines.

"Thank you," Laval said, the group heading towards the machines.

"What are you going to play first?" Toothdee asked.

"Uh… hm, well, I've seen this before," Laval said, walking over to a skeeball machine. "Now Chima does have games like this."

"I'll play against you!" Eris said, standing in front of a second Skee-ball device next to Laval.

"Alright! Your on!"

The couple slid their cards through readers on the machines, and balls were dispensed in return. As the two started rolling the hard plastic skeeballs down the length of the device, Toothdee went to examine some other games.

She spotted an arcade game with a large screen, and fake plastic guns hooked up to it. Across the top of the machine were the words "Terminator" along with a scary-looking robot head. Toothdee went over to the arcade machine and paid for a game before picking up one of the weapons. She could also keep her skills sharp while having fun.

The young warrior selected a level and began. Terminator robots appeared on screen and engaged. But toothdee fired the toy weapon at the screen, and the terminators in-game were struck down by gunfire.

As her character continued to move through the game world, gunning down robots, toothdee heard Laval and Eris behind her.

"Yes!" The eagle said. "I win! Don't worry, I know you let me win on purpose."

"I thought YOU were going to let ME win." Laval chuckled.

The pair came over to watch Toothdee, who continued to gun down terminators, even as her own player character took damage. Eventually, a game over screen appeared, and toothdee put the plastic toy gun back down on the machine.

"You know what's funny is most of the stuff here we can do for real," Laval said. "That motorcycle racing game over there? I can just hop on my speedor. That game you were playing where you shoot robots? You could just get a gun and charge into battle!"

"Heh, well, why don't you do that then?" Toothdee asked.

"Well, fighting can be fun. But it's nice just to do it… what's the word I'm looking for… Fictitiously! Without any worries, where you just have to get points."

"Alright, I can understand that. Now, what do you want to play next?" Toothdee said, turning towards the rows of game cabinets. "You guys were right. It is good to get out and relax once in a while."

000

Haida looked at a map on his phone and struggled to figure out where he was in relation to the roads and structures on the map.

"I'm telling you it's this way," Fabienne said, pointing down a roadway. "Trust me, I know this city."

"But it looks like it's this way on the map!" Haida said, pointing down a different street."

"It's not! Your just looking at it wrong!"

"Retsuko, what do you think?"

The red panda, who had been patiently watching the two argue, looked at Haida's phone. The hyena smirked, expecting his girlfriend to agree with him. Plus, he was pretty confident his examination of the map was correct.

"Hmmm…." Retsuko said, "I think Fabienne is right."

Haida's jaw dropped while Fabienne smirked.

"Alright then, this way."

The snow leopard started walking down the street, Haida and Retsuko in tow.

Haida looked a bit down that he was wrong, but Retsuko gave him a playful jab to cheer him up.

Eventually, the group arrived at a large stone building situated by the coast. The American flag was flying on a pole outside. There was a large wooden sign reading "Zootopia World War 2 Museum."

"Told you," Fabienne said.

The trio went inside, where a bunny attendant was waiting in a booth near the entrance.

"Hi! 3 please, general admission." Retsuko said.

The trio paid for their tickets and entered the museum, which was not very crowded. The rooms were filled with equipment, posters, flags, pictures, all from the Second World War.

Pictures of troopers in combat. Guns those soldiers would have used. Maps of the battle formations they would have been in.

Retsuko and Haida went over to a giant wall of black marble. Upon which were carved the names of soldiers from Zootopia who had distinguished themselves in combat during WW2. Above the wall was a black and white mural of US Soldiers of many different species.

Fabienne was busy looking at an exhibit about war correspondents during the Second World War. There was an old camera on display, articles published by war reporters, and photographs of correspondents. This sort of thing was right up her alley.

"It's amazing how much we've progressed," Fabienne said, looking at old photography equipment. She spotted an old camera that was a lot bigger than her phone and probably could only photograph in black and white.

The snow leopard moved on to a small exhibit that contained mannequins of different mammals in combat gear. There was a small video screen playing a video comparing the biological system of various mammals as soldiers.

"Humans make the best soldiers." Said a disembodied voice on the video, as the picture changed to show a human soldier on a long trek in the desert. "They have unmatched endurance and survival skills. Not to mention their skills in combat have been continuously refined and improved over millennia, in the many wars and battles fought by humans."

