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While Dee heads for the Divide, Zade sets off on a mission to Camp Forlorn Hope to see about the dire situation at the front and start fixing some of the NKR's problems.", "writing": "[center][u]Chapter 44: Restoring Hope[/u][/center]\n\nLt. Colonel Zade packed up his gear, told Major Dhatri, a Flareon-man, to hold down the fort, told Lieutenant Carrie Boyd, A Flaffy-woman, to head up to Westside for finalize the deal with Jeff’s Tauros Ranch, then headed out after his short conversation at the camp entrance.\n\nOnly a couple hours into his walk, Zade ran into a small caravan of two Tauros each with two toilets strapped to their sides and being escorted by a Stunky-woman with a robo-Growlithe at her side and two other Poke-people armed with assault rifles.\n\nMelany smirked as she saw the Jolteon-man approach, “Lt. Colonel Zade, come to inspect the thrones before they’re installed?”\n\nZade smirked back, “Nope, just a coincidence. I’m actually heading to Camp Forlorn Hope to deal with some incident reports.” He took a look at the Tauros and their guards anyway. “Melany, I’d like to ask you and GR-0-WL to accompany me, for safety and in case anything there needs fixing. I can pay and these guys should be able to get to Camp Silverman from here on their own.”\n\nMelany laughed, “With how much of the pay I used to hire them, they’d better be. Alright, Zade, I’ll help.” She turned to the other two guards, “Keep it moving, and good luck.”\n\n“Tell Major Dhatri that Lt. Colonel Zade said to give you two supplies and a place to sleep.” Zade watched the two escort the Tauros back the way he had come then he, Melany and GR-0-WL headed east.\n\nThe first stop was the Grub n’ Gulp where Zade finalized the trade deal with Fitz and told him to start the deliveries as soon as he could, even giving a signed letter for Major Dhatri if he was occupied when the first delivery arrived, then they set off south-east to Camp Forlorn Hope.\n\nIt took three days for them to arrive at Camp Forlorn Hope, which was a dismal outpost of the NKR. A collection of tents set up around one larger reinforced tent that served as the command post. The only more solid structures were the latrines and the stockades, that were currently empty. Most of the NKR soldiers had dead-eyed expressions and the few that saw Zade gave hasty salutes which he returned.\n\n“I’ve never seen anyone this hopeless, other than raider prisoners,” Melany shuddered as she spotted a small graveyard on a lower cliff behind the medical tent.\n\n“Why is everyone depressed?” GR-0-WL asked.\n\n“This is what war and bad army management do,” Zade was stone faced, “too close to the front lines, supply problems, strange communication errors and top brass that just tells them and the ranger stations to stay put.” Zade growled as they approached the command tent which made the two guards either side of the flap wince and salute. Zade saluted back but slowed down, “That glory hound General Lee ‘wait and see’ Oliver wants one big battle at the Gaiva Dam to crush the Kogun so he can make a name for himself in the history books and take full credit for winning this war. He’s pissed that the Rangers and First Recon got all the credit for winning the first battle of Gaiva Dam so now he doesn’t even do proper scouting or give support where it’s needed so he can be sure he’s the one who gets all the credit.” Zade led Melany and GR-0-WL into the tent, “That’s how the Kogun got entrenched at Cottonwood Cove and took over Shalour City nearby.”\n\nThe Rhydon-man in charge, Major Joseph Polatli, turned to Zade and saluted half-heartedly, “Lt. Colonel Zade, Sir, what bring you to our little corner of hell?”\n\nZade saluted back, “To try and get this camp back in shape.” He nodded to his two guests, “Melany and GR-0-WL are friends who will assist me with this.”\n\nMajor Polatli gulped, “Sir, I can assure you the soldier here are doing what they can.”\n\nZade held up a hand, “I’m not here to discipline or ‘whip them into shape’, I’m here to take care of all the problems I read about in the reports: supplies, medicine, Shalour and communications. My schedule recently opened up so tell me what needs doing.”\n\nThe Rhydon-man Major blinked, “Are you sure, Sir? I mean some one of your rank-”\n\n“Isn’t above doing grunt work,” Zade shook his head, “I’m too young to have this level of authority so tell me what needs done and I’ll take care of it.”\n\nMajor Polatli nodded, “Very well, Sir. Supplies are short and the request I sent to Helios One never returned. I know they’re probably dead but I need to know if they got the supplies or not. As for casualties, I can assume you saw our own private graveyard but aside from that our local sawbones isn’t up to the task, not that I blame him he’s just a half-trained field medic. Shalour’s the big problem and from what I heard they crucified half-a-dozen soldiers there to keep anyone from wanting to strike back. Communication’s a whole other can of Wurmple, from what Tech Sergeant Reyes told me that’ll take you across half of Kalos.”\n\n“Let’s start with the local problems then, can’t risk going out while Shalour breathing down your necks,” Zade checked the local map that Major Polatli has spread across his desk, “what supplies were you missing?”\n\n“Mostly food, water and medicine, we’re somewhat low on ammunition but not so bad as those other three.” The Major looked down at the map again.\n\n“We’ll start with the medical situation,” Zade looked over at Melany and GR-0-WL who were standing nearby, “can you help?”\n\nMelany shrugged, “I’ve picked up a few medical skills over the years, not a professional though.”\n\nZade nodded, “I just have basic field medic training, that’ll have to do.”