NationStates Jolt Archive

[OOC: Yes, I am a Bleach freak. Which is why you will probably recall (if you watch Bleach) several names from this thread]

Part I - The Beginning

How it happened, I cannot say. I do recall that warm summer day, however. The day when it all started. I remember clearly. The sun was shining perfectly off the waters of the sunken city of Hivez...

Here, on this dirty stretch of land, the Military Council had assembled the Four Great Families: Daniels, Malone, Macker, and Fortstall. The Military Council had proposed a monarch for the nation, and it only made sense. These Families were already revered enough to be considered royalty.

And so, on that warm summer day. On July 10, 2192. One hundred years after the formation of our Federation, the continent, and all her protectorates... the "Empire of Death" as our nation was called...would again be engulfed in neverending violence.

July 10, 2092
14:00

It was in the West Wing of the former Presidential Palace. The East Wing had been submerged, and the West Wing was the only part of the complex not affected by flooding.

Inside the Grand Hall, originally meant for the Supreme Council, several members from the Great Families were gathered. Along with the Military Council: Commander General Sousuke Aizen. Supreme Admiral Gin Ichimaru. And General of the Skies Kaname Tōsen.

They were seated higher than the others. A clear insult. The current Head of the Daniels House was always to be seated highest in any such meeting, as they held the purest blood.

"If, you would explain to us what this is about, Aizen, I would appreciate it. Such a meeting would be a waste of time if we did not accomplish anything." piped up Vincent Daniels, 2nd in line to the Head of the Daniels House, behind his mother (the current Head), as well as the current President of the Federation.

"You have no such time to waste. For you cannot possibly become Emperor of this Great Nation!"

Emperor. That word alone had changed everything. The wiser, older members of every house were not fazed by the prospect of power. They had had their fill in life, and had learned how to manage their influence positively. The younger generations, however, snarled at their elders and younger siblings, as well as members of other Familes. They instantly went power mad. The sign of the fragile state of the human mind.

"Calm down everyone... only the purest of Great Blood can grant you the post of Emperor... And such an appointment does not need approval from Congress either, as Vuhifell is in a time of war, we, the Military Council, may now exercise all capacities of government."

"Then why can't I get the title!?" asked Vincent.

"Because. Your mother has the purest blood of anyone here in this room. Your father may have the name Daniels, but he has the blood of a Malone, and would be 13th in line for the position of Emperor...well, Mrs. Daniels? Do you accept?"

She touched her breast, and looked at her husband. The look in his eyes told her to deny the position. It would bring calamity to them all...

If only she had listened.

"I do accept..."

"Excellent...well then, this meeting is concluded. We just have one more agenda in our conference..." said Aizen in a calm voice.

"What would that be?" asked Joseph Fortstall, the only surviving heir to the Fortstall name, and son of former dictator Howard Fortstall.

"To die..."

The shots rang out. Bullet casing after bullet casing hit the floor. The "ping pang" of bullets ripping through flesh and bouncing off marble walls. The distinct sound of a spent cartridge hitting the floor. A bullet ripped through Patrick Daniels' shoulder, sending him sideways, another ripped through his neck. Had he not been modified as a supersoldier earlier on in his life, he would have died right there...

July 10, 2092
19:00

Workers began to dump the bodies in the Hivezian Bay. One after the other, Royal Blood met cold, salty sea. Gaining consciousness underwater, Patrick Daniels was barely able to make out the faces of some of those he considered dear to him...and close friends...

His son was dead...but he had never really loved Vincent...he was a power hungry fascist at heart, Vincent was...

Michelle Macker III was dead, her lips a few inches from his. A bullet hole in her left temple. His father...His father was dead. Avery Malones had blood oozing slowly out of his mouth and eyes, part of a bullet was still lodged in his father's neck...

And...no! No! No!!

Alicia! John Paul! Daniel! His wife. His brother. His nephew. All were underneath the water. All were clumped to one another.

No! No! No!

His mind snapped. At that instant he thought nothing but killing. Going back to the way he used to be without Alicia. The most ruthless killing machine the continent has ever seen...

But then it sunk in... Even if he managed to kill one, the others would kill him. And Aizen and the others would be long gone by now... The bastards... They were planning this from all along...