"Maybe that's why a human is the leader of Heroes," Fabienne asked herself.

"This does not mean other species are incapable of waging war. Many other types of mammals serve in specialist roles."

A picture of a Russian polar bear in arctic camouflage appeared on the screen as the announcer continued.

"Polar bears and other arctic mammals make good soldiers for sub-zero environments."

The screen changed again, showing a picture of a cheetah soldier.

"While cheetahs and Pronghorns make good couriers, depending on the distance being traveled."

The snow leopard found this fascinating. Every species was unique in some way.

The ZNN reporter moved to rejoin Haida and Retsuko. They were looking at an exhibit about imperial Japan and the war in the pacific.

"Wow, look at that," Retsuko said, examining a model of a US aircraft carrier.

Haida and Fabienne looked at a map of battle formations around an island, complete with pictures of soldiers.

One photo showed Japanese troops digging trenches around the island as defenses. Another picture showed US pilots getting into planes and preparing to launch from the deck of a carrier. A third picture showed US marines charging against stubborn and dug-in Japanese pillboxes on a hill, firing down at a beach.

"My God, it's so reminiscent of the current war," Fabienne noted, looking at another image of American and Japanese warships engaging each other as planes crisscrossed the sky.

"I know…" Retsuko said, "I mean, we're fighting in the pacific, with warships and planes. I guess history repeats itself."

"What I find amazing..." Haida said, "the US and Japan used to be such bitter enemies, and now they are great allies."

"Yep, it only goes to show you how things can change with time," Fabienne responded.

"Here we are, mammals from Japan, doing an important role in a US military organization," Retsuko said. "And there is no place I'd rather be."

The three mammals continued through the museum. Examining the past and how it could tell them about the present and future.

000

JayJay was in her cabin on the typhoon, putting away some clothes she had just washed. The wolf put a dress on a hanger, hanging it in the closet, before turning her attention to some stockings and a few shirts.

As the young hero finished putting her clothes away in a drawer, there was a knock at her door.

The wolf opened the door and smiled, seeing captain Boehm in front of her.

"Hey Jay, what are you doing?"

"Just putting away some clothes." The wolf said, quickly fixing her hair and making herself look presentable. "What brings you around?"

"Well… I was wondering if you would like to hang out?" The captain said, trying to speak confidentiality. "We could go somewhere. There's plenty of attractions around Zootopia. Or just stay here and watch a movie or something."

JayJay's tail started wagging.

"Oh! I'd love to take you out clubbing!" The wolf said.

"Clubbing? Eh… that's not exactly my thing…."

"Please!" JayJay said, giving Alex puppy dog eyes. "I'd love it if you came along!"

"Sigh, alright, fine."

"Yes! Trust me, you'll have fun! Let me just get my things and get ready to go."

"Ok, I'll go get my wallet. Meet you back here."

Both mammals used the bathroom, got their personal effects, and met back up outside JayJay's room before leaving the typhoon.

"I'm really excited," JayJay confessed. "You, my favorite person in the world, going clubbing and dancing with me, which is my favorite thing to do!"

"I mean, I'm not exactly big on that sort of thing… but I'll bite the bullet if it means spending time with you."

The wolf wagged her tail in excitement. The pair then came upon Kion and Jasiri, who walked down the hallway. Each had an arm around the other.

"What are you two up to?" Alex asked.

"We're just going out," Kion said.

"Oh! So are we!" JayJay responded. "I'm taking him to a club."

The wolf gestured at the human.

"Heh, didn't think that would be your kind of thing, Alex." Kion teased. "You are usually a very reserved person who tends to keep to himself."

"Your correct." The captain responded, "But I just like spending time with Jay."

"Well, I like spending time with Jasiri." The lion kissed the hyena on the cheek, making her blush. This prompted JayJay to turn to her companion. Giving a look that almost saying "What? Where's my kiss?"

"If you two are going out, what if we come with you? We could all hang out." Jasiri said.

"I'm fine with that," Boehm responded. "Jay?"

"I'm down! Let's go!"

The four left the typhoon and headed down the street, led by JayJay, who knew where all the excellent dance parties and nightclubs were.