\n\nThe medical tent was as grim as the rest of the camp. The Doctor was an Ariados-man clearly in over his head who asked them to look at three of is patients that could still be saved, though one of them needed to have his left hand and lower left leg amputated. Melany and Zade were able to pool their skills and patience to save him. The other two weren’t nearly as severely hurt and while the two were scrounging up enough painkillers from the depleted supplies to make their treatments work, the doctor pulled Zade aside.\n\n“Thanks for doing this, Sir. I admit I shouldn’t be out here, I’m barely a field medic, but I’m the closest thing they got right now.” The Ariados-man sighed then looked at where Melany was carefully cleaning the wounds of a soldier who’d taken multiple wounds from a Kogun katana, “And then there’s the supply problems, I’m particularly running low on Hydreigon serum, I think someone’s stealing it because I always find some missing every morning, but I have no evidence and we’re too short staffed to mount a guard.”\n\nZade nodded, then looked down at GR-0-WL, who had sat by the medical tent flap entrance while he and Melany worked. “GR-0-WL, can you keep an eye out tonight for anyone sneaking into the tent.”\n\n“Yes,” the robo-Growlithe barked and walked back to an out of the way corner where it could watch the tent flap in silence.\n\nMelany and Zade spent the rest of the day working on the last two patients, who thankfully didn’t need any serious surgery, just lots of disinfecting and shrapnel removal. By sundown the two were exhausted and were offered a space to sleep in the officer’s tent as the camp was so understaffed that the only thing they weren’t short on was beds.\n\nThat night, GR-0-WL kept vigil until it saw someone enter the medical tent. It watched as a Geodude-man in fatigues entered. He looked around but thought GR-0-WL was just a piece of equipment before he made his way to the storage cabinet and took 3 doses of Hydreigon serum then crept out. GR-0-WL’s night vision let the robo-Growlithe get a good look at his face before he left.\n\nThe next morning, Melany and Zade went straight to the medical tent to talk to GR-0-WL.\n\n“Did you see who it was?” Melany crouched next to GR-0-WL and gave its head a stroke.\n\n“It was a Geodude-man, snuck in, took medicine, snuck out.” GR-0-WL wagged its tail.\n\nThe Ariados-man doctor nodded, “Only Geodude-man here is Private Stone. Not sure the word of a robot will be taken seriously.”\n\nZade folded his arms, “Do you know the symptoms of Hydreigon serum addiction?”\n\nThe doctor nodded, “Dilated eyes, an increased heart rate and blood pressure, massive sweating, you know... the usual. Not sure I could force him to come in for an exam.”\n\n“Leave that to me,” Zade turned and exited the medical tent.\n\nPrivate Stone was easy to find, standing guard outside one of the main barracks tents. The Geodude-man came swiftly to attention when Zade approached, “Sir, is there anything you need Sir?” he was already sweating, an impressive feat for a rock/ground type.\n\nZade noticed, “Yes, Private, I need you to report to the doctor for a check-up immediately.”\n\nPrivate Stone gulped, “I’m feeling fine, Sir.”\n\nZade’s fur sparked, “That was an order, Private. Report to the doctor, now.” Zade’s aura made the private jump and he hurried to the tent. He thought about running but Zade followed closely behind and the Lt. Colonel’s aura scared him into going in for the check-up.\n\nBy mid-afternoon, Private Stone was locked up in the stockade with the Doctor and Zade looking at the sad Poke-person inside.\n\n“He tested positive for Hydreigon serum addiction,” the Ariados-man doctor sighed, “Once things calm down I’ll get him sent to the Followers for psychiatric treatment, I think everyone here could use that.”\n\nZade nodded, “Yes, everyone does, and I hate to send anyone back out there in this state, but if the Kogun wins it’ll be worse for everyone. I’ll trust you to look after him but he’s a liability we can’t afford right now.” Zade turned and headed back for the command tent.\n\nInside the tent he found Melany working on the communications gear with GR-0-WL at her side. She looked up at the Jolteon-man as he entered, “Tech Sergeant Reyes said she needed it patched up, so I’m on that. Should be done by tomorrow.” The Electabuzz-woman she was referring to was working alongside her and gave a small salute to Zade before returning to her work.\n\nZade returned to Major Polatli at his table, “Medical problems are sorted, Major, but supplies will be an issue until Shalour is taken back.”\n\n“And until we have supplies, Shalour is too risky to take on, Sir,” the Rhydon-man sighed, “But with those captives there it’ll be nearly impossible to motivate the soldiers to do anything about it, supplies or no.”\n\nZade nodded, “Agreed. I’m going to scout out what’s left of the city, take the lay of the land and report back later.” He turned to Melany and GR-0-WL, “mind if GR-0-WL comes with me on this, Melany?”\n\nThe Stunky-woman didn’t look up as she answered, “Ask it yourself, it can make its own choices.”\n\nGR-0-WL gave a short bark, “I’ll be happy to, Zade. Please lead.”\n\nZade smiled and gave the robo-Growlithe a pet, “Let’s go then.”\n\nAs they turned to leave, Major Polatli called to them, “Sir, shouldn’t you take more than a sidearm.”\n\nZade smirked as he held the tent flap open, “I’m a scout, I do my best lightly armed. And my aura’s my main weapon,” sparks jumped off his fur as he exited.