Here you go. I think the link I had wasn't set to perma but that should work. When you join talk to either Conscripts or Stuff to get validated for the chat.
The purpose of the gadget is to greatly reduce the effectiveness of explosives to the operator during engagements. Due to its portable nature it isn't as durable as a dedicated suit and can prevent one fatal explosive charge before being rendered null to the regions affected. Due to its added weight it will slow down the operators who wear this equipment by one speed rank but provide additional ballistic protection. However, due to its design, shots to the protective areas will destroy the gadget with enough damage.
Induction to Rainbow Seven
Apollo is the middle child of seven children within the Hernandez family. He was a happy and proud member of the Coast Guard that loved spending time with his younger brother Hermes until tragedy stuck in Houston where the White Masks launched a surprise attack on the city. The brothers, abandoning their usual Thursday ice cream, took the bold route of engaging the terrorist threat from the flank and chasing the threat into an academic facility. Although, together, they accumulated a score of twelve terrorists it all came to a head when Hermes ran headfirst into a nitro cell trap placed underneath one of the desks used to block the brothers' entrance.
Although Apollo had warned Hermes to wait for reinforcements before pursuing them further, the guilt of not stopping Hermes was overwhelming as more and more of the building came crashing down with explosives breaking apart more and more of the college. It was said that after brutally gunning down the responsible terrorist he knelt and held his brother while being surrounded by debris with tears flowing until the explosives stopped. Apollo was led out by an emergency team an hour later, found holding his brother with tears dried. He was silent, body coated in dust and debris, clutching the air for the body the team had taken from him.
While Seven was collecting data on the attack in Houston, he came across the story of the brothers though military records as their account was barred from publiciation for their privacy. Seeing potential in Apollo, Seven visited the military hospital on a thursday where he found the man eating lime sherbert by himself. Across from his own cup was a melting cup of orange sherbert. Quiet tears of anger and guilt pouring from the man's face as he managed to refrain from crushing his own cup despite showing an emotionally distressed exterior led Seven to his own reinforcement that this man was perfect for recruitment. After speaking with the Admiral and, very briefly, shutting down the Admiral's resistance, Apollo was released from the hospital after recovery and was flown to Nevada where training began in a private facility owned by team Rainbow.
Although he was never told what the facility was for initially, when he was given the offer to join the Rainbow program after its explaination he accepted without hesitation. When Rainbow asked him what kind of project he would like to hand off to R&D he immediately came up with the idea for PEOD and worked hands on with the team to match the specifications desired.
Apollo's parents loved mythology so much they changed their names from Juan and Marie to Odin and Frigg. They would later use their love for mythology as inpiration.
Apollo's favorite ice cream is lime sherbert. Every thursday he purchases orange sherbert with his own for his brother.
There was a long flight for some of them, maybe even a bit of a drive with a banter ridden driver spitting back and forth with an operator. One thing was for sure though, this would be the first time these operators were to meet as a team. Formally they might have met and maybe on assignments together in one way or another, but today they were meeting with the S.A.S. Operators from Rainbow Six and their captain.
He was a young man for sure, but he had been a part of the program among other operators. Twenty and four years of age, fully uniformed with gear set and ready. Strapped upon his body was his flak armor attachments. Each piece slid on and tightened with curves designed to redirect some of the explosive with a hard outside to reduce the effectiveness of fragmented death.
"Apollo Hernandez. You don't look like a bloody god to me."
"No sir."
"And you've been put to task with this lot?"
"It's what the captain and Seven wanted, sir."
"Bloody hell. I know he sees something in ya, but for fucks sakes you lot could use a real mentor."
Apollo closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in and exhaling before prying his eyes open. "I think you're aware of what I endured, sir. I want to be here. I've served in disasters. What happened in Houston..."
"I know. Don't let this go all to cock."
"Sir?"
"Nothing. Your mates are here. Go on, give a good show."
As Thatcher moved back to join Smoke, Apollo took his place upon the stage. He took a deep breath. His eyes tracked the recruited Rainbow Seven operators. The Hispanic saw lives with potential. He saw brave men willing to put themselves in danger's way to save the lives of the innocent. Willing to protect vital assets, and trained to be the best. He had no doubt in his mind that if he wasn't here leading this meeting, Hermes would. Rainbow Seven was an experiment, for sure, but without any doubt it was an experiment that would allow team Rainbow to respond to a specific division as well as emergencies as they occurred.
