Soulless World

Washington D.C.

United States

April 22, 2066

“Mr. President we cannot hold back with this information! We should attack NOW!” The secretary of defense yelled slamming his hands on the black table.

“But if we attack now we could cause an international incident that could escalate too far with the Empire.” The secretary of state was very troubled by the information.

“What we need is to confront them about it and ask them for more peace talks and cool the situation down.” The Vice President was very peaceful and optimistic about politics.

The reason why the president chose him for a running mate in the elections. “What y’all are telling me is that the Imperial Military not only invented a weapon that can harness this new form of radiation but also found their gateway to ascension?” The president was holding his hands together looking down at a piece of paper. “The Empire has the technology to destroy us hundreds of time over… and you want me to act without the consent of the USSR or the AF, AND! To top that invade Spain a member of the United European States?”

“Yes because if we don’t the Empire will attack them and kill millions more and gain the ability to activate the warheads.” The Secretary of Defense said. The room all looked at the president adding to his stress.

“What’s the status of the archway they found?” The President asked.

“We sent in a full American squad of Hell Knights the Russians don’t know anything about it. And it appears deactivated and we are in control of it.” The Secretary of Defense said.

“Damn it… I want that place destroyed then get rid of it because they will be back for it.” Even after Russia saved the US from total death and gave the US back its will to be involved in the world stage we still can’t help but hold stuff back from them. “We will not invade Spain and after this meeting is over I’m going to give the Russians a call and arrange a meeting.” Just as the gray haired man known as the president got done talking a buzzard on the desk began to ring. “Yes what is?”

“Mr. President you need to turn on the news…” The mechanical voice said.

********

“I am reporting from the outskirts of Madrid Spain where just twenty minutes ago the city fell under heavy bombardment from five low orbit bombers dropping without warning! The city was then surprised even more by three Harbinger Mobile Fortresses flown in by a major invasion force of Imperial Troops!” The news reporter was pointing back to a city with three large humps surrounded by fire.

“We cannot stay here any longer we need to move now!” a voice from off camera yelled at the reporter.

“I’m being told that it’s no longer safe here for me to stay!” She yelled out when a fleet of helicopters and jets flew right above the crew of reporters. “Are they friendly?” at the blink of an eye the sky was blackened by missiles and deafened by the sound of rockets and explosions landing on the city and three walking fortresses.

After two minutes of the non stop barrage of rockets a bright light exploded from the center of the scene a light brighter than the sun followed by a massive black cloud in the middle of the city with only two fortresses standing and a burning city.

“John you ok!?” The reporter screamed yelled out running in front of the camera. The scene in the distance was unimaginable the sky was raining fire down and fighter jets blackening the sky with a massive dog fight and tens of them exploding and raining down on the dead city with the streets filled with gun fire and helicopters fighting. It was Pandora’s Box out there not a single tower was left standing.

The camera was cut off by a man sitting at a news desk with his face covered by his hands.

“Madrid, Spain under Attack by Imperial Forces thousands presumed dead in first hour of attack!” the bottom of the screen read.

*******

“Mr. President?” Secretary of State asked as he watched the big TV on the wall.

The TV then showed a very large yellow symbol when a soldier entered the room with a suit case. “Mr. President a Launch has been detected.” The soldier said.

The old man grabbed the suit case and opened it to see a screen with a blue outline of the world seeing a single yellow symbol in the middle of France. “Get up Satellite eyes Now!” he yelled out.

After about a minute the TV on the wall showed an aerial live view of the city, It showed more gunships moving in from the south and more retreating for the north. Then the screen went white.

“Did we lose connection?” The Vice president asked rising from the table.

“No we didn't that is confirmed use of one Strategic Nuclear missile.” The soldier on a computer in the room said.

“I want troops in Europe now and Ryan get in a plane you’re going to Geneva to start a ceasefire agreement with the UN and set up a defense around France.”

“Sir you have a phone call.” The intercom sounded.

“It can wait right now I want a video feed up.” The president said into it.

“Sir it’s the Russian President.” The president grabbed the phone from the soldier.

“I take you are watching the same thing I was?”

“Yes we have a sub in the area.” The Russian President said. “I have ordered an emergency council session here in Moscow I suggest you do the same because this is just the first step to a full war.”

“Yes I understand I’m sending troops to Spain right now and Brazil.” The American president said.

“Why send to Brazil?” The Russian president asked.