"I am going to bring you out of your shell tonight." JayJay said to Alex, "you can't be so reserved all the time."

"I think you are the right person to do that." The human responded to the wolf. "You're so outgoing and social. I'm an introvert, your an extrovert."

"Opposites attract." Kion laughed.

After a few minutes of walking, the group reached a building with dozens of bright neon lights outside, shining in all colors.

"Hey! It's the party animal!" Said the bear bouncer, opening the door for the team to go inside.

More bright lights of all colors flashed above a dance floor made up of light-up squares, which also changed color frequently. Mammals packed the dance floor, moving and cheering as they enjoyed themselves.

A bar that glowed white from internal lights was stationed against one of the walls. Behind the bar were shelves of liquid backlit by blue light. Tables and chairs were set up around the main dance floor for mammals to chat and rest.

"Say what about loud noises?" Kion asked Alex. "I heard that introverts like things to be quiet."

"Yes, but Kion, I'm a soldier. I've heard the blasts of artillery strikes and the engines of rockets and jet planes. I can take some loud music."

"Do you guys want to get something to drink first?" Jay asked as the group drifted over to a table. "We need to stay hydrated if we're going to be dancing."

"What time is it?" Alex asked, "ah, I'll just have lemonade or something."

"Coke, please," Kion said. "No ice."

"Water is fine for me," Jasiri said.

"Alright! You guys have to pay me back, though. Kion, could you give me a paw? I can't carry all the drinks."

The wolf and lion left, heading to the bar.

"Say do we have any Glocks onboard the ship?" Jasiri asked.

"Yeah?" The captain said.

"I think I'm gonna try those as my pistols. See how they do in battle."

"Well, if you're going to use them, akimbo, we have plenty of attachments you can use. Sights, flashlights and lasers, muzzle breaks, and suppressors…. Heroes is well supplied."

"I can tell. I suppose all the money spent is worth it, though. We get the job done."

"Maybe you should get yourself another weapon if you find the pistols aren't cutting it. Like an SMG. Maybe an MP5 or UMP."

The human and hyena continued to discuss their weapons of warfare until Kion and JayJay returned with four glasses containing the drinks. The two giving Alex and Jasiri their beverages. JayJay had apparently ordered a beer, as her glass contained a foaming brown liquid.

"Jasiri and I were just talking about our combat gear," Alex said, taking a sip of his lemonade.

"Yeah, he thinks I should get an SMG for when the pistols don't cut it."

"I recently changed my armament as well." Kion said, "I quite like the LMG I got my paws on."

"Well, as I told Jasiri…" Alex said, "we have plenty of attachments you can put on."

"Oh sweet! I'll have to check those out."

"Well, while your running into battle with a sword and a big gun, my own equipment is a bit smaller," JayJay said. "Just a simple pistol and a machine pistol for when the going gets tough."

"Yeah, Kion, you are like the tank. With an LMG, a powerful sword, and your own strength to punch right through enemies." Captain Boehm noted. "Jay is more focused on her agility and speed."

"I've been thinking of getting a sword more like what you and Laval use. Chima style!" Kion said. "Also, JayJay, isn't your pistol an older design? 1911?"

"Yep! And not just any 1911. That very pistol was wielded by my ancestor, Jim Burdel, during WW1!"

"Wow, That should be in a museum."

"Hey, I like to think I'm doing right by my ancestor by carrying his weapon into battle. Though I don't know if he would like the paint scheme I've given it, he's not here to complain."

Suddenly the loud dubstep music slowed down, and all the lights on the dance floor turned a light blue as their movement speed slowed down.

"It's time for a slow dance!" The DJ said, "Maybe grab that special someone and bring them out onto the floor!"

Jasiri smirked at Kion and jumped up, gesturing for Kion to follow her, which he did. They headed out onto the dance floor, joining in the crowd of mammals.

Jasiri playfully pushed Kion, trying to figure out how exactly he should dance with his hyena. Fumbling with his paws and where to put them in a way that was not lewd.

The lion's lover just hugged him close, prompting Kion to wrap his arms around her and slowly turn and dance.

"Come on, Alex!" JayJay said, standing up, prompting the captain to do the same and follow her.

The two mammals reached the dance floor, surrounded by other mammals and couples, moving slowly to the music.