Apollo waited for the group to be seated to begin. A quiet inhale giving him the energy to begin.
"Good morning, gentlemen. My name is Apollo Hernandez. Operator callsign: Flak. I'm sure you know why we're all here. From every corner of the world we look for the best. We look for men and women capable of assessing situations and reacting appropriately. You all bring your own unique talents to our team. I am joined today by two operators from our sibling branch Rainbow Six. Even I was unaware of their existence until recently. I'm sure for those of you who might be fortunate, or perhaps unfortunate, enough to know them you know what they are capable of on a base level. They've served in many flawless operations and are considered some of the best within Rainbow Six. I tell you this to let you know that you are under the supervision of the best. We would accept nothing less and are humbled to be graced with their presence." He had turned briefly to the S.A.S. operators, the gentlemen simply standing in silence for the time being. However, given their experience and posture, silence spoke more than words ever needed to.
"I've said plenty already, so I think now is a fine time to introduce yourselves and I encourage it as I want you to consider Rainbow Seven as your new family. You will, of course, be allowed to go home when the all clear is given. So, please, give your callsign and whatever you'd like to tell us from left to right. You don't have to give your name as I have done."
After the basic introductions were finished the operators were given mandatory packs detailing a basic overview of the national threat that they were dealing with. The White Masks. A terrorist organization which fought for their supremacy and, under the ideas of what they openly broadcast, was not always for just cause. In fact, they were rather inconsistent and contradictory on what they sought after. One day it was a case of overturning and the next day an objective of greed. The day after may have been a case of protecting powers and another of simply killing for the sake of culling the weak. Many operated to create chaos. Many infiltrated locations to manipulate statistics. More invaded towns and cities to lay fire to buildings and gas to the defenseless. Details of their standard equipment and general skill level made them tough for any civilian, perhaps even police officer, but not for the specialists of Rainbow Seven. It was Seven's hope that the grand warriors they brought in would be capable of eliminating the White Masks and, more so, their desired targets.
Rainbow Seven was built to hunt down the White Masks, yes, but the Silver Octopus Legion were another threat altogether. On the second booklet would be the the emblem of the Silver Octo on the cover. The contents within told of what was known. They were dangerous and served as the same side of a different coin to the White Masks as Rainbow Seven served to Six. Even experienced SWAT and SAS members had been found victim to counter assault by the Silver Octopus and failed in their missions. Raids of banks carried out by Silver Octo leading to a vicious counter assault with the army being brought in internationally, coordinated raids on critical city buildings, and even vicious attacks on police stations to serve as a distraction from the destruction of subways and public transportation. While operating along side White Masks, they were so clearly a different breed in how they carried themselves and calculated odds. They were the officers of the masks and the select few with ranging quality. Above all, they knew most of Legion. Legion, as the records indicated, was the leader of this group and spoke reason into their chaos. His charisma was enough to control the many counter-operators he held in his pocket and even convinced some specialists in their field to join their ranks. The methods of which, were generally unknown. One thing was certain, being captured was traumatizing and the few who were rescued often needed extensive therapy to restore them to their old selves. Some, even, upon being brought out of their manipulated state, committed suicide.
Rainbow Seven was the answer. Rainbow Six can't handle fighting on such a wide front with piercing divisions eating at their flanks. With the extension granted Seven and his crew founded the secondary, experimental, team which would serve as respondents, sabotage to the White Masks, and, most importantly, the elimination of the Silver Octopus Legion and their faceless leader. The world depends on Rainbow to figure out what is happening and to intercept threats before the combined damage is too much for our world to handle. Each booklet made sure to reiterate that these were not OPFOR to play with. With a long list of casualties and highlighted experienced counter-terrorist units at the end of both to the respective factions, this was made very clear.
Within the packets was a buzzer each labeled with a unique number. Once they went off, individually, a message would instruct them to move back into the hanger where they would be escorted into a room down below that wouldn't be marked on any blueprints. Through a long corridor and several doors with guards stationed at each to check the operator multiple times, they were let into the last room at the end of the hall.
