Crystalline Universe: Team Fortress 2 Overwatch - Volume 3: Crystalline Universe: Bloodline's Curse Chapter 64 The Red Cross Of Death
Admiral Valentine carefully pointed his finger upon the holographic map in front of Sniper. His index gradually moved from Kazakhstan to Iran, then to Irak and finally, coming to hold on the Russian territory beside Ukraine.
[Valentine] (in a german accent) – “Dear leader, as you can obzerve, the Talon 7th and 13th fleet made greatz progress through the weakened Middle east empire after their battle against Overwatch. The middle east separatist empire declared surrender after our offensive but some of their forces join up with Overwatch to hold the Russian territory extending through the middle east. The 2nd and 9th army are suffering heavy casualties and if we keep on going, we may lose our ground. ”
The war room soon went silent as every commanding officer waited for Sniper’s response. As time went on, Sniper stood still while he bathed in his decision without a single word. Some of the generals sat nervously in their chair as they realized that with every minute, their men are dying a pointless death on the frontline.
Sniper slowly raised his head and firmly observed his men around him before standing up to his two feet from his chair.
[Sniper] – “Deploy the “Tsas XX”, one army and one fleet will be enough to settle down the insurgency. ”
Valentine instinctively raised his hand and touched the special glowing red and silver XX pin on his collar. The admiral seemed uneasy to hear about Sniper’s wish to deploy the XX.
[Valentine] – “Do your majesty wish me to lead to operation? ”
[Sniper] – “No, contact me, XX marshal, The Judge, I want him to organize the operation. We will focus on the matters around the resistance’s hold-up. ”
[Valentine] – “Az you command, my leader. ”
*A few hours later
The city of Volgograd was in ruin, in the spend of a few hours, the glorious city which was mostly untouched by the battles now in a state of total disaster. Even though the Overwatch forces just withdrew from the city, the bombardment continued. The fire burned along with the huge cloud of smoke that contained more the deads’ ashes than dust.
There were no cries or scream amongst the streets, all that could be heard were gunshots and the sound of the soldiers’ march.
Darlynn flew across the sky in her aircraft in worry while trying to find her residence amid the rubbles. Finally, after some time, she found the half-damaged structure of her house.
Her little brother lived in this residence in Russia while both of her parents are away. Just a while ago, Darlynn received news that her parents left her little brother in the warzone while they flew away with her little sister.
The girl felt a soul burning hate for her parents when she realized that they left her brother on the battleground so he could be killed by the raging war. The reason? He was mentally damaged, therefore, he’s a nuisance to the Mann family.
Darlynn landed her ship on the grass in front of her home and immediately ran toward the ruins. She hastily removed some heavy pieces by cutting them down with her rapier and pulled out her unconscious little brother buried under a smashed table.
[Darlynn, in a panic] – “Please, don’t die, please don’t die! ”
To her relief, the boy was still alive and breathing but strangely, Darlynn couldn’t find any of the servants or staff usually working at the residence.
Suddenly, a chain of gunfires afar caught Darlynn’s attention off her search.
*On the roadside
[Lieutenant] – “Set, ready, fire! ”
The XX soldiers all fired without hesitation on a group of captured civilians who all fell into a large already dug-up pit in the soil. Every soldier wore a dark-coloured uniform and on their helmets were the mark of x where the letter’s edges were folded outward in contrast to the executioner’s inward folded x.
*The Tsas XX is called the “Executive Execution special armed tri-squadron”
-The outward edged X represents the infantry armies composed of 5 armies with a total of 14 000 000 soldiers and 5 fleets. The infantry soldiers are referred to as blast trooper.
-The inward edged X represents the executioner corp which is composed of executioners, special soldiers created during Sniper’s absence as a special unit without crystal abilities.
-The double X marks the commanding officers and original executioners with crystal abilities.
The Tsas XX is created as a special army reserve for Talon’s most dangerous missions. Due to the nature of their tactics and missions, the infantry is infamous for committing war crimes wherever it passes a populated area. The army is mostly composed of loyalists to Sniper’s cause and decorated armies throughout the many years of skirmishes. Most often, the army’s atrocities were covered by crews of trace cleaners, propagandas and lies so they wouldn’t be badly viewed by the people.
Darlynn quietly peeked at the group of men behind a tree after deposing her brother on her ship.
[Lieutenant] – “Bring the next wave in! ”
A group of citizens were pushed to stand in front of the hole at gunpoint by the soldiers. All of sudden, Darlynn recognized her butler between a few other prisoners.