\n\nA couple hours later, Zade lay prone at the top of a hill that overlooked Shalour City and peered through the binoculars he carried. The city’s Tower of Mastery and its artificial island had been destroyed during the war which left the city without its main landmark. The broken-down buildings were occupied by Kogun Ashigaru led by a single Hitmontop-man samurai. The street lamps were still set up but unpowered and scattered throughout the city. Zade narrowed his eyes as he saw the six NKR troopers crucified in full view of anyone nearby, especially the camp at a choke point that led south and west out of the city. There were crudely built watch towers at every entrance to the each manned by a pair of Ashigaru. Zade slid back until he was out of view to where GR-0-WL had been watching his back and motioned for them to circle around to the ambush point.\n\nThe ambush point was stationed by a dozen NKR soldiers and an Infernape-man Ranger. He spotted the approaching Jolteon-man and hurried to intercept him. “Excuse me, Lt. Colonel Zade? What brought you out here to this slice of hell?”\n\nZade shook the ranger’s hand, “Forlorn Hope and Shalour, Milo. I took a look from the hilltop and got a scope on the Kogun camp.”\n\n“So, you’ve seen the prisoners,” Milo shook his head, “Rough situation, the soldiers won’t move in while their comrades-in-arms are strung up and I can’t force them, they only listen out of respect.” Rangers weren’t part of the regular army, and thus had no authority over regular troops.\n\n“I could order them, but their morale might break if the Kogun starts torturing them in full view,” Zade folded his arms, “What’s your plan to save them, Milo?”\n\n“Save them? Zade, I can’t risk more hostages on a fool’s errand.” Milo’s expression became grim, “My plan is to give them a mercy killing,” he indicated two soldiers wearing red berets that marked them as part of 1st Recon, the NKR’s elite sharpshooters.\n\nZade’s eyes widened, “Kill them!” He took a deep breath then lowered his voice, “They’re trusting us to get them out of here, not execute them.”\n\nMilo rolled his eyes, “You’re still young and idealistic, which works for a regular soldier but you need to be an officer and keep a level head.”\n\nZade took another deep breath, “I know that, I shouldn’t even be out here but I need to do what I can to show that we’re not a drain…” he saw the look in Milo’s eyes, “Politics later. I need to think about this.” Zade’s mind raced as he thought of the situation.\n\nMilo looked back at the troops who were now watching, “I get it, Kimball and Oliver’s bullshit are driving NKR into the ground, especially out here. There’d be twice the soldiers out here if not for their purges.”\n\n“I’m only here to fail, but I won’t,” Zade’s fur sparked as he clenched a fist. He looked down at GR-0-WL as an idea formed, “We’re taking back Shalour tonight. Get 1st Recon up on the hill overlooking Shalour and two supports up there. Distribute flashlights to the soldiers and standby up here until the captured men escape past your lines then march in and take out every Kogun Ashigaru you see. I’m going back to Forlorn Hope to ready them.” Zade raised his voice, “Soldiers, this is Lt. Colonel Zade. You are to follow Ranger Milo’s order as if they were my own. Understood!”\n\nThere was a half-hearted reply, “Sir, yes Sir.”\n\n“You sure about this, Zade?” Milo sounded skeptical, “I don’t want to find your corpse in there after a foolhardy plan goes awry.”\n\nZade nodded, “I am, Milo. I’m young but I’m no fool. See you after sundown.” He and GR-0-WL turned and jogged back to the camp.\n\nAs the sun was setting, the two 1st Recon snipers lay prone while their support stood behind them, lest they get snuck up on. One raised a hand and pointed to someone who approached then drew his sidearm, “Halt, who goes there!” he kept his voice low to avoid echoes.\n\nMelany raised a hand, “Name’s Melany. Lt. Colonel Zade sent me to assist the sniping.”\n\nOne of the snipers, a Raticate-man, looked back over his shoulder, “You sure? This isn’t an operation for civvies.”\n\nMelany unslung her plasma rifle from her back, but didn’t turn it on, “Not many civvies have this kinda firepower.” She walked up to the two snipers and crouched so her head was just peeking over the ledge, “Just gotta wait for Zade’s signal.”\n\nThe other sniper, a Diggersby-woman, gave the Stunky-woman a nervous look, “How are we gonna avoid hitting the Lt. Colonel?”\n\nMelany chuckled and pointed to a two-way radio on her belt, “Trust him, he’ll call when it’s time to start shooting.”\n\nIt had taken Zade the rest of the day, and a few barked orders, to get the rest of the camp ready for the assault. He left them deployed around the northern exit from Shalour and told them to wait for his signal before he and GR-0-WL snuck into the city under the cover of darkness. With only torches from the towers to illuminate the entrances, Zade and GR-0-WL slipped past the guards as Shalour only had a chain-link fence with a few blind spots. Because it had night vision in its camera eyes, GR-0-WL led Zade to the Kogun HQ where the six soldiers were crucified.\n\nZade nodded up at the soldiers up on the wooden crosses and unsheathed a combat knife, “GR-0-WL, keep watch while I cut them down.”\n\nGR-0-WL just nodded, as its voice was too loud to risk talking.\n\nZade had to climb up to get at the ropes holding the first soldier’s arms in place and tapped him on the head, “Soldier, wake up.”\n\nThe soldier stirred awake, “Huh, what?”\n\n“Keep quiet, I’m here to rescue you,” Zade sliced through the ropes on his hands and caught him before he hit the ground, “Can you walk.”\n\n“I think so,” the soldier replied weakly.\n\n“Good, stay put until I give the order then run that way,” Zade pointed to the southern entrance and made sure the soldier could see him before he went to the next cross. This repeated five times until all six soldiers were on the ground.