Within the room would be a rather comfort based room with surveillance cameras active and watching the corridors. The final one watched the door and on the other end of the door the operator came through would be an elevator. A simple sign on the table said "Take a seat." The final stage of introductions would be completed here.
So how are people doing? I could go ahead and work on getting this thread running if we have this group to work with. Although I am waiting to see if a couple of people are going to turn up.
I could also provide a collaborative discord link once we get started rather than just making a whole one with a few people.
Sitting in the darkness there he lay. Sitting in the darkness there he wait. Sitting in the darkness he thinks alone. Sitting in the darkness he is never alone. Sitting in the darkness he sees his life unfold.
It takes a drip and then two. There is a shift in the darkness. The dark becomes light.
Then there is a rumble.
Sounds of screams flood the canals. The blood of her body drenches his hands as he stands up and tries to breathe but there is no air. The blood hair turns white. The blood turns dry and seeps into his own skin. It won't come off.
Staring at his hands he can't forget what has been seen. He knows his duty and he feels it within. He feels the beast roaring within. It shakes his core and it hits every part of his body. He closes his eyes in the darkness.
Breathe... Breathe...
"Quite lonely there, aren't you?"
The man looked up, the voice catching his attention as he rolled into cover and readied his rifle for a firefight in that dark abandoned room not far from the squad. He watched the shadow move slowly with hands raised. As it entered the moonlight it revealed itself to be a woman. It was... Melanie.
"Demon, leave me! Step closer and I'll shoot! I know you're not real!" He loudly growled through his teeth. Eyes bulged with stress bleeding his forehead. However, Melanie did not move closer. She sat down, shifting a little further away and looking at the moon.
"You can't blame yourself for what happened to us, Franz. War makes a victim of all men. You'll never know us, yes. But it doesn't mean life is over. Our lives are so short. Even if you hadn't killed us, we would have all gone with time."
"But I'm the one who killed you!" Tears began to flow from the man's cheeks as he shakily lowered his guard, his vision blurred by his own torment. "I can't let that go! Here I am, a stupid idiot who fails his own beloved country by actively fighting it! My sister- I'm putting her at risk! What if I must kill her as I've killed you? I- No... No you're..."
Franz held his head, pressing it against the floorboards and shaking slowly. "No... No she's not... you're not real... You're dead. You've been dead. Go away. Leave me. You're not real. You're not real..."
As he looked up he found her gone. Not a trace of her was left. In that moment he felt immense regret. He wanted to keep talking. He wanted her to stay. But was it good for him? Was it good for any man to be bound by the creations of his own mind? He supposed not. It couldn't have been? Right? Yet... that realization sunk in. He made her go away...
"Your fault" "Murderer" "Federal dog" "Bloodthirsty" "Warmonger" "Heathen" "Hellspawn" "It was you" "It was you" "It was you!"
As the voices spoke Franz found himself moving towards the moonlight, crawling backwards with gun aiming around at the lifeless eyes staring at him from the shadows. "It was war! I was only following orders!" Yet even as he hissed out his response the voices grew louder!
"Murderer!" "Guilty!" "Your fault!" "Guilty!" "Murderer!" "Warmonger!" "Psychopath!" "Murderer!" "Killed enough maidens in your time?!" "Their blood is on your hands!" "Disgusting barbarian!" "Apathetic!" "Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!"
"I-I'm not- I ca- I- It was my- My duty is-"
Soon all Franz could do was weep and crawl up into a ball onto the ground. The constant pounding from the voices ripped at his mind. Yet, even as the hounding continued there was something strained inside that was trying its best. There was something inside that couldn't take much more. Then, without warning, snap.
The voices faded. Franz's tears dried. The howling of the wind felt ever so silent. Laying on his back Franz felt... nothing. He laid there for a while. He lost track. But when he sat up and hugged his legs he felt something on his back.
"Accepting of your fate?" Another voice.
"I do what must be done... Nothing more, nothing less."
"So you tell yourself. What was so special about those women."
"They were Imperial. I... I loved them."
"You hardly knew them Franz. You cannot love what you do not know."
"Then what would you call it, shadow?"
