Blitz Protocol (part 1)

A black VTOL aircraft soared across the night sky as it made its way towards the Bavarian Alps. It was reminiscent of a cargo plane, just smaller, and with rotating thrusters on the wings. Its body was completely black except for the blue lightning bolt that ran along each side. The craft was known by its team as the Nachtvogel. At the controls, sat Erika Schlödder, keeping her eyes dead ahead on the horizon whilst monitoring its many screens.

“Contact ahead, 5 kilometres.” She said into her headset.

“How close can you get us?” Andreus Schmidt, the team leader replied.

“There's a clearing 3 kilometres from the site; we'll have to go the rest on foot.” Erika said.

“A midnight walk through a Bavarian Forest. Either the recipe for a good time or trash time.” Emma Jaye said, slinging her rifle over her shoulder.

“We're not here to have a good time, Emma. We need to find what's making these pulses.” Hans Hilton said.

“Lighten up a bit Hans. It could be nice.” Dutch Tudyk said, trying to reattach his scope.

“Yes. Think about it, walking under the trees. Emma telling us nonsense stories. Maybe you could even get Erika to hold your hand Dutch.” Wess Haber, the last member of the team said. Dutch went red and Emma chuckled.

“Alright everyone, hang on, we're going in.” Erika said over the interphone as Nachtvogel entered a tight turn.

Once on the ground the team disembarked and readied their weapons and shovels. Andreus pulled out a device which measured electronic pulses and fired it up. Immediately an anomaly appeared ahead. He motioned to the team to move out, and they began the long track through the forest.

“Eyes open everyone. If we've found this thing, I'm sure Blitzkrieg knows it's here too.” Andreus said.

“Great, last thing we want is that madman crashing our party.” Emma interjected.

They continued until they were on top of the anomaly. “Contact below. Now to start digging.” Wess said.

“You ladies sit back and relax. I'm sure we can handle this.” Dutch said to Erika and Emma, causing them both to chuckle.

“How gentlemanly, what'd say, Emma? Should we sit back and let the boys do the work?” Erika smirked.

“Sounds like a good idea. How long do you think... Oh, shoot!” She swung her rifle forwards as something large and metal began moving through the trees.

“Automatons! Guns up, stay sharp, strike fast!” Andreus said, drawing his own rifle.

A blast of energy ripped through the trees and struck the ground causing an explosion. The team immediately ducked for cover as six large metal robots moved closer. “Hopefully Blitzkrieg didn't anticipate for movement in small places.” Dutch say, readying a grenade. “Fire in the hole!” He threw it, and it landed near the closest Automaton. Before it could react, the grenade went off, blowing it to pieces. The others darted from their cover and opened fire. Their ammunition struck the metal hunks, puncturing armour and snapping wires. The Automatons soon returned fire, beams of energy firing from their hands. The team dodged and ducked away from each attack before firing back. Finally, two Automatons fell to the ground.

“I count another three; Emma, do you think you can handle them?” Andreus asked.

Emma smirked. “Luckily I come ready for such an occasion.” She reached back to the quiver on her back, pulling out a rod with an explosive charge. She armed it, then threw it at the nearest Automaton. It pierced the machine's body before detonating, blowing it to pieces. “Covering fire!” Hans yelled, firing at the last two. They slowly turned his way as Emma darted out, arming two more charges. “That's one.” She stabbed one into the closest’s foot. “And two.” She stabbed the last in the second’s leg. Then she stopped and pulled out a detonator. “And boom!” She triggered it, taking both down. The first seized function, but the second still moved, though struggling. Wess stopped it with a few bullets in its CPU.

“Do you really have to say that every time?” Hans said.

“It's my trademark.” She replied.

“Good news, those things seemed to have blasted the whatever-it-is out of the ground.” Erika said. “Seems like you chaps won't be doing any digging. Sorry Emma, guess we didn't get to sit back and relax.”

Wess put a glove on before reaching for the device. It looked like a metal tablet, with strange carvings on it. On the back was a sort of connect point. Dutch came over to him with a case and opened it. Wess put it in and then locked the case.

“What is it?” Dutch asked.

“Seemed like a control panel of sorts. Let's get back to Nachtvogel before more of Blitzkrieg's abominations show up.” Wess said.

“Agreed, let's move out.” Andreus called.

The journey back seemed much quicker, though this time everyone was on high alert. Soon they broke into the clearing, the Nachtvogel just across it. However, opposite the craft was a helicopter. The team didn't notice it at first until they were well into the clearing.

“Going somewhere?” a woman said, stepping off. The team turned to see her pointing an unknown type of weapon at them with a smirk on her face. Wess blinked then rubbed his eyes upon seeing her.

“Mercy?!” he exclaimed, a bit confused. Mercy Braun just chuckled. “I'm just as surprised to see you Wess.” Mercy turned a dial on her weapon, a Concussion Blaster, and it hummed to life. “Look at you. Are these your new friends?” She remarked.

“What are you doing here?” Wess said, very confused.

“Wait, you two know each other? What is she? Girlfriend, hateful ex?” Emma asked.

“Read the room Emma, now is not the time.” Hans said.

“Look, this doesn't have to be messy. Just hand it over peacefully and let me go. No-one has to get hurt.” Mercy said, lowering the Concussion Blaster slightly.

“Listen here. You don't know what this is, neither do we. It needs to be safely locked away.” Andreus said.