\n\nZade passed a water canteen to the first, “Take a mouthful and pass it on. I know you’re all tired but if you want to get home to your families then follow my orders and stay quiet.” He could tell they were all on the verge of a breakdown so he repeated his instructions, “When I give the signal, run that way up to the NKR squad there. Once you’re beyond the line, wait until the rest come back to help you back to Camp Forlorn Hope.” Zade felt a nudge on his leg and looked down to see GR-0-WL looking up at him, then jerk its head towards the main building, where Zade could just make out someone approaching.\n\n“Shit!” Zade pulled out the two-way radio, “Take out the south towers now!”\n\nHis harsh whisper got through to Melany, who reiterated, “Take out the south towers now!”\n\nThe two snipers found their marks, each tower had two Ashigaru guards and two silenced shots later, one was now empty of life. Before the second tower could react two more shots cleared its guards.\n\n“Go! Go! Go!” Zade whispered harshly and jabbed his hand at the now unguarded entrance. The half-dead soldiers needed no second bidding and took off, keeping low and keeping as quiet as possible.\n\nZade’s ears twitched and he jumped forwards then spun around as a katana sliced where he had been a moment ago.\n\n“I’m surprised a mottainer could react that fast,” the harsh voice of the Hitmontop-man Samurai hit Zade’s ears. “You so rely on your technology and guns. I’ll have you replace the prisoners you set free. You have the honor of being the prisoner of Dead Sea.” He swung at Zade who dodged away then his fur sparked and he shot a Thunderbolt at Dead Sea.\n\n“I don’t need weapons,” Zade bared his fangs and charged. Dead Sea struck out at Zade, slicing into his side. Zade ignored the pain as electricity surged through his mouth and he bit down on Dead Sea’s neck with Thunder Fang. Dead Sea gasped as electricity surged through his body and tried to stab Zade in the side, but GR-0-WL lunged and bit the Hitmontop’s hand and forced him to drop his weapon.\n\nZade pulled back and spat out the flesh from his mouth as blood dripped from his teeth and he watched Dead Sea gasp and choke to death on the ground. “I beat you without any technology, not even a weapon, just my own aura skill. Why didn’t you triple-kick me?” The sound of the battle had woken up the rest of Shalour and he heard dozens of Ashigaru running towards him. “GR-0-WL, get back or I might fry accidentally fry you,” Zade crossed his arms in front of him.\n\nGR-0-WL barked, “I’ll stay safe,” then charged off barking up a storm which drew some of the Ashigaru away.\n\nZade’s body crackled with electricity as he used Charge, drawing the Kogun’s soldiers towards him. In the light of his electricity he saw them surround him, a couple balked when they saw Dead Sea’s corpse but the rest charged. Zade focused and as he felt one of their crude swords strike him he let out a roar and unleashed Discharge, which electrocuted all of the Ashigaru surrounding him and paralyzed a handful. The burst of electricity danced through the wires in the city and jump started the street lamps, causing Shalour to light up like a birthday cake.\n\n“That’s it!” Melany powered on her plasma rifle, “Start shooting!” Bright green bolts of plasma lanced from her weapon as the two snipers picked their targets.\n\nZade saw a Machop-man’s head liquified by a direct plasma bolt as the Ashigaru started to panic and fall to head shots. Some stayed focused and struck Zade in the back, slicing through his armor. He bared his teeth and fried him with a Thunderbolt then turned to face one that was about to slice at his face, ducked under and bit his arm with Thunder Fang. GR-0-WL had led his pursuers around and back to Zade just in time to tackle a Patrat-man to the ground and tear into him before he could stab a crude spear through Zade’s back. Zade turned and threw an Electroweb from his hand at GR-0-WL’s pursuer’s catching three and tangling them as they fried.\n\nThe sound of automatic gunfire announced the arrival of the pincer attack from both sides of the city. Within an hour the place was cleared of Kogun presence, those who didn’t fall in battle committed seppuku rather than be taken captive.\n\nZade was found by Ranger Milo, Major Polatli and the Ariados Doctor as he leaned up against one of the crosses the captives had been tied to. Zade forced himself to stand as the doctor tended to him, cleaning injuries and administering a stimpack or two to the numerous cut’s he’d survived. “Report.”\n\n“The captives made it back to my line safe, not really sound though. I left the medic back to take care of them,” Ranger Milo smiled, “I admit, I didn’t think they’d make it.”\n\n“We’ll have to give the place another sweep to be safe, search for Poke Balls or mines, but Shalour is ours again,” Major Polatli saluted, “Thank you, Sir. The soldiers are looking more optimistic,” a victory shout form nearby confirmed his words, “and sounding it too.”\n\nZade nodded and winced as some disinfectant was applied to a wound before another stimpack was administered, “I’ll see about your supply problem and communications issues tomorrow. For now, I’m heading back to camp.”\n\n“I’ll come with you, there’s a few casualties to take care of, but nothing as severe as what you and Melany dealt with yesterday,” the Ariados-man doctor said.\n\nZade joined Melany and a battered GR-0-WL with the injured and late up soldiers on the march back to Camp Forlorn Hope. Melany looked at her robotic companion with concern, “You look pretty cut up,” she yawned, “Will you be alright till morning, GR-0-WL?”\n\n“Not as bad as Trovitopolis,” GR-0-WL assure her then rubbed its face on her leg.\n\n“Good,” Melany tried to pet GR-0-WL but winced when she cut herself on a chink in his armor and pulled back, “Yow! First thing tomorrow, I’m getting you fixed up.”", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "
Chapter 44: Restoring Hope