Under the blue light, the pair embraced, nuzzling against each other's fur and skin. Alex and JayJay closed their eyes, enjoying the moment with each other, along with the other couples on the dance floor, including Kion and Jasiri. But the human and wolf were just focusing on each other. Both of them were, to the other, the most important mammal in the world.

Moments like these were what they were fighting for. China was an autocratic nation, curtailing freedoms and liberties. But here, people could be free and enjoy themselves without fear of the government or military.

It was these moments of peace that made their battles worth it. Worth fighting for a million times over.

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alexboehm55144 · 4 years ago

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Alex Final Wars 2: Dark Alex, Chapter 38 - Extraction

Jack, Skye, Haida, and Retsuko monitored the battle from the combat information room of the Typhoon. The whole room was dark, only illuminated by blinking lights and information display screens.

“Jack, there’s a report here of a high-value target in the form of a Chinese ace pilot,” Retsuko said. “He’s already taken out 2 escort craft and 5 US jets.”

“Roger, I’ll assign those Canadian fighters to hunt him down and eliminate him,” Jack said, starting to send electronic messages to US and CA fighter jets in the skies.

“Hey, I’m also getting a request for a missile strike on an enemy ship out there,” Haida said.

“I’m on it!” Skye responded. “Marking targets and firing missiles.”

“Jack, do you read?” Captain Boehm’s voice came through the radio.

“Affirmative.” The rabbit responded.

“We’ve got the intelligence and are moving to exfil location.”

“Got it. I’m dispatching the extraction party now and pushing the extraction location to your heads-up display. Remember you are to deliver the intelligence to the USS Iwo Jima waiting offshore, and then, return to the Typhoon.”

“Roger that, see you back at the ship.”

“Direct hit!” Skye said, watching on a computer screen as the missile impacted the Chinese warship and blew it apart in a fireball and shower of debris.

“Jack, this is Toothdee and JayJay, enemy supplies destroyed.”

“Glad to hear it. Move back to the hovercraft on the shore and prepare to leave.”

“Roger that.”

“Haida, Retsuko, any new priority reports coming in?”

“Nothing that’s high priority now,” Retsuko said.

“Alright, then let’s just keep doing what we’re doing. Monitoring communications, directing troops, and providing support. Keep up the jamming and electronic warfare operations.”

000

“Ahhh!”

“Hang on, Laval!”

“I’m hanging on, Eris!”

The eagle swooped and spun her jet to avoid incoming missiles while releasing flares. She dove down and strafed a Chinese SAM site on top of the fortress, hitting multiple PLA troops and destroying the missile battery.

The eagle cheered and climbed back up into the sky before turned around in her seat to check out Laval. His eyes were wide, and he was gripping the sides of the cockpit.

“Calm down, fur boy.” She teased. “Aren’t you a brave lion warrior?”

“Yeah, warrior! Not pilot!”

“Alright, let’s do something a bit more your speed.”

The eagle pitched the aircraft down so the pair inside could see the ships in the sea below.

“How about that small blue and gray vessel right there?” Laval said, pointing to a type 22 missile boat. A pontoon craft with a pair of missile pods built into the vessel and a blue and gray disruptive camouflage scheme.

“You got it, Laval!”

The eagle jet pulled down towards the missile boat, aiming at its forward cannons and peppering them with gunfire. The shots disabled the weapons, and a well-placed missile destroyed the boat’s central antenna.

Eris pulled in above the vessel, making it difficult for the missile pods to hit the jet, as they did not face directly forward. If they did fire upon the plane, it would crash onto the missile boat.

Eris put her jet in automatic hover, and the pair jumped out of the cockpit, Eris grabbing Laval and using her wings to break his fall. Upon landing, the lion covered her by using his sword to deflect incoming shots from naval troops. At the same time, Eris drew her ax and blaster.

The pair charged forward, cutting and gunning down naval troopers before making it into the vessel’s bridge and eliminating the commanding officers inside.

One of the doors into the bridge opened as a PLAN sailor tried to assist, but Eris cut him down, and Laval threw a Chi grenade through the door before kicking it shut. The explosion killed more responding sailors while Laval and Eris went to work slashing the ship’s controls with their sword and ax.