No! He wouldn't allow this to go unavenged... He would... He would...

'He would' were the last thoughts of Patrick Daniels, before he drifted slowly back into unconsciousness, and drifted out to the open sea.

July 11, 2092

Commander General Aizen had appeared before the continent in the Presidential Palace in New Hivez now... to deliver his speech to the Vuhifellian people...

My fellow citizens...

At 14:00 yesterday afternoon, forces directly under my control murdered all members of every House of the Four Great Families. There will be no monarchy. And the world now knows, even the Great Families can die. I, from this point on, along with Supreme Admiral Gin Ichimaru and General of the Skies Kaname Tōsen shall comprise the government of the continent. The Congress is to be disbanded immediately. And the Military Council shall write a new constitution. This is the beginning of a new, glorious day for the Great Vuhifellian Empire! No one in the history of mankind has ever united the Four Great Continents from which our Great Families Hail: Vuhifell. Anea. Aurelia. And Leasath. Now, the time has come for a man to rise and fill the unbearable vacancy that has been on that throne. And I shall be that man!

(OOC: This post was compilated with TVS' permission)

Aboard the ZMS Dunkerque

The Dunkerque, a Bay-class LPD built for the Van Luxemburgian Marine Grand-Ducale by Freethinker Defense Industries, was returning from a visit to Vuhifell Naval Station, where it performed some small-scale exercises, and where the crew was allowed to rest. It's next destination would be it's home port, ending a 3-month cruise along Kreuzbadinsel, Wingarde, and now Vuhifell. It's crew was excited to return home again, where they had been promised a 2-month leave. However, sailing the last leg of the trip didn't meant they were less alert; several sailors skimmed the horizon with binoculars, in order to check for any possible threat. It was highly unlikely there were, since the Grand Duchy wasn't at war, nor in a situation in which they could be attacked at any time.

The ship moved along at a leisurely 16 knots, it being the standard cruising speed of the ship. Most sailors, aswell as pilots, were having a nap, or in the mess, where a movie was played over the large projection screen hanging from one of the walls. Not much was going one, and the last two months had also been fairly uneventful. Matroos der 1e Klasse Gabriele Pagnotto was observing how the waves slowly passed by the ship, before putting his pair of binoculars to his eyes again. He was however distracted from his job by the Vuhifellian coastline, which would be the last bit of land they would see before arriving in Van Luxemburg again. Against orders of his captain, he used the binoculars to get a clear view of the coastline, so he could enjoy the view of land even more. A fishing boat passed by, probably on it's way to their fishing spot. Somewhat past the fishing boat, a yacht slowly came their way. Those people were enjoying the sea, Pagnotto thought. He was here purely for his job. He had long since thought of quitting the Marine Grand-Ducale, but he never did it.

Gabriele moved the binoculars again. This time, the strong Zeiss 10x40 Binoculars focused on an object in the water, which slowly floated along. Gabriele tried to bring the image closer, in which he succeeded. Now, he could clearly see a person in the water, floating along with the tides. Since he wasn't sure, he warned another sailor by tapping him on the shoulder, which made the other sailor turn towards him.

'Can you verify what I'm seeing at 2 o'clock, at a range of 3 kilometres?'

'I could try to. A minute.'

The Korporaal turned around completely, aiming his pair of binoculars in the same direction. It took him a few seconds to adjust and look for what Pagnotto mentioned, but found it aswell.

'Seems like someone's in the water there. I'll call the captain.'

The Corporal turned around, and made a short shout.

'Captain! Seems like there's someone in the water over there!'

Captain Levi Strömberg picked up his set of binoculars - a Zeiss 20x60 - and walked over to the two men, and aimed his binoculars aswell. The powerful pair immediately stabilised at the targeted spot, and the captain also verified that there was someone in the water. He returned back to his console, this time running, to contact the flight deck.

'Flight Deck, Bridge here. Start SAR operations on given coordinates. Bridge out.'

'Acknowledged, Bridge. Coordinates received.'

On the flight deck, several alarm bells sounded. Quickly after the first alarm, a team of five airmen reported to the flight deck, their helmets in hand. After receiving their mission details and coordinates, the airmen ran on to their helicopter, an NHindustries NH-90 parked on the flight deck. half a minute after the crew had manned the helicopter, it had left the flight deck. The NH-90 was equipped for SAR duties, and included a winch, which was now attached to one of the crewmembers, so he could pick up the person.

