The Fall of a Man
“Fucking Chimera”
That’s how most conversations usually went nowadays. My name is Riley and I was born in Sacramento, California August 15, 1932. My family and I have been through hell since the Chimera invaded America. No one really knows how the Chimera came to exist on our planet but we do know it all started in Russia. After the communist movement failed, Russia stayed in the Great War and after the war was over they built a great iron wall to keep the other nations out. America had a hunch that the Russians were conducting biological experiments behind the wall but little news ever got out so it was hard to tell what was taking place.
What little news leak out though told of villages disappearing in a night. The rest of the world took little notice about a few villages dissapearing. We just assumed they needed the people for some experiments. If they wanted to test on their own people, let them. But we soon found out that entire cities started to disappear in a night and that raised the red alert for everyone else. Whatever was causing all the disappearances was staying behind the iron wall and it didn’t come out for an entire decade. But after ten years of being locked up, it wanted loose.
They came like a damn tsunami.
Just like a giant wave the Chimera washed over whole countries within weeks of breaking out. They slammed through defensive lines like they weren’t even there. They had technology that far outclassed anything we had at the time. Giant mechs that mortared cities from miles away and guns that shot energy instead of bullets. Tanks were crushed under the massive feet of their walking fortresses and infantry overwhelmed by sheer numbers. If you didn’t die the Chimera took you away and infected you with the Chimera virus. If you weren’t lucky enough to die in the process, you joined their ranks and started to hunt down humanity yourself.
The virus started out by putting its victims into a deep coma that kept the victim in place until a Carrier arrived to retrieve the unconscious bodies. The Carriers would transport the bodies to conversion centers to speed up the process of turning a human into a Chimeran foot soldier. They took the human body and took what it could do to the extreme. If they needed a larger soldier they would take several humans and mold the bodies together. This how Titans and other large Chimera are born. The Chimera can heal wounds at an incredible rate and have fast reaction times. This comes at a price because their metabolism is about twelve times that of a normal human so they have to have cooling units inserted into their backs so they don’t cook themselves from the inside out.
Chimera are all part of a hive mind which make a sneak attack on a base impossible. If one is able to send out a mental image then the rest will come running to their comrade’s aid. It makes them predictable but still very dangerous.
America was isolated while the rest of the world was falling to the Chimera. Newspapers became government property and the media was censored to hide what was happening. The world was suffering around us but our leaders acted like the problem would just go away or never come to America’s shores. We did lend Britain aid however when they offered us something we wanted very badly. We sent in hundreds of troops to deliver the supplies and pick up the ‘gift’ Britain was giving us. Before we could meet them the Chimera ambushed our forces, and crushed us. Only one survivor walked out of that fight alive and his name was Nathan Hale. He was infected with the Chimera virus but he is the only known case of a human that has woken up after being infected. The virus gave him all the powers the Chimera possessed without the side effects.
Hale’s body was able to heal wounds that would be mortal to normal human beings. His reaction time also increased to allow more effective combat on the battle field. With these new abilities Hale took it upon himself to stop the Chimera in Britain and over the course of a few days he helped turn the tides of war in British favor.
After the fighting he was brought back to America where he entered a special program under the military organization called S.R.P.A. He joined a group of elite soldiers that have willingly been infected by the virus to gain the powers of the Chimera and use them against the invaders. These soldiers called themselves Sentinels. He led a group called Echo and with his three teammates they became the best team out of all of them. But no matter how hard we fought, the Chimera would always have an ace up their sleeve and we would be forced to fall back. With each passing day we moved back into a parameter of giant gun towers we use to keep their fleet of airships from entering our last safe zone.
I joined the Sentinels soon after they formed and took up a squad of my own. We called ourselves Wolf. I was in overall command of the team with three of my good childhood friends as my teammates. We stormed Chimera bases and took one of the top spots on the Sentinel team ranks. We would get in over our heads but we always kept each other’s spirits up. But when we stormed a Chimera conversion tower on an information gathering mission we were corned by Chimera forces. We fought our way out but we lost so many good teams on that mission and I lost a dear friend of mine. Many missions followed that one and over the course of them I lost my other two friends to the monsters. I no longer felt invincible after losing my friends to the enemy.
Then the worst possible thing happened. Our defense towers fell and the Chimera stormed our final safe zone. The last of America’s strong holds fell to the Chimera and now we face an enemy we have little chance at defeating.
There is hope.