Once the controls were thoroughly rendered inoperable, the pair left the bridge and proceeded towards the back of the boat. Eris flying over the bridge structure while Laval skillfully jumped towards the stern, cutting down another naval trooper.

The missile pods were located on the back of the boat, and Eris used her chi blaster to destroy the starboard pod. Laval pulled out a grenade that appeared to contain two glowing blue orbs of chi attached together, with a long golden handle to throw the weapon.

The lion prince tossed the grenade into the other missile pod, detonating and destroying the missile system.

All the while, the boat had been moving forward. This meant Eris’s eagle jet was now behind the boat instead of in front of it.

Laval raced towards the stern, jumped off the boat into the air before Eris grabbed him, and carried the lion back into the jet’s cockpit.

The pair laughed and gave each other a high five as Eris piloted back into the sky.

“That was great, Eris!”

“You can say that again! I can tell your loving those new chi grenades you’ve been trying out lately.”

“Yeah, they are pretty useful. I might have to add those grenades to my gear. Change it up a bit from the sword.”

“Join the club and get a blaster or firearm.”

“Eh, I am more of a swordsmammal. You know I’m always worried your not going to catch me whenever we do something like that.”

“Are you still scared of the water? I taught you how to swim.”

“I’m not scared! I’m just... uh.....”

“Haha! Don’t worry, sweetie, I’ll always catch you.”

The lion leaned forward and planted a kiss on the eagle’s cheek, making her blush. But she did enjoy it.

“What’s next?” Eris asked, pitching the jet down again so they could see the battlefield.

The pair scanned the ships in the area. Determining where they should strike next.

000

Nick and Judy burst through a door that was sized for small mammals. At the same time, the commandos went through a medium mammal sized door, both leading down another hallway in the fortress.

Kion and Alex moved through the medium-sized door, the captain emptying a whole magazine on the pursuing PLA soldiers. Once he ran dry, Kion pushed some supply crates in front of the door as a barrier.

“Keep going!” Judy yelled, “we’re almost out of here! Sweet cheese and crackers!”

The group came to a vehicle bay that leads outside to a flat grassy area.

Chinese troops were busy engaging US troops near a landed helicopter, allowing Heroes to drop on the enemy soldiers and gun them down.

“Friendlies!” The captain yelled as they approached the extraction team.

“Hold fire!” One of the US soldiers yelled.

“We’re ready to get you out of here, sir.” A human trooper with an M249 LMG said, approaching Alex.

“Yes, let’s not waste any time.”

Suddenly more gunfire rang out, and the trooper with the LMG went down as more enemies emerged from the fortress.

“Return fire!” One of the commandos yelled as captain Boehm grabbed the injured trooper and brought him to one of the extraction helicopters.

Other warriors fired back, as did the side-mounted guns on the helicopters.

Kion grabbed the fallen trooper’s LMG and sprayed the incoming enemies, taking down three in just a few seconds.

“Oh, I like this thing!” Kion said, looking over the LMG.

The incoming troops were dead, and Heroes piled into one of the black hawk helicopters while the commandos got into another.

The choppers lifted off and headed out to sea as US ships and fighters opened up on the fortress with a massive final salvo. Aircraft launched missiles that streaked through the air while warships opened up with their main cannons.

Shells and missiles impacted the fortress, causing cracks to form throughout the building’s superstructure. The entire area was blanketed with smoke and debris as the Chinese citadel was reduced to a broken husk.

The helicopters moved away from the battered fortress and towards the USS Iwo Jima. An amphibious assault ship, reminiscent of an aircraft carrier, but smaller in size, possessing only one lengthwise facing runway along with space for helicopters.

The black hawks set down on the deck. Heroes pilled out of the aircraft, linking back up with the commandos as a commanding officer and other troopers ran over to them.

“Heroes! JTF-2!” The rabbit commander said, “we’ve been tasked with securing the intelligence from you. Thank you for getting it to us.”

One of the Canadians handed the bag of maps and documents to one of the troopers.

“Our ships are withdrawing from the area and heading back out to sea. However, it’s likely the Chinese may attempt to pursue.”

Seconds later, missiles impacted the ship, causing the vessel to shake and throwing mammals off their feet.

“INCOMING!” A sailor yelled. “People’s Liberation Army boats and aircraft!”

Small rubber dinghies packed with soldiers and helicopters neared the USS Iwo Jima.