“I know what it is. A means of salvation to this planet. You have five seconds to drop your weapons. Four. Three. Two. One!” She raised the Concussion and it charged with energy. The team scattered as she pulled the trigger. A blast like a sound wave rippled through the area, kicking up dirt as it did. With a smirk, Mercy stepped forwards. Dutch, Erika and Andreus broke cover and fired at her, but missed. She fired back, the blasts ripping the trees from the ground, but the three got away. Hans ran at her from her left flank. She turned, hitting him with the Blaster. He stumbled, then punched her straight in the face. The force knocked her back, and she dropped the Blaster. She looked him dead in the eye and charged. She struck him in the gut then the face. He staggered back.

“Not so tough are you; Soldier Boy?” she said, thrust kicking him over.

“Drop it, Mercy!” Wess yelled aiming his gun at her.

She smiled. “I know you Wess, you won't pull the trigger on a former friend.” With that she grabbed the Concussion Blaster and fired at him. The blast hit him, knocking him off his feet and into the dirt. But it left no damage at all. She then turned to Dutch, who was making a run to the Nachtvogel. Behind him was Erika. Mercy took aim and fired on them. The blast hit Erika first, knocking her into Dutch and they both hit the ground.

Mercy dropped the Concussion Blaster, pulled out a side arm and ran towards them. Andreus fired at her, but she fired back, causing him to duck behind cover.

“Hey crazy!” Emma yelled from behind. Mercy turned only to be met by Emma's first. Mercy stumbled and smiled.

“You saw me beat up your friend there, don't think I'll go easy on you because you're a girl.” she said.

“I wouldn't expect anything else; I like a challenge.” Emma said before charging forwards. She swung at Mercy's face again, but this time Mercy dodged. Mercy grabbed her by the shoulders before thrusting her knee into Emma's stomach. Behind her, Andreus came running in. Mercy, still holding Emma, spun around and pushed her back, sending her stumbling into the oncoming Andreus; who didn't have time to stop before colliding with her.

Mercy simply wiped her hands before heading over to Dutch and Erika. They had just gotten to their feet and raised their hands to fight. Mercy stopped and gestured for them to come at her. They did. Erika swung a wide hook. But at the last moment Mercy ducked, causing her to punch Dutch in the face. He fell backwards and Mercy kicked Erika back. Then she pointed her side arm at Dutch, stepped on his arm and pried the case with the alien tech from his hands.

“Thanks Blitz. And here I thought I'd have to get my hands dirty.” she said.

She ran for her helicopter, grabbing the Concussion Blaster on the way.

“Mercy stop!” Wess yelled, lunging in from the side and tackling her down. She landed on her back and he pinned her down. “Mercy, I know you and this isn't you.” he said.

“Wrong Wess. You thought you knew me.” With that, she kicked him in the stomach, forcing him off her. Then got to her feet, gathered the case and weapon before boarding the helicopter. “So long Blitz! You don't yet realise it, but this is for the greater good! Until we meet again!” she called as the helicopter took off and vanished.

The team got up, battered and bruised. Dutch's noses was bleeding from when Erika accidentally punched him.

“Who in the world was that Wess?” Andreus asked.

“Mercy Braun. She was in the MAD when I was a cadet in the army. We were friends; she taught me a lot.” Wess replied.

“Where'd she learn to fight like that? We all just got our butts handed to us on a silver platter.” Dutch said, wiping his bleeding nose.

“She's done a lot of fighting styles, even mastered some. She's also skilled with computers, weapons, planning, almost everything.”

“Sounds like a real character this girlfriend of yours.” Emma said.

“Let's get this straight, Mercy is not my girlfriend, never was, never will be.” Wess said.

“Sure, sure.” Emma replied, not convinced.

“We need to get back to base and let Richter know things went sideways.” Andreus said as the group began boarding the Nachtvogel.

Kilometres away, the helicopter came towards a facility hidden in the mountains. Mercy pulled out a flip-phone and pressed dial. “Yes Agent Braun?” a voice said on the other side.

“For the last time don't call me that. And you'll be glad to know that I have the device.” she replied.

“Excellent. Soon we'll be ready to launch my new weapon then first Germany, then Europe and the world will bow to Doctor Blitzkrieg.” the voice replied.

Blitz Militärbasis B

On the surface the base looked like any other military base coupled with an airfield. Hangers for aircraft, motor pools for artillery and vehicles, barracks and offices for personnel, but it was all for show. It was below ground where the true military operations were taking place, hidden from anyone outside of Blitz. As Nachtvogel approached, one of the hanger’s roofs opened and the VTOL carefully lowered into it. Erika shut off the engines and the floor began to lower into the main hanger below. Once it settled, the beaten and bruised team got out.

“I have to report this to Richter. You all rest up, but be ready. We don’t know when we will have to mobilise again.” Andreus said, exiting the hanger. He began through the base towards an office. He knew Richter would not be there, but he was bound to go back there soon. As Andreus reached the door, Franz Richter, the current leader of Blitz, came walking down the hallway. Andreus stood at attention and saluted.

“I am not in my office yet Andreus, no need for such formalities.” Richter said, saluting back. They both entered the office. “I got the signal that the mission was a failure. How bad was it?” Richter asked, standing behind his desk.

“We encountered a rogue agent. She bested us all and made off with whatever it was we were after. We do not know if she is solo, working for Blitzkrieg or another faction.” Andreus said.

“Hmmm. I see why this is concerning. I will alert Steinmeier to this and as a precaution plant some of our agents at the Bundespräsidialamt just in case. Keep your channel open and have your team ready in case I have to contact you.”

“Consider it done, Sir.” Andreus said.

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