Humanity was able to make a nuclear bomb with technology we stole from a downed Chimera ship. Our final plan is to put that nuclear bomb in their Capitol battleship power core to not only kill it but all other ships in the Chimera fleet. The operation was given the name Black Eden. The operation is our bes,t and most likely final chance, at turning the tides of war in favor of humanity. All of the surviving Sentinels had been gathered to deliver the device. We fought our way through the streets of Baton Rouge, Louisiana to reach the Chimra fleet. The streets were soaked in the blood of my friends and the blood of the Chimera. There is no room for error; if we fail all of the bloodshed for humanity will be for nothing.
We fought the Chimera forces for hours. Up and down streets like we were in a giant maze trying to lose our pursuers while making our way towards their ships. They sent some of the top breeds of Chimera against us to stop our desperate last move. We faced the brutal Ravangers along with the towering Titans. With the Ravangers running through our ranks with their devastating arsenal and the Titans firing explosive rounds at the survivors, our chances looked slim. But we pushed on with the best of the best backing our cause.
Nathan Hale had lost most of his team on a single mission not too long ago and now he is running out of time before the virus takes over. Even with so little time left, he is using it to help us take down the Chimera for good. He fought his way through streets filled with Chimera on his own to join us at the bomb. After travelling through a swamp filled with Chimera Chameleons, Hale arrived at a docking platform were we plan to commandeer a supply ship.
“Hey Riley. You all right?”
“Huh?” The voice of the commanding officer, Major Blake, brought me from back from my memories. “Yes sir, I’m fine.”
“Snap out of it, I need you to focus today.” He started to turn away but stopped. “What were you thinking about?”
I take a deep breath before I explain in a slow quiet voice. “Just about everything that has happened sir. All the friends I’ve lost and family I will never see again. Just thinking about why I need to fight and put an end to all of this.”
“…All right.” Blake turned away but I heard one final line escape his lips. “Fucking Chimera.”
In a few minutes we will land on the main battleship and all hell will break lose. I look over the weapons I have brought with me on this operation. I brought a custom built Folsom carbine and the accurate burst fire Marksman. The Folsom was custom built to allow more time between each shot so I can control the recoil easier. I added a bayonet to the front of it to allow a more devastating attack in case the Chimera rushed us. The under barrel grenade launcher was primed and ready to go. I open up the gun to look at the cleaned and polished insides. I took care of the weapons placed in my hands, understanding that they could one day save my life and I needed them to work when that time came.
I place the Folsom to my side and take the Marksman from my back. The weapon was designed from Chimera tech but it was made using a human touch. The gun was made to be a sniper rifle but it’s more like a burst fire assault rifle. They normally had scopes to them but since this will be close quarters I took it off in favor of the iron sights. The scope has been placed in my bag though just in case. They say this weapon might even become the standard issue rifle for the soldiers. Hopefully after today we won’t need them for too long.
I pull out my .44 magnum that is strapped to my leg and make sure its chambers are rotating. The gun is able to fire rounds that after they implant themselves in a target the rounds can explode causing the death of everyone around the initial target. Most of the others carry semi-automatic handguns but I prefer the reliability of the revolver. Finally I pull the knife from its sheath and inspect the stainless steel blade. Its double edge blade makes quick work of even the toughest enemy hide. It is the final back up I have if all else fails.
I place the knife and magnum back in there appropriate places, ready to be pulled out quickly if the need arises. I sling the Marksman onto my back for easy carrying and I hold the Folsom in my hands looking over the scratches it has obtained over all the missions we have been together. The supply ship begins it docking procedures so we all start to stand and prepare for a fight with the crew when we exit the ship. The back door drops and we rush out expecting the Chimera to meet us with ferocious fire but are surprised to see no one is around.
Major Blake spoke first. “All right team, we don’t have long before they notice we’re here. Gather the bomb and let’s move. Hale, you and Capelli go around and take the bastards by surprise. The rest of you are with me in dropping off our surprise gift.”
All answered him with a resounding roger and we went to work. I was in the back watching our six while we kept the bomb in the middle of our group for maximum protection. As we moved through the hallways of the Chimera ships, I saw out how classed we really were in technology. Even our brightest minds would be unable to digest all the information around us. The power behind each of their machines makes anything we do look insignificant. We move through each corridor with little resistance from the Chimera.
Maybe, just maybe this mission will succeed and we can go home to our families.
We enter a large area at the bottom of the ship. The ship has two sides to it right now and between both sides is an opening that opens to the ground below. A bridge spans this gap and is our only way across aside from taking a long walk around the area. We make our way across the bridge with each of us on our toes waiting for a surprise attack.
We got one.
A door on the other side bursts open to reveal about twenty hybrids with Ravangers as back up. With no cover on the bridge those in front were easy prey for the hybrids and Ravangers. We ran back to our side and took any cover where we could and began our fight for the bridge.