Lt. Colonel Zade packed up his gear, told Major Dhatri, a Flareon-man, to hold down the fort, told Lieutenant Carrie Boyd, A Flaffy-woman, to head up to Westside for finalize the deal with Jeff’s Tauros Ranch, then headed out after his short conversation at the camp entrance.

Only a couple hours into his walk, Zade ran into a small caravan of two Tauros each with two toilets strapped to their sides and being escorted by a Stunky-woman with a robo-Growlithe at her side and two other Poke-people armed with assault rifles.

Melany smirked as she saw the Jolteon-man approach, “Lt. Colonel Zade, come to inspect the thrones before they’re installed?”

Zade smirked back, “Nope, just a coincidence. I’m actually heading to Camp Forlorn Hope to deal with some incident reports.” He took a look at the Tauros and their guards anyway. “Melany, I’d like to ask you and GR-0-WL to accompany me, for safety and in case anything there needs fixing. I can pay and these guys should be able to get to Camp Silverman from here on their own.”

Melany laughed, “With how much of the pay I used to hire them, they’d better be. Alright, Zade, I’ll help.” She turned to the other two guards, “Keep it moving, and good luck.”

“Tell Major Dhatri that Lt. Colonel Zade said to give you two supplies and a place to sleep.” Zade watched the two escort the Tauros back the way he had come then he, Melany and GR-0-WL headed east.

The first stop was the Grub n’ Gulp where Zade finalized the trade deal with Fitz and told him to start the deliveries as soon as he could, even giving a signed letter for Major Dhatri if he was occupied when the first delivery arrived, then they set off south-east to Camp Forlorn Hope.

It took three days for them to arrive at Camp Forlorn Hope, which was a dismal outpost of the NKR. A collection of tents set up around one larger reinforced tent that served as the command post. The only more solid structures were the latrines and the stockades, that were currently empty. Most of the NKR soldiers had dead-eyed expressions and the few that saw Zade gave hasty salutes which he returned.

“I’ve never seen anyone this hopeless, other than raider prisoners,” Melany shuddered as she spotted a small graveyard on a lower cliff behind the medical tent.

“Why is everyone depressed?” GR-0-WL asked.

“This is what war and bad army management do,” Zade was stone faced, “too close to the front lines, supply problems, strange communication errors and top brass that just tells them and the ranger stations to stay put.” Zade growled as they approached the command tent which made the two guards either side of the flap wince and salute. Zade saluted back but slowed down, “That glory hound General Lee ‘wait and see’ Oliver wants one big battle at the Gaiva Dam to crush the Kogun so he can make a name for himself in the history books and take full credit for winning this war. He’s pissed that the Rangers and First Recon got all the credit for winning the first battle of Gaiva Dam so now he doesn’t even do proper scouting or give support where it’s needed so he can be sure he’s the one who gets all the credit.” Zade led Melany and GR-0-WL into the tent, “That’s how the Kogun got entrenched at Cottonwood Cove and took over Shalour City nearby.”

The Rhydon-man in charge, Major Joseph Polatli, turned to Zade and saluted half-heartedly, “Lt. Colonel Zade, Sir, what bring you to our little corner of hell?”

Zade saluted back, “To try and get this camp back in shape.” He nodded to his two guests, “Melany and GR-0-WL are friends who will assist me with this.”

Major Polatli gulped, “Sir, I can assure you the soldier here are doing what they can.”

Zade held up a hand, “I’m not here to discipline or ‘whip them into shape’, I’m here to take care of all the problems I read about in the reports: supplies, medicine, Shalour and communications. My schedule recently opened up so tell me what needs doing.”

The Rhydon-man Major blinked, “Are you sure, Sir? I mean some one of your rank-”

“Isn’t above doing grunt work,” Zade shook his head, “I’m too young to have this level of authority so tell me what needs done and I’ll take care of it.”

Major Polatli nodded, “Very well, Sir. Supplies are short and the request I sent to Helios One never returned. I know they’re probably dead but I need to know if they got the supplies or not. As for casualties, I can assume you saw our own private graveyard but aside from that our local sawbones isn’t up to the task, not that I blame him he’s just a half-trained field medic. Shalour’s the big problem and from what I heard they crucified half-a-dozen soldiers there to keep anyone from wanting to strike back. Communication’s a whole other can of Wurmple, from what Tech Sergeant Reyes told me that’ll take you across half of Kalos.”

“Let’s start with the local problems then, can’t risk going out while Shalour breathing down your necks,” Zade checked the local map that Major Polatli has spread across his desk, “what supplies were you missing?”

“Mostly food, water and medicine, we’re somewhat low on ammunition but not so bad as those other three.” The Major looked down at the map again.

“We’ll start with the medical situation,” Zade looked over at Melany and GR-0-WL who were standing nearby, “can you help?”

Melany shrugged, “I’ve picked up a few medical skills over the years, not a professional though.”

Zade nodded, “I just have basic field medic training, that’ll have to do.”