"Delusional."
"I can't escape you. What do you want from me?"
"I am not here to hurt you. Have you not noticed how much I have helped you? Do you resist me because I am not familiar? Or maybe I am too familiar?"
"Are you even my own thoughts?"
"Would you honestly ask yourself that question?"
"I... I don't know."
"You do know. And you know that you will continue to suffer. But why struggle? This world has done nothing for you. Time after time it has taken everything from you. Even Amber is gone."
"You don't know that."
"Do you think she would have really left you in the dark for this long? Do you really think the Amber you know would have abandonded you for so long? She is either dead... or- Maybe she doesn't care about poor poor Franz."
"Don't speak of her like that!"
"Don't speak of her like that! Wah! Such a child! You call yourself an adult?! Listen to yourself! You weep over a woman who has been gone from you for so long! You cry! You wail! You throw your tantrum about how you've killed women you know nothing about! Move on!"
Franz felt his spirit sink, looking at the ground as the scolding trapped him further in.
"Oh? Did our feelings surface? Did our nerve get struck? Franz, you know how to survive. This is not how one should. But, if you are tired of fighting..."
The rifle was picked up from the floor. Into his hands the weapon of death rode into the palms of the soldier. The shadow wrapped around his wrists and guided his fingers to close. "You can find rest now. All it takes is one shot."
Franz stared at the weapon, glaring up at the shadow with an angered growl.
"Then choke."
Once more that smoke burned into his lungs. That smoke surrounded him and once more the man in the mask appeared again. He stood and watched as the soldier wheezed. Grunts and groans as the masked man grabbed him by the throat and pressed a finger against his mouth. A gentle shush. A quiet fade out of the small light that existed.
Franz awoke quietly, sprawled out on the ground with mouth covered by the floorboards. Another nightmare...
After a brief inspection he marched his way outside of the private area he stayed in and rejoined the squad before they departed. He got a friendly good morning from Ines, to which he gave a mutually welcome "Good morning." Although, perhaps the man had been a little quiet for having been up a little longer than her. Either way, he had stepped about to make sure nobody was dead and waited outside after to simply drag behind everyone else. As usual he would take his position as back line guardian, save for the machine gunners, and he intended to remain that way.
The march had been what it had been but Franz was... not looking good. Well, he was looking worse anyway. He tried to remember what Michael told him. His skin seemed a little more pale. The bags on his eyes were more visible and there was a certain... darkness to him. There was something wrapped around him as he felt very little. There was nothing really good about what he felt and what one could see from a surface level, but there was still something that spoke boldly of Franz. Even with the torture within he marched on beat. His back did not break. Despite all they endured he stepped as an elite. Despite it all he maintained his self proper. Although, there was one moment where he seemed to twitch involuntarily for one very brief moment. Immediately after he was back in control, a cigarette in mouth smoothing his movement.
He was fairly quiet, staying in back to monitor their surroundings for any potential ambush. Even as they came to White Hart he was diligent, not trusting the peaceful scene initially as he scanned the area during their little talk. Not much breaking from formation or even talking as he felt a coil around his neck for the moment. There was the intrusive thought of "what if I put my gun in my mouth?" He shrugged it off, feeling that coil tighten, but fail to choke. It slid across to his shoulder and wrapped around the upper arm. He could feel it, but he knew it wasn't there. He said nothing as they approached the inn.
One thing did, however, burst his burdened mind for just a moment. Although, nobody seemed to be looking at the time, he cracked a smile. It was extremely brief and a burst he couldn't control. His eyebrows rose in a twitch and immediately after they fell back into a neutral form. For a moment he could feel again, but that was a bad thing. There was so much he wanted to say. There was too much to say! He could talk for hours with his hero! Green Fox! Wilhelm was here! B-but... but... The squad was here... oh if only they were dead... No... No Franz calm down. Remember what is talking to you.
Franz didn't wish death upon his allies, but they were a massive inconvenience that were getting in the way of him and his beloved sniper. How to deal with this? Well... He took his feelings and he began to badmouth himself. He belittled himself intentionally and tried to suppress emotions. He needed to stay in control, his own happiness be damned... After all, what good was he to Fox?