“Riley throw a grenade!”
“Roger!” I toss my frag grenade into the Chimera group. Those who saw it ducked out of the way leaving their more vulnerable brothers to face the shrapnel storm alone. Six Chimera were caught in the blast of the grenade. As they lay screaming on the ground with blood filling their lungs the rest fought on like they were never there. The dying cries of the Chimera filled us with hope and we fought had to take the bridge. But then a Titan showed up to aid the already powerful force.
“Dammit! Riley give me covering fire!” Blake shouted over the roar of the bullets around us.
“Yes sir!” I pulled my Folsom up to my shoulder and pulled the charging handle back. With a satisfying click the gun chambered the first round out of a fresh magazine. I flipped the select fire trigger to full auto and let fly the lethal storm of .303 rounds. With each nudge into my shoulder a round sailed down range towards a Chimera soldier and his oh so vulnerable flesh. The rounds rip through them causing wounds that splatter the walls behind them in a shower of blood and guts. Their head exploding covering others in their brain matter. Some coughing up blood as it fills their lungs, making them dead on their feet.
Blake moved up and gave orders to the others but our numbers are dwindling. The odds are now 3to1 and only getting worse. As I shoot I notice movement off to our side and see that we had been out flanked by several hybrids.
“Major Blake!” Was all I could say before several Bullseye rounds torn through his flesh causing the commander to slump over breathing his last breath. His eyes slowly closed as the blood poured from the wounds and soon one of our best fell into the never-ending sleep.
“Major!”
The few of us who remained were pushed back into a corner and we were running out of ammo. I was able to make it through a door but my last two comrades were cut down by Chimera fire. I ran down the halls to put distance between me and the murderous Chimera behind me. As I ran everything became a blur in my eyes, all I could do was run. I sprinted down the corridors where only a few Chimers could run at a time and the large number behind me kept getting in each other’s way. As the noise of boots hitting the ground behind me died I found a small room where I could rest and catch my breath.
Everything that happened finally caught up to me. We lost the bomb on the bridge and I was the only one alive from my squad. The bomb was now in their hands and even if I went out there I would be killed before I even caught up to the bomb. I take off my helmet and give it good long look. The mask is covered in the blood of my friends and so is the S.R.P.A. marking on the side of the helmet. I look at all the blood and think about whom it belongs to. James, Don, Alvarez, Danby, and Blake’s blood now cover the mask of the only Sentinel that is still alive. I hadn’t cried in years but this is all too much. MY tears fall on the mask, washing away the blood to leave a clean surface underneath.
“I’m sorry; I’m so so sorry everyone. I can’t, I just can’t do it. Not on my own.” I say to myself through the tears. Then over the radio I hear a voice calling out.
“Hale…the-… bomb”
Surprised by the voices I don’t grab the radio and listen in.
“Damnit Hale…if you fail humanity is dead.”
Nathan Hale and Joseph Capelli were still alive and fighting. I took a look at my helmet one more time and realized that I was just sitting on my ass while the world crumbled around me. All the people the Chimera have killed and all those that are looking to us to stop the slaughter are now counting on the few of us that still live. With new determination in my heart I slide the helmet back on and reach for the radio.
“This is Wolf one. The rest of my squad is dead but I am still able to fight. Where do you need me?”
No response.
“Hale? Capelli? Can either of you hear me?”
Again no response. I look down to see that the wiring in my radio had been hit by a stray Bullseye round in my retreat.
“Shit.” I stood up and made my way out of the room and back in the direction I had come from. My Folsom was low on ammo so I switch to the Marksman for more fire power. Each hall I go down I see the scorch marks from the Bullseye energy rounds that missed me. I am stopped by a set of blast doors, sealing off the area the bomb was at but another set of doors lead deeper into the ship.
“Whatever trouble I cause for the Chimera keeps them away from those two.” I come across a hanger full of Chimera drop ships and fighters. This is my best bet at keeping them away from Hale and Capelli. I look to the floor below to see other teams had made it to the room but had been cut down long before I had arrived. I say a silent prayer to my fallen brothers and make my way towards a fighter. Like most of the Chimeran weapons, this fighter uses energy as its main firepower. I don’t have the explosives to destroy the core and set off a chain reaction but maybe one of the dead has something. I make my way to the bodies while staying out of sight from the work crews in the hanger.
The bodies had a variety of weapons on them that could make me a dangerous fight in any situation. I see a drop ship not too far from me and it is unguarded by any Chimera. I choose that ship to be my escape ship if this plan works and I make it out alive. I gather the weapons and supplies the bodies are carrying. I move to the ship and open the hatch to the inside. Closing the hatch behind me I look over the weapons I now have at my disposal.