The medical tent was as grim as the rest of the camp. The Doctor was an Ariados-man clearly in over his head who asked them to look at three of is patients that could still be saved, though one of them needed to have his left hand and lower left leg amputated. Melany and Zade were able to pool their skills and patience to save him. The other two weren’t nearly as severely hurt and while the two were scrounging up enough painkillers from the depleted supplies to make their treatments work, the doctor pulled Zade aside.

“Thanks for doing this, Sir. I admit I shouldn’t be out here, I’m barely a field medic, but I’m the closest thing they got right now.” The Ariados-man sighed then looked at where Melany was carefully cleaning the wounds of a soldier who’d taken multiple wounds from a Kogun katana, “And then there’s the supply problems, I’m particularly running low on Hydreigon serum, I think someone’s stealing it because I always find some missing every morning, but I have no evidence and we’re too short staffed to mount a guard.”

Zade nodded, then looked down at GR-0-WL, who had sat by the medical tent flap entrance while he and Melany worked. “GR-0-WL, can you keep an eye out tonight for anyone sneaking into the tent.”

“Yes,” the robo-Growlithe barked and walked back to an out of the way corner where it could watch the tent flap in silence.

Melany and Zade spent the rest of the day working on the last two patients, who thankfully didn’t need any serious surgery, just lots of disinfecting and shrapnel removal. By sundown the two were exhausted and were offered a space to sleep in the officer’s tent as the camp was so understaffed that the only thing they weren’t short on was beds.

That night, GR-0-WL kept vigil until it saw someone enter the medical tent. It watched as a Geodude-man in fatigues entered. He looked around but thought GR-0-WL was just a piece of equipment before he made his way to the storage cabinet and took 3 doses of Hydreigon serum then crept out. GR-0-WL’s night vision let the robo-Growlithe get a good look at his face before he left.

The next morning, Melany and Zade went straight to the medical tent to talk to GR-0-WL.

“Did you see who it was?” Melany crouched next to GR-0-WL and gave its head a stroke.

“It was a Geodude-man, snuck in, took medicine, snuck out.” GR-0-WL wagged its tail.

The Ariados-man doctor nodded, “Only Geodude-man here is Private Stone. Not sure the word of a robot will be taken seriously.”

Zade folded his arms, “Do you know the symptoms of Hydreigon serum addiction?”

The doctor nodded, “Dilated eyes, an increased heart rate and blood pressure, massive sweating, you know... the usual. Not sure I could force him to come in for an exam.”

“Leave that to me,” Zade turned and exited the medical tent.

Private Stone was easy to find, standing guard outside one of the main barracks tents. The Geodude-man came swiftly to attention when Zade approached, “Sir, is there anything you need Sir?” he was already sweating, an impressive feat for a rock/ground type.

Zade noticed, “Yes, Private, I need you to report to the doctor for a check-up immediately.”

Private Stone gulped, “I’m feeling fine, Sir.”

Zade’s fur sparked, “That was an order, Private. Report to the doctor, now.” Zade’s aura made the private jump and he hurried to the tent. He thought about running but Zade followed closely behind and the Lt. Colonel’s aura scared him into going in for the check-up.

By mid-afternoon, Private Stone was locked up in the stockade with the Doctor and Zade looking at the sad Poke-person inside.

“He tested positive for Hydreigon serum addiction,” the Ariados-man doctor sighed, “Once things calm down I’ll get him sent to the Followers for psychiatric treatment, I think everyone here could use that.”

Zade nodded, “Yes, everyone does, and I hate to send anyone back out there in this state, but if the Kogun wins it’ll be worse for everyone. I’ll trust you to look after him but he’s a liability we can’t afford right now.” Zade turned and headed back for the command tent.

Inside the tent he found Melany working on the communications gear with GR-0-WL at her side. She looked up at the Jolteon-man as he entered, “Tech Sergeant Reyes said she needed it patched up, so I’m on that. Should be done by tomorrow.” The Electabuzz-woman she was referring to was working alongside her and gave a small salute to Zade before returning to her work.

Zade returned to Major Polatli at his table, “Medical problems are sorted, Major, but supplies will be an issue until Shalour is taken back.”

“And until we have supplies, Shalour is too risky to take on, Sir,” the Rhydon-man sighed, “But with those captives there it’ll be nearly impossible to motivate the soldiers to do anything about it, supplies or no.”

Zade nodded, “Agreed. I’m going to scout out what’s left of the city, take the lay of the land and report back later.” He turned to Melany and GR-0-WL, “mind if GR-0-WL comes with me on this, Melany?”

The Stunky-woman didn’t look up as she answered, “Ask it yourself, it can make its own choices.”

GR-0-WL gave a short bark, “I’ll be happy to, Zade. Please lead.”

Zade smiled and gave the robo-Growlithe a pet, “Let’s go then.”

As they turned to leave, Major Polatli called to them, “Sir, shouldn’t you take more than a sidearm.”

Zade smirked as he held the tent flap open, “I’m a scout, I do my best lightly armed. And my aura’s my main weapon,” sparks jumped off his fur as he exited.

A couple hours later, Zade lay prone at the top of a hill that overlooked Shalour City and peered through the binoculars he carried. The city’s Tower of Mastery and its artificial island had been destroyed during the war which left the city without its main landmark. The broken-down buildings were occupied by Kogun Ashigaru led by a single Hitmontop-man samurai. The street lamps were still set up but unpowered and scattered throughout the city. Zade narrowed his eyes as he saw the six NKR troopers crucified in full view of anyone nearby, especially the camp at a choke point that led south and west out of the city. There were crudely built watch towers at every entrance to the each manned by a pair of Ashigaru. Zade slid back until he was out of view to where GR-0-WL had been watching his back and motioned for them to circle around to the ambush point.

