Colonel Parker desperately wanted to intervene, to plead for some form of leniency towards the hostages. But the Colonel knew better than to underestimate these newcomers. The raw power they wielded demanded respect, even if it came laced with fear.
Chewing on his lip, Parker formulated a plan. He had to approach this delicately, navigate the murky waters between Astral's ruthlessness and the potential for a massacre within the city hall.
Colonel Parker cleared his throat. "Mr. Emberweave," he began. Daniel glanced up from his tablet, his brow furrowed slightly.
"The fighting in Sumner City hasn't stopped yet," Colonel Parker continued, his voice strained. "I mean... Could you take a look at the intel? There are likely US citizens trapped within the city, and reports suggest hostages might be held in the City Hall..."
One need to know that, The Confederacy's disregard for treaties and international norms has long been a puzzle for many, including Colonel and senior officials within the US government. Despite their defeat in World War II and numerous violations of agreements, they have managed to evade significant sanctions and global repercussions.
The reasons behind this exemption remain shrouded in mystery, with only a select few individuals privy to the truth, and they keep it tightly guarded.
This impunity has allowed the Confederacy to operate with a blatant disregard for international law, resorting to tactics such as hostage-taking and terrorist activities without fear of significant consequences. There was hope that President Reginald's tenure would bring about positive changes, but the sudden drastic shifts hint at underlying turmoil within the Confederacy.
Speculations range from potential changes in leadership, such as a coup, to undisclosed events that have led to the current state of affairs. The uncertainty surrounding these developments adds to the complexity of the situation and raises questions about the true nature of power dynamics within the Confederacy.
"Don't worry, Colonel," Daniel reassured with a chuckle. "Our assault team has a specialist on the ground who will handle the hostage situation and ensure civilian safety."
Meanwhile, in Sumner City, the thunder of gunfire echoed relentlessly through the streets. Daniel had opted against deploying drones to minimize civilian casualties and losses among Confederate soldiers. This concentrated the enemy forces, but also made their heavily armored Rhino tanks unwieldy.
They became easy targets for the hulking Astral PMC soldiers clad in powerful autocannon-equipped power armor.
Inside the City Hall, lifeless Confederate soldiers lay sprawled across the floor. Their throats bore silent, precise wounds, a stark contrast to the usual brash tactics employed by Astral PMC soldiers. Those soldiers were like hammers, smashing through anything in their path.
This operator was the antithesis of that. Clad in a sleek, dark power suit that prioritized agility and stealth over heavy protection, a lone figure moved silently through the City Hall balcony. A holographic display within their helmet highlighted the next target.
This was Maria, a vampire in Daniel's service. Her unique abilities, particularly transforming into mist, made her invaluable for infiltration and intel-gathering missions.
Brushing it off, she continued, "Look at the bright side, it's far better than what those poor souls cleaning up after Dad gets to see." A hint of pride snuck into her voice.
Nicholas's face hardened. "Boasting? You think that's something to be proud of, making things harder for my men? Vlad's a maniac, leaving chaos in his wake. Are you implying you'd follow in his footsteps? Because if you are, I'll be sure to mention that little tidbit in my report for Mr.
Emberweave." It was a clear threat.
Panic flickered in Maria's eyes. "No! Anything but that!" The thought of her beloved master seeing her as a bloodthirsty monster like her father terrified her. It wasn't that she didn't love Vlad, her adopted father. But if Daniel saw her as the same kind of carnage-loving creature, it could destroy his impression of her.
Vlad's presence in Europe, holding the fort for Daniel, isn't exactly peaceful. Thrill-seeking mages and vampires constantly test his might. They crash Sanguinis clan businesses, send in spies, or foolishly challenge Vlad to duels. Some even spark small wars.
All these challenges meet gruesome ends. Vlad ensures a bloody trail remains to deter future foolishness. He keeps Daniel out of the loop, believing his master deserves attention only for full-scale wars with massive casualties. In Vlad's eyes, hundreds of enemy deaths are mere skirmishes, unworthy of a report.
Daniel remains oblivious, but those like Nicholas, coordinating with the High Command such as Odysseus and Penthesilea, are well aware of Vlad's carnage. The men in cleanup duty dread their assignment, longing for a less bloody division.
While the two exchange some light banter, their communication channel receive another noticed that Daniel had arrived along with Colonel Parker.
— Outside City Hall —
Colonel Parker stared, flabbergasted. Invincible soldiers clad in power armor weren't meant to be glorified janitors. Yet, there they were, meticulously cleaning blood and corpses, some even spraying disinfectant across every surface. The scene was a comical juxtaposition of might and mundane tasks.
A figure emerged from a jeep. "Mr. Emberweave!" boomed Nicholas Sullivan, the grizzled field commander. He snapped open his helmet and saluted crisply.
"Everything under control, Commander?" Daniel inquired.
"Absolutely, sir," Nicholas replied. "We're on schedule. Our team is ready to move on, and the bridge is clear. The US Army can now use it for troop and supply passage. We've dismantled all Confederate booby traps."
"Excellent work, Commander," Daniel commended him, a satisfied smile gracing his lips.
Daniel strode into the city hall, now transforming into the Astral PMC's field command headquarters. A VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) craft touched down on a nearby clearing, disgorging a futuristic-looking APC that rumbled out onto the makeshift landing zone.