Chapter 12: chapter 12

It’s been two weeks since I have had any human contact unless you count Officer Russell. I won’t even talk to Connor even though he’s my second in command. Good thing I’ve been very busy so I haven’t had much time to really think about what happened just a few weeks ago. I’ve had many meetings with the other Generals, while also having paper work, and even working on my fighting skills. I’ve been working so hard on controlling my bloodlust that I know I’m close to mastering it. I thought I could keep it up until one day, after a meeting between us Generals, it was decided that I should take a small group of men to the enemy’s weaponry station and find out what the secret weapon is, if there is one.

So here I am now, in a small helicopter with my old team and Connor. He decided to tag along because he knew his way around. Jacks wanted to come but I knew his anger would get the best of him so I held him back and had him take care of his brother. We only needed Alex for codes and security so he stayed back also. Even though Connor knew the layout of the facility, doesn’t mean he knew all of the information.

I sigh as I feel the tension rising in the helicopter. The guys haven’t taken their eyes off each other. I have a suspicion that it’s because of me but try to ignore it. We don’t have time for this. I just want to get this mission over with so I can go back in my office and hide out. I was going to say something until I heard the pilot tell us we were landing. I turn to the guys.

“Alright, suit up. We’re going in swiftly and quietly.” I say seriously.

All of them nod their heads and start to get ready. As we get close to the ground, I remind the men of the game plan.

“Alright, we’re keeping it simple. Connor’s coming with me so he can point me in the right direction. I’m going to look for the weaponry room while Tristan keeps a look out from above. Tristan’s going to be our eyes while Alex is our ears. Gale and Brock are going to stay in the shadows but if a problem crosses our paths, they’re going to distract the enemy as much as they can. Got it?” I ask.

“Yes General.” They all say in unison.

“Roger.” Alex says in the mic.

“Good, then let’s go. Everyone into your positions.” I say.

Everyone takes off and before I take off, Tristan stops me.

“General, where should I go to get a good view?” Tristan asks.

I think a moment before speaking.

“Take the helicopter and use the night and clouds as camouflage. Also, use the new binoculars Jacks made. It’s supposed to zoom in much more.” I say.

“Ok.”

I start to turn back around before I feel hands grab my shoulders and pull me into an embrace.

“Please, please be careful.” Tristan whispers in my ear.

I feel my heart pick up a bit and decide to indulge just this once. I hug Tristan back and nod my head.

“General, we have to go.” Connor says.

Tristan releases me and we stare at each other for a moment before Connor and I take off. In the distance, I hear the helicopter in the air and hope to god no one notices it.

Connor and I near the gates of the facility and the good thing is that there aren’t any guards but the security is tight. This place doesn’t have many soldiers but the security is top notch. Alex gives me all the information I need to get in. As Connor and I walk through the gates, he quickly leads the way. We take many turns until we get to a big vault.

“Is this it?” I ask him.

“Yes, I’m positive. If there’s any kind of secret weapon, it would be in here.” Connor says confidently.

“Alright, well Alex, you’re up.” I say.

“On it, just give me a few minutes.” He says.

As Connor and I wait patiently in silence, he decides now is the best time to talk.

“Look Anna, I’m sorry for my temper getting out of control back then. I was just so- so- so jealous.” Connor whispers the last part.

“Connor, now isn’t the time to be-”

“Please, let me finish. It will only be a minute.” He interrupts me.

I sigh and wait for him to continue.

“You see, I really didn’t mean to fall for you. It’s just, when I first saw you, out on the battlefield, I was mesmerized. You looked so strong and powerful yet graceful and beautiful. I regretted having to take you down but was glad when you visited me for the first time and didn’t hold anything against me. You were refreshing. I knew you were special. After all the little visits, I knew I was falling for you. At first, I didn’t want to accept it but then I realized that it wouldn’t be so bad to fall for such a woman. Not just any woman, but you. You’re not helping just me but even my country to end this war to save many lives. You’re kindhearted and there’s not one selfish bone in your body.” Connor looks at me seriously. “From the first moment I met you, I knew I had fallen for an angel. I love you Anna.”

I stare at Connor, wide-eyed. I don’t know what to say. I’ve only had a real confession like that and let’s just say it didn’t work out. Now, right here in front of me, this amazing man is pouring his heart out and I can’t even reply to his confession.

“I- I-“

“You don’t have to answer me but I do hope you at least think about what I said.” Connor gives me a small but sad smile. “I’ll wait as long as I have to.”

“But Connor, I-“

“Don’t answer him Anna!” Brock yells into the mic.

“W-what? Did you guys just hear all of that?” I ask.

“Yes and I do say, I think I might have some real competition with Mr. Smith.” Tristan says.

“Anna, you can’t just answer him; you know how all of us feel about you.” Gale says calmly.

“None of you are right for her though. Anna and I have had a connection since the second mission.” Alex says into the mic.

“Keep dreaming kid. She was just sympathizing with you. She was just doing it for the mission. I’m much more of a man than you and could protect her. I did protect in the first mission.” Brock says.