“We’ll get the intelligence out of here, but we could use your help defending the ship.” The rabbit commander said.

“We’re on it! Refill your ammo!” Captain Boehm ordered, moving over to some supply crates and retrieving the necessary ammunition for his gear. He noticed some magazines for Judy’s pistol and handed them to the rabbit.

“Thanks, Alex.” The rabbit said, putting a fresh clip into her pistol.

Kion found a sharpening stone used for sharpening bayonets and combat knives. He quickly gave his blade a once over to sharpen it before retrieving more magazines for the LMG he picked up.

“Do you have any arrows?” Nick asked.

“Yeah, that crate over there.” The rabbit commander said, pointing to a rounded container with the symbol of an arrow on one side.

“Oh wow, you guys are well stocked!” The fox said.

The personnel with the bag of documents scurried away as the Chinese reached the vessel.

Helicopters opened fire on US troops on the deck before depositing their personnel.

Grappling hooks shot up from the water below and attached to the ship’s side as hostile troopers boarded the vessel.

Alarms blared as an announcement came over the ship’s loudspeakers.

“All hands! We are being boarded! I repeat we are being boarded!”

“Defensive positions!” Captain Boehm yelled, the team taking up positions behind some aircraft on the deck. One of the Canadians even got on a side-mounted gun on the side of a landed helicopter.

The first PLA troops to emerge onto the deck of the Iwo Jima were red pandas, who could easily climb the ascent cabled up onto the ship. However, they were instantly gunned down by defending forces.

Other US sailors and marines also opened fire on incoming hostiles all over the vessel.

“We have a problem!” Nick said. He pointed to a pair of Z-9 Haitun helicopters approaching the ship, covered by a Z-10W attack chopper.

Heroes and JTF-2 immediately turned their attention to the approaching transport helicopters and gunship.

One commando opened up on a Z-9 with the side-mounted gun, causing the vehicle to burst into flames and explode.

Nick took cover to avoid a burst of machine-gun fire from the attack helicopter before quickly firing back with arrows tipped with explosives.

The other transport helicopter managed to land and deploy troops, who instantly engaged with defending troops.

Kion aimed at the wounded attack helicopter and emptied a whole magazine into the aircraft, trying to hit the cockpit.

The fox pilot inside spammed as he was hit by bullets before slumping forward on his control stick, causing the chopper to crash into the Iwo Jima.

“This thing is awesome!” Kion said, looking over his LMG.

“Cut their lines!” The captain said, him and Kion drawing swords and charging towards the enemy grappling hooks.

A tiger trooper reached the top deck and tried to raise his LMG, but the captain slashed him across the chest and kicked him off the ship.

The pair of swordsmen then slashed at the grappling cables and pried at the actual hooks attached to parts of the USS Iwo Jima itself.

Enemy troops opened fire at the pair of Heroes. Still, they could not prevent the cables from severed, the climbing mammals falling into the sea, or landing hard on the boat below.

“Topdeck is clear!” A sailor yelled.

“There’s still Chinese in the hanger deck below!” Another sailor said, this one being an otter and armed with an SMG.

“Heroes will move to reinforce!” Captain Boehm said. “Let’s get down to the hangar deck!”

“Roger, we’ll stay up here and defend the top deck!” The JTF team leader said.

“This way, Heroes!” The otter sailor yelled before leading the four mammals into the ship and down to the deck below. “The ship has been disabled! We’re sitting ducks!”

“We can fix our engines once we’re safe!” Judy said, hopping down a staircase to the hanger deck.

The sound of gunfire grew closer as Heroes entered the hanger.

Friendly and hostile troops engaged each other, fighting around helicopters and fighter jets in the hanger.

Heroes immediately engaged the enemy forces, taking down 5 hostiles using the element of surprise. The other Chinese troopers fired back at the incoming reinforcements while attacking the other US soldiers.

One of the enemy troopers tossed a grenade. The explosion destroying the landing gear of the jet Kion was taking cover behind. The lion rolled out of the way of the plane as its fuselage hit the floor.

More PLA soldiers entered the hanger via the massive side door that led to the elevator up to the main deck.

“There’s too many of them!”

Judy targeted a cluster of supplies containing fuel and ammunition.