Even if he spoke with Green Fox what would that change? He was just some federal shit heel that managed to get along this far probably just by luck. There was nothing great about Franz. He was just a useless Darcsen that would never amount to anything. There wasn't anything that he could do to change his fate or that of so many more Darcsen around the world. How did talking to Green Fox change any of that? Use that brain under that dead ocean hair. Even if you had all the time in the world what would it change? Nothing. Remember your place. Remember that you can easily be replaced and if he so chose Wilhelm would simply scrub you off the map.
Franz allowed that coil to tighten. It grew with his own encouragement and it strengthened... As he came closer to Green Fox, he wanted to speak. But as that coil grew stronger it choked him. He couldn't open his mouth. He couldn't battle his own thoughts. Logic dictated that if the squad knew how he really felt... perhaps they would think ill of him. Maybe, even, that he was a potential traitor... Traitor...
Anxiety kicked in. Panic slammed into his heart which began to rapidly punch his rib cage. Although, his face remained neutral as he casually looked past Green Fox as though he didn't exist, there was the pressing question of his origin. He looked like an Imperial. He loved the empire. What if they knew that? How much would they take away from him? Shit! If they realized what he believed and what he loved they would put him in the corner! He would need to be held in sight and restricted! Damn! Damn! Damn! Curse you blasted dogs! Federation be damned! Puppets of their supposed democracy! They would strip his freedom from him because of his love for an empire! Jean! If you realize you will die! Franz! Franz...
The coil strained. It wasn't worth it. Even if they realized and imposed sanctions upon his own actions what did it matter? He was still a Darcsen... And nothing mattered for a Darcsen. Pointless...
Franz settled into the inn and found himself taking a drink with a short salute toward Ines for the drink. He was mostly quiet, still keeping on his hardened look as he tried to calm his thoughts. Although it was becoming more and more apparent that Isaac deserved to get shot in his fat fucking mouth. The boy ought to sleep with an eye open if he expected to wake up tomorrow. There he went with his own self importance bullshit about "we made you the food!" What a damned idiot. SOMEONE has to take up that mantle. It didn't make you any more special for doing what was necessary. In fact, to be so proud and demanding of prestige was sickening. It spoke of a man who likely belonged to be at the bottom as the deities of old could only tell what nonsense this man would bring if he was anything above! Franz would work the field if it was needed. He would work the iron if needed. He would shoot his own fucking people because it was needed but in NO- DAMN- WAY- DID- THAT- MAKE- HIM- SPECIAL!
He nearly cracked his own glass. He needed a break. If he didn't take a break he would have gunned Isaac down right there. Consequences be damned... but he needed to stay alive. He needed to keep his cool. He was barely holding onto it but life made it so that people depended on him. He needed to be around for people waiting for him back home and he needed to be around to see if Amber would ever fucking show up... In truth he still cared for her. He cared still for his squad even if he found himself rather irritable. Partially the sleep, partially the condescending down spiral, partially just the swirl of emotions from that night before. He was beginning to feel it stop. He was beginning to feel detached again.
IF there was any solace from this it was that he could think more clearly while not burdened with thoughts of emotion, but it was somehow awful and worse. Still he felt... eugh... the feel of his environmentally flavored uniform was becoming uncomfortable and as such he wanted out. After enough time he found the baths. Although, he blanked out as he scoured through his backpack to look busy. He just needed a moment to think, really. He heard Ines approaching and finished organizing his stuff before zipping it all up and standing. If he had just sat there doing that all day that would have been pretty suspicious. He could have just taken the bath instead of doing that, but the man wasn't thinking entirely clear. Plus, there would be trying to clean his entire self up and he had no idea if this place had brushes or not. It seemed decent, but just in case he would just attempt to make their lives easier.
Confronting Ines, Franz asked a simple question rather bluntly. "Would you like to take a bath together?" @Yam I Am
This is the OP that I have ready. I'd like to answer whatever questions you have here or if you think everything is fine I can just go ahead and start up the thread. This version isn't formatted though so be wary of that.
Somewhere in a S.A.S. Facility. 0600 Hours.