The ambush point was stationed by a dozen NKR soldiers and an Infernape-man Ranger. He spotted the approaching Jolteon-man and hurried to intercept him. “Excuse me, Lt. Colonel Zade? What brought you out here to this slice of hell?”

Zade shook the ranger’s hand, “Forlorn Hope and Shalour, Milo. I took a look from the hilltop and got a scope on the Kogun camp.”

“So, you’ve seen the prisoners,” Milo shook his head, “Rough situation, the soldiers won’t move in while their comrades-in-arms are strung up and I can’t force them, they only listen out of respect.” Rangers weren’t part of the regular army, and thus had no authority over regular troops.

“I could order them, but their morale might break if the Kogun starts torturing them in full view,” Zade folded his arms, “What’s your plan to save them, Milo?”

“Save them? Zade, I can’t risk more hostages on a fool’s errand.” Milo’s expression became grim, “My plan is to give them a mercy killing,” he indicated two soldiers wearing red berets that marked them as part of 1st Recon, the NKR’s elite sharpshooters.

Zade’s eyes widened, “Kill them!” He took a deep breath then lowered his voice, “They’re trusting us to get them out of here, not execute them.”

Milo rolled his eyes, “You’re still young and idealistic, which works for a regular soldier but you need to be an officer and keep a level head.”

Zade took another deep breath, “I know that, I shouldn’t even be out here but I need to do what I can to show that we’re not a drain…” he saw the look in Milo’s eyes, “Politics later. I need to think about this.” Zade’s mind raced as he thought of the situation.

Milo looked back at the troops who were now watching, “I get it, Kimball and Oliver’s bullshit are driving NKR into the ground, especially out here. There’d be twice the soldiers out here if not for their purges.”

“I’m only here to fail, but I won’t,” Zade’s fur sparked as he clenched a fist. He looked down at GR-0-WL as an idea formed, “We’re taking back Shalour tonight. Get 1st Recon up on the hill overlooking Shalour and two supports up there. Distribute flashlights to the soldiers and standby up here until the captured men escape past your lines then march in and take out every Kogun Ashigaru you see. I’m going back to Forlorn Hope to ready them.” Zade raised his voice, “Soldiers, this is Lt. Colonel Zade. You are to follow Ranger Milo’s order as if they were my own. Understood!”

There was a half-hearted reply, “Sir, yes Sir.”

“You sure about this, Zade?” Milo sounded skeptical, “I don’t want to find your corpse in there after a foolhardy plan goes awry.”

Zade nodded, “I am, Milo. I’m young but I’m no fool. See you after sundown.” He and GR-0-WL turned and jogged back to the camp.

As the sun was setting, the two 1st Recon snipers lay prone while their support stood behind them, lest they get snuck up on. One raised a hand and pointed to someone who approached then drew his sidearm, “Halt, who goes there!” he kept his voice low to avoid echoes.

Melany raised a hand, “Name’s Melany. Lt. Colonel Zade sent me to assist the sniping.”

One of the snipers, a Raticate-man, looked back over his shoulder, “You sure? This isn’t an operation for civvies.”

Melany unslung her plasma rifle from her back, but didn’t turn it on, “Not many civvies have this kinda firepower.” She walked up to the two snipers and crouched so her head was just peeking over the ledge, “Just gotta wait for Zade’s signal.”

The other sniper, a Diggersby-woman, gave the Stunky-woman a nervous look, “How are we gonna avoid hitting the Lt. Colonel?”

Melany chuckled and pointed to a two-way radio on her belt, “Trust him, he’ll call when it’s time to start shooting.”

It had taken Zade the rest of the day, and a few barked orders, to get the rest of the camp ready for the assault. He left them deployed around the northern exit from Shalour and told them to wait for his signal before he and GR-0-WL snuck into the city under the cover of darkness. With only torches from the towers to illuminate the entrances, Zade and GR-0-WL slipped past the guards as Shalour only had a chain-link fence with a few blind spots. Because it had night vision in its camera eyes, GR-0-WL led Zade to the Kogun HQ where the six soldiers were crucified.

Zade nodded up at the soldiers up on the wooden crosses and unsheathed a combat knife, “GR-0-WL, keep watch while I cut them down.”

GR-0-WL just nodded, as its voice was too loud to risk talking.

Zade had to climb up to get at the ropes holding the first soldier’s arms in place and tapped him on the head, “Soldier, wake up.”

The soldier stirred awake, “Huh, what?”

“Keep quiet, I’m here to rescue you,” Zade sliced through the ropes on his hands and caught him before he hit the ground, “Can you walk.”

“I think so,” the soldier replied weakly.

“Good, stay put until I give the order then run that way,” Zade pointed to the southern entrance and made sure the soldier could see him before he went to the next cross. This repeated five times until all six soldiers were on the ground.

Zade passed a water canteen to the first, “Take a mouthful and pass it on. I know you’re all tired but if you want to get home to your families then follow my orders and stay quiet.” He could tell they were all on the verge of a breakdown so he repeated his instructions, “When I give the signal, run that way up to the NKR squad there. Once you’re beyond the line, wait until the rest come back to help you back to Camp Forlorn Hope.” Zade felt a nudge on his leg and looked down to see GR-0-WL looking up at him, then jerk its head towards the main building, where Zade could just make out someone approaching.