In shock, the young lady stepped toward the lieutenant but before she could speak, the militants all pointed their gun at her head. The lieutenant slowly turned toward Darlynn and stared at her with a pair of proud eyes.
[Lieutenant] – “May I help you, young girl? ”
Darlynn quickly pulled her executioner badge out and placed it in front of the officer’s face.
[Darlynn] – “Tsas XX executioner, Darlynn Mann, I want answers on why are those men and women getting executed! ”
[Lieutenant] – “Oh… I never knew there will be executioner enforcements, it’s a great honour to meet you, miss Darlynn. ”
The officer tended his hand to the young lady who hesitated at first but still shook it at the end.
[Darlynn] – “Now, tell me about the prisoners! ”
[Lieutenant] – “Of course, we were just executing traitors to Talon. ”
Darlynn slightly stared at the pit beside her where the executed were thrown down. The sight was more than horrific and a level beyond cruel; men, women, elders, children and babies were filling up the pit. Darlynn understood that this isn’t a simple execution but extermination. Although she felt like crying or straight-up murder all the war criminals around her, she remained stoic.
If she starts attacking them, she’ll lose to their shared firepower but the most important is keep her traitorous identity a secret.
[Darlynn] – “Stop, haven’t you executed enough people already? ”
[Lieutenant] – “Hey, step aside and observe, you have no authority over us, it’s a direct order from XX marshal, The Judge. ”
Darlynn, faced with no choice, had to step aside and witness the barbarities of the soldiers.
Group after group, prisoners of war and innocents were sent to stand in front of the hole for execution. Darlynn has to close her eyes every time the XX soldiers opens fire without remorse.
The final group of prisoners finally came after 5 waves of execution. Darlynn suddenly saw a little girl standing beside her mother who’s about to be both executed.
[Lieutenant] – “As traitors of Talon, all of you shall be executed for your treachery and compassion for Overwatch. Your crime is a crime against the common well of the people… ”
After a moment of hesitation, she finally gave in her intention. Darlynn stepped forward to the officer and lied about the two of them being her sister and niece.
[Lieutenant] (in a suspicious tone) – “What are you suggesting? You want me to release them? I’m afraid I can’t do that. ”
[Darlynn] – “They are not traitors, I can guarantee you with my belief and loyalty in Talon and lord Sniper. ”
The lieutenant stared at Darlynn in doubt but soon, he nodded and ordered that the girl be released.
[Darlynn] (in a horrified voice) – “What about my sister? ”
[Lieutenant] – “Be thankful for my grace, I could have said no to both of them. ”
The girl was dragged away while crying from her mother who discreetly thanked Darlynn for her kindness. A heartless soldier brutally grabbed the little girl and dropped her front of Darlynn.
As the girl cried while desperately trying to run back to her mother, Darlynn hugged her in her arms in tears.
[Lieutenant] – “Get this over with, fire when ready. ”
The sound of the weapons was accompanied by bodies that were dropping like rain inside the pit.
[Lieutenant] – “That’s all for this sector, 126 executions, let’s move on to the next. ”
The girl kept on struggling inside Darlynn’s arms in tears while the soldiers walked away from the scene as if nothing happened.
[Girl, in tears] – “Mom! Mom! I want to go back to mom! ”
The girl abruptly freed herself from Darlynn’s grasp and ran back to the execution pit but the lieutenant swiftly pulled a pistol of his holster and shot the girl in the head.
[Darlynn] (in a scream) – “NOOOOO! ”
[Lieutenant] – “Let’s get moving! Executioner, come on! ”
Darlynn quickly regained her calm and slowly retook her composure.
[Darlynn] – “No, you guys go, I have another mission here. ”
[Lieutenant] – “Alright then, soldiers let’s get moving, she’s not coming with us. ”
The officer along with the soldiers boarded the troop transport and moved to the next area.
Darlynn waited until she couldn’t see the vehicle anymore on the horizon before she ran back inside her ship.
Once on her aircraft, she first checked on her little brother before pulling the hidden camera out of her sleeve. What happened today cannot be ignored. If she shows this recording, no one will believe her. But through it all, she knew that the record can be used one day to render justice to the fallen.
On that day, she swore to help Mike in his quest and no matter what happens, she’s ready to give her life if it’s necessary because to start a movement, she’ll need strong allies.
To be continued… Next Chapter: [Passion warriors]