There was a long flight for some of them, maybe even a bit of a drive with a banter ridden driver spitting back and forth with an operator. One thing was for sure though, this would be the first time these operators were to meet as a team. Formally they might have met and maybe on assignments together in one way or another, but today they were meeting with the S.A.S. Operators from Rainbow Six and their captain.
He was a young man for sure, but he had been a part of the program among other operators. Twenty and four years of age, fully uniformed with gear set and ready. Strapped upon his body was his flak armor attachments. Each piece slid on and tightened with curves designed to redirect some of the explosive with a hard outside to reduce the effectiveness of fragmented death.
"Apollo Hernandez. You don't look like a bloody god to me."
"No sir."
"And you've been put to task with this lot?"
"It's what the captain and Seven wanted, sir."
"Bloody hell. I know he sees something in ya, but for fucks sakes you lot could use a real mentor."
Apollo closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in and exhaling before prying his eyes open. "I think you're aware of what I endured, sir. I want to be here. I've served in disasters. What happened in Houston..."
"I know. Don't let this go all to cock."
"Sir?"
"Nothing. Your mates are here. Go on, give a good show."
As Thatcher moved back to join Smoke, Apollo took his place upon the stage. He took a deep breath. His eyes tracked the recruited Rainbow Seven operators. The Hispanic saw lives with potential. He saw brave men willing to put themselves in danger's way to save the lives of the innocent. Willing to protect vital assets, and trained to be the best. He had no doubt in his mind that if he wasn't here leading this meeting, Hermes would. Rainbow Seven was an experiment, for sure, but without any doubt it was an experiment that would allow team Rainbow to respond to a specific division as well as emergencies as they occurred.
Apollo waited for the group to be seated to begin. A quiet inhale giving him the energy to begin.
"Good morning, gentlemen. My name is Apollo Hernandez. Operator callsign: Flak. I'm sure you know why we're all here. From every corner of the world we look for the best. We look for men and women capable of assessing situations and reacting appropriately. You all bring your own unique talents to our team. I am joined today by two operators from our sibling branch Rainbow Six. Even I was unaware of their existence until recently. I'm sure for those of you who might be fortunate, or perhaps unfortunate, enough to know them you know what they are capable of on a base level. They've served in many flawless operations and are considered some of the best within Rainbow Six. I tell you this to let you know that you are under the supervision of the best. We would accept nothing less and are humbled to be graced with their presence." He had turned briefly to
"I've said plenty already, so I think now is a fine time to introduce yourselves and I encourage it as I want you to consider Rainbow Seven as your new family. You will, of course, be allowed to go home when the all clear is given. So, please, give your callsign and whatever you'd like to tell us from left to right. You don't have to give your name as I have done."
The purpose of the gadget is to greatly reduce the effectiveness of explosives to the operator during engagements. Due to its portable nature it isn't as durable as a dedicated suit and can prevent one fatal explosive charge before being rendered null to the regions affected. Due to its added weight it will slow down the operators who wear this equipment by one speed rank but provide additional ballistic protection. However, due to its design, shots to the protective areas will destroy the gadget with enough damage.
Induction to Rainbow Seven
Apollo is the middle child of seven children within the Hernandez family. He was a happy and proud member of the Coast Guard that loved spending time with his younger brother Hermes until tragedy stuck in Houston where the White Masks launched a surprise attack on the city. The brothers, abandoning their usual Thursday ice cream, took the bold route of engaging the terrorist threat from the flank and chasing the threat into an academic facility. Although, together, they accumulated a score of twelve terrorists it all came to a head when Hermes ran headfirst into a nitro cell trap placed underneath one of the desks used to block the brothers' entrance.
Although Apollo had warned Hermes to wait for reinforcements before pursuing them further, the guilt of not stopping Hermes was overwhelming as more and more of the building came crashing down with explosives breaking apart more and more of the college. It was said that after brutally gunning down the responsible terrorist he knelt and held his brother while being surrounded by debris with tears flowing until the explosives stopped. Apollo was led out by an emergency team an hour later, found holding his brother with tears dried. He was silent, body coated in dust and debris, clutching the air for the body the team had taken from him.