“You didn’t even like her from the beginning. If anything, you’re the worst match for her out of all of us.” Alex yells back.

“As much as I would love to talk about how I’m much better for Anna, I think we should stick to the real reason why we’re here.” Tristan says.

“Tristan’s right. Get your feelings in check and focus on the mission. Alex, do you have the codes or not?” I ask angrily.

“Y-yes.” Alex squeaks.

I hear a chuckle. “He thinks he’s right for Anna but he can’t even talk to her properly.” Brock says.

“Brock, not now. We’ll talk later.” I say.

“Is that a promise?” He asks.

“Yes, now back to the mission. Alex? What are the codes?” I ask, not really paying attention to Brock.

Alex mumbles a few incoherent words before giving me the codes. Connor and I walk into the room and sigh in relief when we notice that no one else is in here.        There are two rows of each kind of weapon that they own.

“I’ll take one side, you take the other. Look for something unique. Something that’s different from our usual weapons.” Connor says.

I nod and start going down the long row of weapons. Some are small while others are huge. I stop for a moment to look at one weapon but realize it’s just a grenade launcher. As soon as I get to the end of the row, I turn to Connor who just finished his side.

“Nothing seems off about any of them.” I say.

“Same over here. Maybe they’re still working on the weapon but there should at least be a prototype here or something.” Connor says.

“Or maybe the men meant for Jason to hear about a secret weapon but there really wasn’t one.” I suggest.

Connor gives me a confused look.

“Why would they do that?” He asks.

“Because maybe they were going to let him go and get back to us and make us believe that they had an advantage to scare us.” I say.

“But what if they knew that we knew that they were bluffing?” Connors asks.

I think for a moment. I look around and then it dawns on me. My eyes go wide as I look around and realize there isn’t any guard around. Not much security even though this place has all the weapons the army needs. Connor looks at me with a confused expression.

“Brock! Gale! Tristan! Get the hell out of there. IT’S A TRAP!” I yell into the mic.

Just as the words escape me, the mic makes a static sound. I take off my ear piece and throw it on the ground.

“Dammit!” I yell.

“I see you called my bluff, Miss General.” A voice says.

I try to find the source but then a man comes out from the shadows and steps a few meters away from us.

“Who the hell are you?” I growl.

“Just someone who is very interested in you. The first girl to have come into the army and to even have such a high position as a General. I’m very curious about you, Anna.” He says with a sly smile.

I shiver as he says my name. Before I have time to respond, the man turns to Connor.

“Ah, Connor. It’s really too bad that you would betray your father and your country.” The man looks back at me. “But then again, it’s understandable with such an interesting specimen.”

“I’m not betraying my country! I’m trying to save everyone!” Connor yells at the man.

The man laughs as he glares at Connor.

“How is killing your countries men and making this war last longer and having the people suffer helping them?” He asks.

Connor doesn’t say anything as he thinks about what the man said. The man then turns to me and smirks.

“Oh Anna, I meant to ask you. You have a younger sister don’t you?” The man asks.

I freeze, being caught off guard.

“Why does that-”

“Because I heard that my men just destroyed your town, along with your sister.” The man’s grin widens. “Your sister’s name is Cassy, correct?”

My whole body freezes as his words sink in. My mind goes blank for a second before all hell breaks loose. So many things are going through my mind as I try to comprehend what the man just said. Cassy. He killed Cassy. Cassy died because I wasn’t there. I wasn’t there to protect her. It’s just like Kelsey. I promised I wouldn’t let it happen again but again it did. It happened again. No matter how hard I try, I always fail to protect my loved ones. I failed Kelsey. I failed Cassy. I failed. I failed. I FAILED.

I hear shouting and gunfire but my mind can’t comprehend anything. I’m too shocked to do anything. There’s nothing left to live for. What’s the point when the one thing I promised to protect has been taken away from me? What am I supposed to do now? How can I live in this world knowing I screwed up yet again?

I feel myself being pushed to the ground as more gunfire goes off. I look up a little to see Connor looking at me with a horrified look. I notice blood on me but realize it’s not mine. I look back at Connor and realize what he did. He pushed me out of the way and got shot in the process. Connor just protected me. Again, I’m failing at protecting everyone. What is wrong with me? I just bring death with me.

I see as Connor falls to his knees and before I can do anything, Brock swoops in and catches him. I still don’t move as Gale and Tristan defend Brock and let him leave with Connor. Tristan comes over to me and picks me up bridal style. My mind is still in chaos so I just stare off into space as Tristan carries me to the helicopter. I don’t feel anything. I feel numb. Emptiness. Loneliness. The word FAIL keeps crossing my mind and I can’t seem to stop blaming myself for Kelsey and Cassy. It’s never going to stop. The people I care about will keep dying around me and there’s nothing I can do about it. Please, someone, tell me what to do. Because I can’t do anything anymore.

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I actually got a little sad at the end there. I'm a little upset with myself but I know where I'm going with this in the next chapter so hopefully I'll upload soon. Also, thanks to the people who let me know if they were actually enjoying my story. It really means a lot to me and I hope you will continue to enjoy my story.