(Chapter 1) Thunderbolt

Mission report (deducted)

Operation Thunderbolt

Operation Thunderbolt initiated at 0800 during (deducted) on the island of (deducted). Joint forces of the 116th mobile infantry and the 256th marine corps. Lead by Major Jacques Enfield and Major Frederic Enfield, they broke through the first line of defense on the shores while a Venetor class battleship provided naval artillery fire on the enemy fort. 0900 - the 116th separated from formation and took on the more heavily defended left flank while the 256th raided a trench line inside sector D in front of the fort. The enemy faught teeth to teeth to try and push back our forces but were pushed back by Major Federic and his men. 0950 - a salvo was requested on sector C which is directly on the fort, this was then followed by a danger close salvo on sector D which lead to the annihilation of both the 256th and the remaining enemy defenders who commenced a suicide charge. 1200 - the enemy fort was captured but it was a dark day after the loss of the 256th.

"And it says here that you, Mister Straüss, was the only one to survive from the 256th, correct?" The old man said from a raised podium.

"Yes, that is correct General..." Hilbert said from the witness stand.

"May I ask one more thing? Who ordered the salvo on sector D?" He inquired.

"Major Frederic Enfield, and I quote "If I'm gonna die, I'll take all of them down with me" before requesting clearance to the danger close salvo." Hilbert stated as he clenched his fists.

Hilbert left once the court hearing was completed and he was driven back to a private facility that was run by the the infamous Doctor Fenrich Basch. Once they entered through the heavily guarded gates, they were escorted towards a small city replica inside the facility. Hilbert was given an injection of a mysterious fluid before he was left inside the gates.

"Oh no! My little babies!" Hilbert exclaimed as he ran down the dirt road towards the town frantically.

"I hope Jacques fed them some fish." Hilbert said as he ran to his house and opened the doors. "I'm home now babies! Did Jacques feed you before leaving earlier?" He added as he picked up one of the kittens and gave it a kiss.

Hilbert gathered the kittens into their small cage and poured some milk in their bowl. He felt relaxed now that he was back home with his pet kittens to keep him company. He stayed beside their cage for hours and played with them till they all fell asleep. He smiled at the sight of the adorable kittens deep in their slumber before he stood up and walked to the living room that was covered in trash and vandals on the walls made by Hilbert himself. He plopped down on the couch and stretched his arms before yawning and falling asleep.

Hilbert woke up the next day to loud knocks on his door. He sluggishly walked to the door to see who it was and to his surprise, it was Jacques.

"Hilbert, get dressed because the doctor called for you." The tall brunette said as he leaned down in front of Hilbert.

"Major? Come in first, take a seat." Hilbert replied as he pulled the door open. "Would you like anything to drink? I have milk and water in the fridge." He added.

"Some milk will do, by the way...how are the kittens?" Jacques said as he followed Hilbert into the dining room.

"They sleep so soundly, Flauros sleeps in a weird position as well which is adorable." Hilbert said before giggling and handing Jacques a cup of milk.

"Have you drank your medicine yet? You haven't been skipping days, have you?" Jacques asked as he took a sip of the milk.

"Oh yes! I was just about to." Hilbert exclaimed right as he grabbed a bottle of pills and drank one.

"I see that you've got yourself some company." Jacques points at the kittens.

"I found them in the streets, I thought I'd give them a home and a family of sorts." He smiled before looking back at Jacques.

"The doctor asked me to bring you to him, seems like you have another mission." Jacques stated before chugged the milk down.

Flashbacks of the doctor's experiments replayed in Hilbert's mind along with the pain it brought him. He grew weak and pale, trembling in fear when he was suddenly startled by Jacques patting his shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'll be there with you for the entire time." Jacques said before picking up his coat.

"I-I see...that's a promise, right?" Hilbert asks.

"Yes, it's a promise." Jacques reached his hand out and held Hilbert's.

Hilbert smiled and nodded before standing up and taking his coat. Jacques walked to the door and looked back as Hilbert walked out before closing the door.

"Are we off to the laboratory, sir?" The driver asked Jacques.

Jacques nodded before getting in the back seat with Hilbert. Hilbert watched as the car began to drive down the road towards the gates of the walled city. His mind wandered as he stared out of the car window. Jacques opened up a folder with Hilbert's health records and several other classified documents. He read through the surgeries performed on Hilbert and was horrified to know how inhumane the procedures were.

"The government approved of this...?" Jacques mumbled quietly.

"Hmm? Did you say anything, major?" Hilbert turned and asked.

"N-nothing...I didn't say anything." Jacques replied before closing the folder and placing it beside him on the seat.

Hilbert shrugged it off before his mind once wandered off to the scenery outside the window. His mind went blank and he started muttering incomprehensible words. The car drove past the gates and down the countryside and through a road that pierced through a wooded area. The scenery can only be what described as breathtaking and vast, the road that leads deeper through the forest by the foot of the mountain and comes out the other side to reveal a facility hidden deep in the mountains.