While Seven was collecting data on the attack in Houston, he came across the story of the brothers though military records as their account was barred from publiciation for their privacy. Seeing potential in Apollo, Seven visited the military hospital on a thursday where he found the man eating lime sherbert by himself. Across from his own cup was a melting cup of orange sherbert. Quiet tears of anger and guilt pouring from the man's face as he managed to refrain from crushing his own cup despite showing an emotionally distressed exterior led Seven to his own reinforcement that this man was perfect for recruitment. After speaking with the Admiral and, very briefly, shutting down the Admiral's resistance, Apollo was released from the hospital after recovery and was flown to Nevada where training began in a private facility owned by team Rainbow.
Although he was never told what the facility was for initially, when he was given the offer to join the Rainbow program after its explaination he accepted without hesitation. When Rainbow asked him what kind of project he would like to hand off to R&D he immediately came up with the idea for PEOD and worked hands on with the team to match the specifications desired.
Apollo's parents loved mythology so much they changed their names from Juan and Marie to Odin and Frigg. They would later use their love for mythology as inpiration.
Apollo's favorite ice cream is lime sherbert. Every thursday he purchases orange sherbert with his own for his brother.
I've seen the doctor and have gotten some treatment so I'm back to work on the thread. I once again apologize for the long delay and especially for the lack of communication, but I'm able now.
Clearing the rooms had been a duty both unpleasant but also sustained through channeling his anger and orders. Room after room they flushed and traded blows with hard fighting men just doing their jobs. By the end of it, Luke and Franz remained victorious using experience and brutal speed to catch the Imperials off guard. Still... a thought kept in his mind the whole way through. Once Luke announced his departure he gave a response. "I'll check to see if we missed anything!"
"Mother... oh mother... I'm sorry... I couldn't keep my promise. They're going to kill me. I need... I can't focus. Cold... I-" A gasp slipped the mouth of the soldier as Franz stepped into his view. The bloodshot eyes of Franz stared into the weak eyes of the a man on the floor beginning to focus. However, even as the adrenaline pumped through the young man, they faded in color. There was no hope in those eyes. There was simply a sad acceptance of his fate as Franz pointed that rifle straight at his head.
The young man thought of his beautiful home. His sacred mother. The flowers upon the hill. That lovely woman who frolicked in the fields of yellow. The fresh bread which nourished his soul as a child at the Hannel Bakery. He joined to protect such things. The children threatened by the possibility of Federal victory. What would become of his home? Was it then best to die here? Would it be enough if he gave one last throw? This war sickened him and his own squad had reluctantly killed in the name of their home. He would disgrace his friends to not die here with his dignity intact. And so... with feeble breath he drew his knife and slowly attempted to stand up. Half way up from his rushed assault and he felt himself falling.
This was it. He couldn't do it. Even as Franz came close he felt his strength failing him. Even as Franz came yet closer he swung, knowing there would be no use in it. However, it would not come.
Arms wrapped around the imperial. Franz kissed the man upon his forehead, touching foreheads with him gently as he spoke. "No, brother. Not yet. Not now. You're too young, too pure. To die now would be a shame. Just relax."
With haste Franz laid the young man down, getting to work on his bleeding wound. It didn't take long for Franz to get to doctoring the wound best he could with the imperial laid back in confusion but not protesting the assistance. The more he looked at Franz, the more he realized that his facial features, his accent, the reasoning behind not killing him was because he was an Imperial as well. But if that was so then why was he fighting for the Federation? What did the Federals do to convince him to fight? Were they holding his family hostage? Was this the only way he could afford to live? And he was... a Darcsen at that.
After patching up his wounds, Franz lead the man into the room that he had fortified and lifted up a body.
"Lay here."
"What?"
"I don't know how much longer we will be here. but you need to lay under this man for now. If they see you then they might kill you or make a prisoner of war. I don't want that for you. The Imperials, do you know which way they came from?"
"I can't te-"
"I know, I just want to make sure you know how to get home." Handing the young man a full pack of Brimstones, Franz stood up and placed an ear near the doorway to ensure none of the squad followed him.
"Why are you helping me?"
"Because, I'm an Imperial like you. We're human. I can't always say the same of the Federation."
"Johannes."
"My pleasure."
"Thank you. I-I thought I was going to die here. Would... would you like to see my girlfriend?"