The President defiantly did not want to discuss it more. “We have reason to believe that they will attack there next.” The president said.

“I see well get defenses up but Europe is our main priority. I must go now.” The phone went silent.

“Mr. President what are we going to do?” The Secretary of Defense asked.

“Destroy that gate then we move troops to Europe and assist their war.”

“Mr. President we have a visual.” The soldier said.

He turned to the giant TV on the wall. “Good get it up.” What they saw was very unsuspected the last two Harbingers where still standing and moving around unaffected by three nuclear bombs exploding on their heads.

“Satellites show reinforces inbound to that location and paratroopers have been spotted in Rome, Berlin, and a beach landing in Marseilles.” The soldier said.

“It’s a full scale invasion… I want troops there now and lower us to DEFCON 2.” The neon sign on the wall moved down two spaces out of five now glowing orange it showed the weight of the situation. “Men if this isn't the end of days it sure does feel like it.”

******

“Why are we going to let them not tell us where the Captain is?” An angry Russian yelled at his comrades in a relaxation room.

“Quiet down you idiot this is suspicious but we can’t do anything about it Archer.” A soothing female voice said to the angered Russian, her voice had a thick Moscow accent but was soft as well.

“Yeah your right but all we know is he left on a solo mission and then the next report I intercepted was he vanished, AND to top that an all American squad was moved to the same place.” Archer said.

A man with a Stetson hat popped his head up from behind a table. “Wow now y’all don’t think us Americans are responsible now do you?” The man said with a thick Texan accent.

Archer looked at his Texan comrade. “No cowboy I don’t, I just think it’s very suspicious.”

The Texan moved towards them with three bottles. “Well I don’t know but have a beer, Want one Alexa?” he moved a beer to the woman.

“No thank you but thanks, we can’t let this leave this room but I’m almost positive that what he found is a portal to another world… the world the Temple of light wanted to control for their so called Ascension to god hood the pilgrimage of Man needs to take.” The woman said.

“How did you find this out Alexa?” A man with a eastern European accent said. Previously on the couch he walked up to the group and grabbed the beer the Texan was offering to the woman.

“Captain and I exchanged helmet cam codes.” She said looking at her wrist PDA.

“Wow when did you get that?” The Texan said with the slight hint of jealousy.

“Last month. and no we aren't close we just thought it would be better since I am the second highest rank here.” She said.

The Texan relaxed a bit and let out a sigh. “What is it Comrade? You jealous that the Captain got Alexa’s cam code?” Sasha let out a big laugh. “Haha that was joke Cowboy.”

“Ha ha very funny Sasha I’m not jealous. I don’t have any feelings like that to anyone.” The Texan said nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

Sasha started laughing even harder now. “HAHA I never said that you liked Alexa!” Sasha fell on the ground with a blushing Moscow woman and a Texan with his hand on his face.

“And you wonder why we never get the cool missions... Alexa what did you see?” Archer said

“I saw his whole battle and it was very impressive but then when he got into the temple his cam started to falter then there was a CQB in the main room after that he ran into another room and then it went to static.” Alexa said.

“Well we won’t get him back just sitting here we need to move and find him.” Archer said.

“We will and will help him in any way he needs but it will have to wait until we find out what really happened and keep it between us four it’s a private mission no documents and no politics.” All four soldiers put there right fist in a pile between them.

“YEE-HAA!” Cowboy yelled jumping up some.

“No Comrade left behind!” Archer said lifting his had up into the air.

“FOR VODKA!” Sasha Yelled throwing his hand into the air.

“for the Captain.” Alexa said finally throwing her fist in the air.

******

Rome is burning and the sky is black with no sunlight showing through. The clouds rain fire down on the dead city of millions.

A city built to glory destroyed rebuilt and destroyed again without mercy without warning. Streets filled with the dead. Rivers flow with blood of the innocent.

Madrid is burning and the sky is black with no sunlight showing through. The clouds rain fire down on the dead city of millions. Millions dead in the blink of an eye, streets with the shadowy image of the dead blasted on the walls of buildings too forever stand as the image of their death through nuclear fire.

Marseilles is burning and the sky is black with no sunlight showing through. the clouds rain fire down on the dead city of millions. A city of peace and culture now holds the art of blood and death in their halls of glory burning.

*****

“I’m sorry captain but I can’t let you got back… you suffered enough, time for some peace.” Celestia sat in her room silently sobbing to herself from the images she just seen.