Please note that there is a small amount of Russian in the story (Translations are not really provided. Run it through a translator), but I don’t speak Russian so I got the Russian from a translator so the quality of Russian could be HORRID
“Zero Alpha, this is Bravo Six. Sitrep, over.”
“Bravo six, this is Zero Alpha, send, over.”
“Bravo six. We have arrived at the area of operations. Awaiting further instructions, over.”
“Zero Alpha. Good job on getting there. No need to await further instructions. You guys know what to do. Get in there, neutralize the threats and rescue the hostages. And destroy their ports if you can, over.”
“Zero Alpha, roger, out.”
The full moon hung in the night sky. Its ethereal light casting a luminous glow onto the scenery. Shadows of trees danced as the wind played a soft and haunting melody. And yet, this picturesque night was marred by the sight of a large and fortified Naval Base, controlled by people that wished to bring terror to their own kind.
I walked around our vehicle, my HK416 lying on my arms. It was just another raid, just another push for the destruction of another ragtag terrorist organization. I watched as some British and American special forces soldiers also arrived. Weary, I sat on a cold, small stone.
“Hello Thomas.” I heard a gruff yet caring voice say.
I raised my head.
“Oh, hello Ivan.” I replied, getting up to shake our interpreter’s hand. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for interpretation services, Thomas, but I’m also fighting with you guys. Sometimes you seem to forget that I’m a part of the SAS as well.”
I laughed, wiping a tear away. “Yeah, that happens. You Russians are so different to us Aussies that I sometimes forget that some of you are actually Australian.”
I looked back into the night sky, more tears sliding down my face. I didn’t stop them. I contemplated the reality of everything that was happening in my life. It seemed laughable, it was laughable. What were we, Australians, doing on a remote Russian island in the Far-East, assisting a nation that we aren’t even on the best of terms?
“Patriots of Democracy.” I chuckled, “one of the most fucking hilarious things I have ever heard in my life. They claim to fight for the ‘liberation’ of Ronograd. But just look at them, taking innocent people hostage and forcing them to do hard labor. Oh well.”
I stood up, and walked to my section commander. He was talking to his second-in-command, who seemed concerned.
“We’ve lost radio contact with Zero Alpha.” One of them said, “but I’m sure it’ll be fine. We know what to do anyways.”
He turned around, and in a barely audible whisper, he gave us orders, as we wore our Night Optic Devices.
“Bravo Six, move out. Try to keep things quiet.”
…
I slowly walked through the Naval base, my HK416 raised. Ivan was besides me, doing the same.
“That’s funny,” I muttered, “there’s no one. No POD personnel, or hostages. And for such an important place too…”
It didn’t make any sense. The Naval Base was probably one of the most important bases that the Patriots of Democracy wanted to have under their control. It was the only place where supplies could secretly be smuggled into the island. And yet, it was empty.
“Hey, Thomas, you might want to have a look at this.” I heard Ivan say in a very concerned and worried toned as he tugged on my shoulder.
What I saw was a sight more grotesque than I could ever have described in my entire time in the SAS.
It was a hostage, evident with the clothing that it was wearing, but everything else looked like something plucked right out of a horror movie taking place in the deep sea.
The… thing, had a third eye perched above its two, emanating a mesmerizing, eerie glow of vibrant purple, akin to the luminescent esca that protruded from its forehead. Its once-familiar skin now transformed into a hue as deep and rich as the midnight ocean. Gills unfurled along its neck, pulsating with the rhythm of the tide, while scales and fins were dotted here an then, like the constellations in the night sky.
Suddenly it let out a rabid snarl, and charged at me.
…
I finally felt my senses come back to me. I tried to move. I could not, my hands were tied. I opened my eyes, and yet everything was pitch black. Blindfolds.
“Ivan!” I whispered loudly. “Are you here!?”
“I am!” Another whisper responded behind me. “I’m stuck to this darn chair!”
I heard a door open. I could feel whatever figure walk inside the chamber. Its footsteps clip-clopped on the ground which… sounded like high heels?
“Hey!” I yelled, somewhat foolishly. “Whoever you are! Untie us!”
I heard the figure chuckle.
“О, посмотрите на вас, западников. Всегда стараетесь выступать в роли героя. Должен признать, вы выглядите довольно милыми, когда извиваетесь и боретесь~”
“I don’t know what you are saying right now Lady!” I yelled again, refusing to silence myself. “And I don’t want to!”
“Ах… Так и не сдаетесь? Хорошо, Александр, принеси химикат. Возможно, это изменит твое мнение…” I heard that dratted lady speak again.
“Er, Thomas.” Ivan whispered urgently, “you should probably remain silent. They have a chemical. I don’t want to know what’s going to happen.”
But I didn’t care. I didn’t care that the terrorists were armed with potential chemical weapons (“You got chemical weapons!? Bring it on then!”), I was filled with rage, adrenaline coursing through my veins. Some footsteps approached.
I sensed a presence drawing near. The air stirs as the needle approaches, its arrival heralded by a subtle shift in the room’s atmosphere. With every nerve on edge, I brace myself for the inevitable intrusion. Suddenly, it’s there—the sharp pressure against my skin, followed by a searing prick that sends a jolt of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Though I can’t see it, I feel the cold steel of the needle penetrating my flesh, a silent invader breaching my body’s defenses. The sensation was horribly cruel, a stark reminder of my vulnerability. And then, just as quickly as it came, the needle is gone, leaving behind only the lingering echo of its touch, a haunting imprint on my senses.
“Ч- Что ты нам дал!? (Wh- What did you give us!?)” Ivan yelled.
I heard the lady chuckle again.
“Одно из наших новейших и самых мощных химических соединений и оружия. Работает как шарм. Он был разработан в нашем секретном бункере. Разумеется, я не могу сказать вам, где он находится, иначе вы заполоните его, как муравьи, а мы не боимся его использовать.”
I heard Ivan grit his teeth in anger. “Cука блять…”
The woman left, but not without a somewhat insulting: “Ну, веселитесь, мальчики~” Well, Whatever that means.
And then, just as that, my blindfolds were removed. And we were escorted to the edge of the pier.
And yet, I felt calm. I didn’t shake with anger despite my hands were still tied. I simply looked up, into the sky.
The sun rose from its slumber, transforming the sky into a beautiful blend of colors—pink, orange, and gold. Its gentle rays touch everything with warmth, breathing life into the new day. Nature stirs with a symphony of sounds, welcoming the dawn. In this serene moment, I’m reminded of the beauty that surrounds us, filling me with awe and gratitude.
I looked down at the ocean. There seems to be a strange allure into it. I could feel its beckoning hand teasing me into joining a part of it. I feel… patriotic, somehow. Patriotic of the ocean, patriotic of the depth. There was an insatiable urge to dive into the water. It felt… as if the ocean and its depths was my home and family, waiting for me to finally return from the turmoil that plagued the world. Perhaps I would turn into one of those people I saw earlier, resembling fish.
At long last, I felt calm. The world was at peace. I was at peace.
And then they kicked me into my ocean. A small part of the massive Bering Sea. My new home.
Finally, Reunited with the sea at last.
…
Meanwhile, lost on the ground 100 meters from the entrance of the Naval Base.
Distorited:
“Bravo Six! Bravo Six! This is Zero Alpha, do you read me!?”
“Bravo Six! This is Zero Alpha! This raid is not to go ahead! I say again! This raid is not to go ahead! The Patriots of Democracy have developed a very lethal chemical weapon that turns people in oceanic monstrosities that works best near the ocean! I repeat! DO NOT COMMENCE THE ATTACK!”
“BRAVO SIX! DO YOU READ ME!?”