Chapter 110: A clash of reality
Milano sighed as he looked down at the reports stacked in front of him. "Yes sir. Thank you."
Nieto flipped a page in the docunt in front of him. "I am curious, General. We closed the file on your unit one year ago. Gear disappeared, no wreckage and your entire unit was listed as KIA. Clearly that was premature. That beca evident after the..."
The president paused, his hands folding in front of him.
"Vegas fracture... Explain the events that took place after your unit was engaged in the C-17’s."
Milano looked up at the President.
"Sir, that explanation may shock you. I assure you the story is real, but it will sound ludicrous. Nearly six hundred soldiers can corroborate the story."
Nieto arched his eyebrows, and shared a look with the Secretary of Defense. He leaned forward, clicking a pen. Other pens in the room clicked as the cabinet prepared to take notes.
"Proceed."
Milano nodded. "Yes sir. After the C17s were shot down, the entirety of the battalion was brought to what I can only describe as heaven. Or sothing that mirrors what we know as biblical ’heaven’."
As he spoke, the scribbling of pens stopped. The president looked up, his eyes narrowed. "Are you saying that God exists, General Milano?"
Milano sighed and nodded. "Mr. President, Gods and goddesses exist. We were saved by a Goddess. She offered us a choice that narrows down to fight and help save her world, or die on Earth."
The president exhaled, leaning back in his chair. Murmurs echoed throughout the briefing room as various Generals looked up in shock. No one spoke as Milano continued the story.
"So chose to pass on, their souls remaining on Earth. Others chose to fight in her world. Since then, we have been encountering an Empire that controls approximately ninety percent of the world. As of the most recent engagent, we have successfully pushed them beyond the borders of our allied nation Riemskin after a month long siege."
President Nieto crossed his arms and looked at Milano.
"You were correct in pointing out that your report sounds ludicrous. We have evidence however, that supports your account. Pictures surfaced approximately eight months ago of your battalion standing in the ’Heaven’ you spoke of. From there, every major engagent you have been in made headlines when soldiers began to post about the events in question."
Milano frowned, his forehead creasing as he rubbed his face in his hands. "The soldiers were able to capture photographs of the Goddess." He grumbled.
"Yes."
The Secretary of War than addressed General Milano. "General Milano...."
As the Secretary began speaking, the screen flickered. All light in the command room began to flicker. The president looked up, his brows furrowing. "What is going on?"
Secret Service mbers rushed into the room as the ground began to shake violently. The Generals looked around and began barking out orders. "Under the desk! Now! All other personnel, get under anything sturdy!"
Nieto was pushed under the desk in front of him, his mind racing as he looked down. His jaw dropped. A massive hole flickered in and out of existence, appearing to swallow the building. He saw light flickering on the other side of the hole, with purple trees and two suns.
"Son of a-"
His consciousness faded as his vision went dark.
Elsewhere in the building, panic and chaos ensued. The building seed to implode inwardly as pieces of the structure were swallowed into the hole. The Secretary of War stood there, watching officers and soldiers alike try to run from it, but it was no use. His eyes traced each person dissappearing, watching as protective shells of light wrapped around them like the bubbles from a child’s ga.
"We’re going to the other side." He whispered, not realizing he spoke out loud. He felt the pull from the other side, and didn’t fight it as he began walking forward. His body felt heavy, but he didn’t resist. He looked outside the window, seeing the entirety of the hole. It spanned as far as he could see.
"Well, I hope Maya and the kids co with us." He said before he too blacked out.
Eric and Milano stood up as the screen went black. They tried to call the president again, and received no answer. Eric then rembered sothing the last video fra had rendered, purple lightning flashing around the room.
"No fucking way!"
He grabbed the radio from the radio operator.
"All units, be advised. At least a part of Washington D.C. will be fracturing to Brishan. I repeat, at least a part of Washington D.C. Will be fracturing to Brishan. Any non essential missions are canceled. Co back to Hood Hill imdiately."
Nieto woke up to an Agent shaking him. "Sir! Sir! Are you okay?"
"Yes. I’m okay. What happened?"
The Agent looked around, sighing. "I-"
The Secretary of War walked up to him, offering his hand. "I think the entire city was just brought into Brishan, Mr. President."
The panicked voices and shouting ceased as the Secretaries words echoed off the walls. Outside of the windows, light shined through, but the angle was off, coming from both sides and reflecting off the table. Nieto sighed as he looked at the city street. Cars had stopped, and Ergency vehicles could be heard off in the distance. He looked out to the east, spotting purple trees.
"Yes, it appears we have."
He exhaled as he stood up, looking around the room. "Alright, ever since the first fractures, we have had contingencies planned for this. Mobilize all units, secure a periter around the city. Contact Milano, and have him send a Battalion over in support. I want ISR and satellite feeds if we can get them. In one hour, we will make an address to the nearby public, and also the country. Get Austin on the line."
Aides stood at the desk, jotting notes as the room beca a bustle of activity. He heard calls connecting in the background as various orders were being issued. He sat down at his desk while the Secretary’s joined him.
"Try to reach Milano through video call again."
"Yes sir."
Eric stood up, pacing as he listened for radio chatter. He looked out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of any new skylines, but it was useless. The forest around them blocked any view he would have had.
Behind him, Milano tapped the desk. "Of all the things to cross over. Washington D.C." The general grumbled as he looked up at Eric. "Has ISR been notified yet?"
"Yes sir. They have their drones in the air as we speak. I also inford 4-1 to mobilize. When we find out where D.C. took root, they will help secure the city. I will go there personally and coordinate efforts."
"No. You are needed here. When the President and the cabinet call back, we will be in this room coordinating next steps."
"Roger."
As if on cue, the projection ca to life once more. The call connected as S-6 was able to get in contact with the president.
Eric had to stifle a chuckle as he noticed disheveled hair and wild eyed Secretary’s sitting next to wide-eyed Generals. The president sat at the head of the table, his eyes narrowed.
"I assu you are aware we are in Brishan by now?"
Milano nodded. "Yes sir. I have ISR in the air attempting to locate the city. We should know where D.C. is located within the next ten minutes."
"Good. Once you have us located, send a battalion to secure the outskirts of D.C. I am imposing a curfew on the city, and we will not be allowing anyone in or out for the ti being. In one hour, I will address the public. After that address, we will reconvene and discuss our next steps."
Milano nodded. "Yes sir. We will standby and wait for your call."
"And sir? Welco to Brishan."
The president exchanged a wry smile with Milano before the call disconnected. Milano sat back in his chair, looking at Eric.
"Looks like you’re not getting that vacation after all, Dryer."
Eric simply sighed in response.
"I was a fool for expecting one in the first place, sir."
The two shared a laugh, and Tryasche spoke up. "We Dragons will assist in anyway you need us to. You have a desire to find your capital, do you not? I can scry the planet with mana vision, looking for the city."
Milano shook his head.
"Dragon King, I appreciate your willingness to help, but we have already asked so much of your people in this war. I do not wish to ask for more from you."
The king patted Milano on the back.
"General, our people are indebted to you. You have not only trained our younger generation to be formidable warriors, you saved us from extinction by destroying the various mana suppression circles. For that, we will forever be indebted to 6-8, and by proxy, the United States Of Arica."
Reviews
All reviews (0)