Franz raised an eyebrow at the proposition, but as the man laid down he crouched down and laid the other body on top of him. The other squirmed a little knowing death was on top of him, but a hand on his shoulder reassured him. As the man laid down with his necklace now pulled out, there was clearly a locket at the end of the strong chain. He opened it, showing Franz a picture. It was of Johannes and a girl of blue eyes and blonde hair. She was taller than him, but she held him all the same. The engraving on the other end reading "Johannes x Erika" It cracked a smile out of Franz, an unusually large one at that. Still, Franz pat the man's shoulder.
"Lucky man. She's beautiful. Erika?"
"Yes, she loves me a lot. She said I was like the brother she never got to meet. We talked more, spent more time with each other, and eventually we came to be. Although, I must ask. What is your name, friend?"
"Forgive me. I am Franz Blau."
The smile on the Imperial lessened for a moment as his eyes widened. Staring into each eye and examining the facial features... they were off but... "Franz?"
By then the soldier force closed the locket and pushed Johannes' head all the way down. He did his best to make Johannes look as dead as possible all while watching the door. "I need to go. They will wonder where I am if I don't report back. Stay low, move as soon as we leave. I'll shoot a bottle before we go to signify our departure. Good luck."
"Franz! Franz!" The soldier spoke with urgency as he tried not to yell. Franz, grabbed what goods he could find. digging through cabinets and even, reluctantly, looting Imperial bodies for smokes and small bits of supplies. He took the least personalized backpack off of one of them, which was luckily blank and standard issue seeming, and stuffed the items inside. It made him sick doing it, honestly, but at least he didn't steal prized personal possessions like Luke did. Still, he needed to seem convincing coming out of the building.
"What?"
"My-my girlfiend! Her name is Erika Blau!"
"And?" Franz asked, moving back with a sigh.
"She said her younger brother that she never met- his name was Franz! He was left behind in Gallia because a man by the name of Henry Hammer stole Emma Blau, your mother, from her home. They tried to save her but it took a long time to plan. They raped your mother, Franz. Your father tried to get you but by the time he killed Henry's friends the Gallian forces showed up. Franz, I found you!" Tears of joy came out of the man's eyes, but then he remembered what side Franz was on. The Darcsen's eyes were shaking, hands dropping the backpack briefly as he felt his body pulse with confusion.
The joy of Johannes seemed to turn into a tragic gaze as he realized what this all meant. "Franz... why are you fighting for the Federation?"
"I- I-" He went silent, shame coating his body as he felt a swirl of emotions. He held his mouth, tears pushing out uncontrollably before he grit his teeth and forced Johannes' eyes closed. "Stay alive. I'm sorry."
"Franz... Not like this..."
After composing himself and getting rid of what evidence there was, he walked back out to join the group. He had ensured Johannes' locket was well hidden. Erika's face was engraved into his memory. So much wanted to break free, but even in his strained state he held his emotions back perfectly. It was a dam ready to burst, but the cracks were barely visible on the outside.
"I got us some beer, cigarettes, food. I double checked every room. There are no signs of Imperial life. We're safe." He would announce to the group. And, as promised, as soon as they were for sure going to leave, Franz would place a bottle near the building to shoot on the way out.
In the meantime, however, he placed the backpack near the group and took a beer out to drink. He didn't care if Jean protested, he was drinking this beer for Johannes' sake... and especially for Erika's. It wouldn't be enough to get him drunk anyway.
Then Britta approached him. She was a pretty silver hair, but with what he had just done and had on his mind he couldn't say that he felt much of anything. At the moment he felt rather numb as he suppressed his emotions. To her question he simply looked at her with the neutral expression he wore coming out and nodded.
"I'm fine. I would worry more about the rest of the squad. They're not as accustom to a life of battle as I am. How are you holding up? Cigarette?"
He asked, pulling out a pack of Brimstones and looking out into the distance, trying to focus. He wanted to say something. He wanted to scream in agony. He needed to do something other than bottle up how he felt and shove it further and further down. But that's all he could do. He was an Imperial Darcsen tainted with Gallian blood. He was fighting against his own people. And now he knew he had family on the other side... when it came to protecting his friends who he couldn't even fucking find and the family that was on the other side of the border he chose his fucking friends. Great.
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