• 1x Rossmore 236 with 186 rounds
• 1x L210 LAARK with 10 rockets
• 1x L23 Fareye with 112 rounds
• 3x Folsom Carbine with 572 rounds
• 1x Marksman with 372 rounds
• 2x HE .44 Magnums with 66 rounds
• 10x Air Fuel grenades
• 15x Backlash grenades
• 25x Fragmentation Grenades
• 13x Spider Grenades
• 9 pounds of C4
My new vessel also contained many different weapons of Chimera origin. Many Bullseye, Augers, and even a couple of Atomizers the Ravangers use. I leave them for now and take a pound of C4 and my Marksman with me. I lock the ship behind me so not one of these bastards will take all my supplies and my ride home.
“Capelli…bomb…secured.” Hale’s voice came over the radio and encouraged me to continue my mission. I made it to the fighter without any Chimera noticing my movement and I place the C4 under the area the core of the fighter is held. I get the detonator ready and move towards a spot where I can cover most of the room while keeping myself relatively safe. I choose a spot behind three massive metal boxes and get my Marksman ready for the fire fight of a life time. I pull out the detonator and hit the button.
*BOOOOOOM!!!*
An explosion rocks the room as the fighter goes up in flames. Any Chimera nearby are disintegrated by the intense heat and other are burning. As I had hoped, a chain reaction has started and nearby drop ships and fighter begin to detonate as well. Chimera are running around confused by the fact that their ships are exploding and I take this opportunity to make myself know. I line up a Chimera with my sights and pull the trigger. Three gentle pushes signal the three ion rounds leaving the barrel of the weapon. They slam into the Head of the Chimera rendering it nonexistent. The others turn to see their brother fall but soon join him as I swing the rifle left and right in quick succession. They fell one by one with only a few making it behind cover and now the duck and fire battle starts.
For several minutes I pop in and out for cover catching the bastards when I can and diving when I see fire coming my way. My guns range keeps me at a distance while their weapons fires in a wide arc leaving me plenty of room to dodge them. Soon the hangar is clear of enemies and I go about sabotaging the rest of the ships.
*BOOOOOOOOOM!!!*
Another explosion rocks the ships beneath my feet and I fall to my knees. “What the hell was that?!”
“Hale…we…get off...ship…let’s go!”
They did it! Those sons of bitches actually did it! After sabotaging the last of the ships I head towards my own to escape. I hop inside and close the latch behind me. I start the preparations for takeoff when another explosion rocks the ship. “I’m running out of time.”
The ship begins its vertical ascent and I raise the landing gear to make the ship more streamline in flight. I slowly move out the hangar door to the outside world. Pieces of the ship are falling all around me and some even hit the top of my ship. I maneuver to avoid the larger falling pieces. After I clear the debris I slam the ship into full power and race away from the crumbling flag ship. I look around for anymore escaping ships and see my fellow Sentinels flying it.
Another massive explosion rocks the world around me but this one is different from any of the others I had heard. I look back to see the Chimera capitol ship burst into several large chunks and fall down to earth. Just like in the hangar the others around it begin to explode and break apart. We had done it! The Chimera were dead and gone! I get to go home now and see my family again. If I wasn’t so focused on getting out of here I would do a little dance of victory.
As I raced away I could hardly believe we had actually done it. The Chimera always had an ace in the hole in case they lost like this but it seems they weren’t expecting an assault on their fleet. I look back one last time at the wreckage that was the most powerful fleet on the planet.
“Take that you six eyed bastards.”
No sooner had those words left my lips than a beam of light hit the sky in from of me. The light was so blinding I had to cover my eyes to keep myself from turning away. As the light died down I saw a sight that left me speechless. Well…almost.
“What the Fuck?” The sky was now filled with stars that were not ours and planets I could not recognize. It’s a portal to another part of the universe. “No…no…no”
Even now the Chimera had an ace in the hole and we walked right into it. Where ever it leads its nowhere close to Earth. I try to turn my ship but the shockwave from the nuclear bomb knocks my ships closer the portal in the sky. With little choice I hold on for dear life as I hurtle closer and closer to what looks like my end.
“Goodbye Mom. Goodbye Dad. Enjoy the Chimera free world we worked so hard for.” I felt the tears streaming down my face.
With those final words to my family I enter the portal but not before the energy of the nuclear explosion and the massive energy in the portal mix. The mixture of energy attacks my body and my blood began to boil. My bones begin to snap and turn to mush in my body. The pain is too intense for me to take and I start to black out. Before I leave the realm of the conscious I get one last look at Earth.
“Fucking Chimera.” Then I was gone.