The rabbit opened fire on the supplies. They detonated in an explosion that enveloped a fighter jet and caused the plane’s fuel tank to explode. Both the aircraft and the nearby enemies were reduced to burned husks.

Suddenly, the Iwo Jima rocked again as it was struck, causing everyone in the hanger to fall down as the ship shook.

“What the hell was that?” Captain Boehm asked, scrambling to his feet.

“Are they bombarding the ship while their own forces are inside?!” Judy said, hopping back to her feet and landing in a combat-ready position.

The ship creaked and moaned from the damage that had been caused by the incoming Chinese attacks. It was too much, and an announcement came over the vessel’s loudspeakers.

“All hands abandon ship!”

“That’s our cue to get out of here,” Nick noted.

“This way, Heroes!” The otter sailor said, “there’s a RHIB boat nearby!”

“Well, lead the way then.”

Kion and Alex fired a hail of bullets as covering fire before the group left the hanger and moved through the ship’s hallways.

“JTF-2, I’m sure you heard the announcement. Abandon ship.” Captain Boehm said into his radio.

“Affirmative, sir! Friendly forces are spinning up a helicopter on the upper deck.” The Canadian team leader said.

“Roger that, see you back home.”

The team arrived at the RHIB boat, suspended off the side of the ship above the water. Heroes and the sailor piled in, along with three marines who were also fleeing the ship.

“What about the bag of documents and maps?” Judy said as the marines lowered the boat off the ship into the sea. “Don’t tell me we did all that just for those things to get soaked.”

“That rabbit commander probably has it covered. They aren’t going to let something that vital go down with the ship!” Kion said as the boat reached the water, and Alex began to pilot away from the Iwo Jima towards other US naval ships.

“It looks like the ship is still floating.” The otter noted. “But she does appear to be smoking badly, and I see lots of damage.”

“It’s also swarming with Chinese.” One of the marines said.

Suddenly enemy troops on board the ship fired at the fleeing troopers, forcing the mammals in the boat to fire back as they fled.

Back on board the ship, a US marine carrying the bag of Chinese intelligence ran down a hallway to the vessel’s stern. He was accompanied by several other marines and sailors, all trying to escape the stricken vessel.

Reaching a door, one of the troopers tried to open it but could only get it partway open. It was jammed, and none of the marines or sailors were able to squeeze through the opening. However, other naval troopers on the other side of the door attempted to pry it open.

The ship’s metal around them creaked from stress, and the hallway went dark as the power went out, the only light coming from the door’s porthole. Sounds emanating from the dark end of the hallway. Footsteps and the sounds made by a soldier’s kit jingling and moving slightly as they walked. US naval troopers took up combat positions, weapons at the ready. The soldiers still had no visual of the source.

Then the dark end of the hallway lit up a bright red. The red glow emanating from Dark Alex’s blade and its wielder gazing down upon the naval troopers.

“CONTACT! CONTACT! ENGAGE! ENGAGE!” A US sailor yelled. Bullets flew forward, but to no avail. Alex’s counterpart either deflected them with his sword or evaded them altogether.

As he got closer to the naval troopers, he slashed through them, inflicting fatal wounds. He sliced a tiger in half, cut down a pair of humans, and slammed a fox into the wall with brutal strength.

“Get the package out of here!” The trooper carrying the intelligence said, stuffing the bag through the gap and handing it to a sailor.

He tried to draw his sidearm but was sliced in half by Dark Alex, who then used his sword like a lever to pry open the jammed door using immense strength.

The trooper who now had the intelligence bag ran into the ship’s stern well deck, used to hold amphibious vehicles.

Other naval troopers attempted to engage the incoming Dark Alex, but he sliced through them with ease.

The trooper shut the metal door to the well deck and ran for the landing craft that was docked, full of supplies and equipment.

“LAUNCH! Get us out of here!”

The trooper jumped on the landing craft, along with other naval personnel. The vessel sped out of the well deck, just narrowly avoiding Dark Alex’s fury.

The evil swordsman watched the craft flee and was filled with rage.

The US now had ahold of vital intelligence, and they had all but obliterated a mighty Chinese fortress.

Things were looking bleak for him and his allies. But no matter how dark it got, no matter how much the US beat them back, he would see their armies crushed and all members of Heroes gutted for what they had done.

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