“Shit!” Zade pulled out the two-way radio, “Take out the south towers now!”

His harsh whisper got through to Melany, who reiterated, “Take out the south towers now!”

The two snipers found their marks, each tower had two Ashigaru guards and two silenced shots later, one was now empty of life. Before the second tower could react two more shots cleared its guards.

“Go! Go! Go!” Zade whispered harshly and jabbed his hand at the now unguarded entrance. The half-dead soldiers needed no second bidding and took off, keeping low and keeping as quiet as possible.

Zade’s ears twitched and he jumped forwards then spun around as a katana sliced where he had been a moment ago.

“I’m surprised a mottainer could react that fast,” the harsh voice of the Hitmontop-man Samurai hit Zade’s ears. “You so rely on your technology and guns. I’ll have you replace the prisoners you set free. You have the honor of being the prisoner of Dead Sea.” He swung at Zade who dodged away then his fur sparked and he shot a Thunderbolt at Dead Sea.

“I don’t need weapons,” Zade bared his fangs and charged. Dead Sea struck out at Zade, slicing into his side. Zade ignored the pain as electricity surged through his mouth and he bit down on Dead Sea’s neck with Thunder Fang. Dead Sea gasped as electricity surged through his body and tried to stab Zade in the side, but GR-0-WL lunged and bit the Hitmontop’s hand and forced him to drop his weapon.

Zade pulled back and spat out the flesh from his mouth as blood dripped from his teeth and he watched Dead Sea gasp and choke to death on the ground. “I beat you without any technology, not even a weapon, just my own aura skill. Why didn’t you triple-kick me?” The sound of the battle had woken up the rest of Shalour and he heard dozens of Ashigaru running towards him. “GR-0-WL, get back or I might fry accidentally fry you,” Zade crossed his arms in front of him.

GR-0-WL barked, “I’ll stay safe,” then charged off barking up a storm which drew some of the Ashigaru away.

Zade’s body crackled with electricity as he used Charge, drawing the Kogun’s soldiers towards him. In the light of his electricity he saw them surround him, a couple balked when they saw Dead Sea’s corpse but the rest charged. Zade focused and as he felt one of their crude swords strike him he let out a roar and unleashed Discharge, which electrocuted all of the Ashigaru surrounding him and paralyzed a handful. The burst of electricity danced through the wires in the city and jump started the street lamps, causing Shalour to light up like a birthday cake.

“That’s it!” Melany powered on her plasma rifle, “Start shooting!” Bright green bolts of plasma lanced from her weapon as the two snipers picked their targets.

Zade saw a Machop-man’s head liquified by a direct plasma bolt as the Ashigaru started to panic and fall to head shots. Some stayed focused and struck Zade in the back, slicing through his armor. He bared his teeth and fried him with a Thunderbolt then turned to face one that was about to slice at his face, ducked under and bit his arm with Thunder Fang. GR-0-WL had led his pursuers around and back to Zade just in time to tackle a Patrat-man to the ground and tear into him before he could stab a crude spear through Zade’s back. Zade turned and threw an Electroweb from his hand at GR-0-WL’s pursuer’s catching three and tangling them as they fried.

The sound of automatic gunfire announced the arrival of the pincer attack from both sides of the city. Within an hour the place was cleared of Kogun presence, those who didn’t fall in battle committed seppuku rather than be taken captive.

Zade was found by Ranger Milo, Major Polatli and the Ariados Doctor as he leaned up against one of the crosses the captives had been tied to. Zade forced himself to stand as the doctor tended to him, cleaning injuries and administering a stimpack or two to the numerous cut’s he’d survived. “Report.”

“The captives made it back to my line safe, not really sound though. I left the medic back to take care of them,” Ranger Milo smiled, “I admit, I didn’t think they’d make it.”

“We’ll have to give the place another sweep to be safe, search for Poke Balls or mines, but Shalour is ours again,” Major Polatli saluted, “Thank you, Sir. The soldiers are looking more optimistic,” a victory shout form nearby confirmed his words, “and sounding it too.”

Zade nodded and winced as some disinfectant was applied to a wound before another stimpack was administered, “I’ll see about your supply problem and communications issues tomorrow. For now, I’m heading back to camp.”

“I’ll come with you, there’s a few casualties to take care of, but nothing as severe as what you and Melany dealt with yesterday,” the Ariados-man doctor said.

Zade joined Melany and a battered GR-0-WL with the injured and late up soldiers on the march back to Camp Forlorn Hope. Melany looked at her robotic companion with concern, “You look pretty cut up,” she yawned, “Will you be alright till morning, GR-0-WL?”

“Not as bad as Trovitopolis,” GR-0-WL assure her then rubbed its face on her leg.

“Good,” Melany tried to pet GR-0-WL but winced when she cut herself on a chink in his armor and pulled back, “Yow! First thing tomorrow, I’m getting you fixed up.”", "pools_count": 1, "title": "Fallout New Lumiose chapter 44", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "image/png", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "2", "rating_name": "Adult", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "5", "name": "Strong Violence", "description": "Strong violence, blood, serious injury or death", "rating_id": "2" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "t", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "0", "views": "3" }