It took the crew aboard the helicopter only a few minutes to reach the place pinpointed by Pagnotto, where it could see the man, who was clearly unconscious. The winchman lowered the crewmember attached to the winch, so he would be hanging just above the ocean. He was lowered even further, so he hit the cold water, and could attach the man to the stretcher that had been sent down with him. As the crewmember had loaded the man on the stretcher, he made a quick hand signal to the winchman, which quickly winched him up, back to the helicopter. The stretcher was released from the winch, and so was the crewmember who had picked the man up.

Meanwhile, the doctor of the SAR helicopter went to work on the man, who had supposedly drowned. However...

'Unconscious. Light to no pulse. wounds in neck and shoulder. Possibly bullet wounds. Intubation and AED. Warn the sickbay aboard the Dunkerque!'

While the copilot called up the Dunkerque to ready the sickbay for a possibly heavily wounded person, the winchman, who was also the emergency doctor's assistant, took out the intubation equipment, and installed the AED, after dropping off the intubation equipment with the doctor. While the AED began giving off electrical pulses in order to stop the heart from fibrillating, the patient was intubated to make sure he could breathe properly.

While the doctor and his assistant were busy trying to keep the patient alive, the helicopter gently touched down on the helideck of the Dunkerque, like a giant insect. A medical team was already standing by, and the patient was quickly removed from the helicopter and hurried to the sickbay aboard the LPD. He would undergo surgery, so it was unclear if he would make it.

Two hours later, several people were waiting in the ward, which was completely empty during this trip, until a doctor would report if surgery had been succesful or had failed. Suddenly, the door opened, and a single doctor stepped out.

'Ladies and Gentlemen, please, there's nothing to see here. Surgery has been succesful, and this man will be travelling home with us for observation. We have no idea who he is, or why he almost drowned. He will be moved to the ward in a few minutes, so could you please leave the ward, the patient needs to rest.'

The group of about ten sailors walked away from the ward, and Patrick Daniels, of which nobody really had an idea of his identity, was transported onto the ward. He was connected to some medical equipment, and was still under narcosis, so doctors left him alone. Finally, all returned to normal on the ZMS Dunkerque.

[OOC: Argh. Just great. Right when I've got exams...or at least real near to the real deal of the IGCSE. Oh well, tagged this thread has been.]

Aboard the ZMS Dunkerque

His eyes were blank, staring at nothing. In a matter of a few seconds he had lost everything in his life. Everything he ever cared for was gone. Everyone he ever loved was dead. Pretty soon his former squadmates living in Arlon would be killed off too...

"I never had a future to begin with...they're all dead....all of them...Alicia...John Paul...Dad..." Once an invincible killing machine, Patrick was vulnerable now, clearly on the verge of collapsing into tears.

"What's left for me now? Nothing...Humans are nothing but lumps of flesh..."

With this, he passed out again, not from physical pain or injury, but for the longing...to die.

Eastern Peninsula of the Leasath Continent
The Nations of Montador and Craen

Aizen's forces pushed across the Straits of Farbanti and made a furious landing on the beaches of Montador. The Mondorian military, alike in Aizen's policies, had never expected the sleeping Vuhifellian giant to ever awaken...

Within hours, the capital of Griuken was in Vuhifellian hands, and the sky began to blacken... not from darkness... but from airplane frames...over 1,000 bombers, fighters, and interceptors poured over the airspace of Montador, on their way to reduce Craen to rubble. The drone of thousands of helicopters could be heard in the distance.

The sun refused to come out. And the world would stay in darkness for quite a time...

ZMS Dunkerque, Three weeks later

During the trip from Vuhifell to Van Luxemburg, Patrick had muttered some more times, things the doctors couldn't understand. It seemed random things, although almost poetical, but his muttering made no sense at all. When he wasn't talking to himself, he was unconscious, or he was staring at the white, empty ceiling. He was occasionally visited by the Medical staff, since he didn't require any food to be cooked fresh, as he was fed through a tube, because he was unconscious for most of the time.

However, today would be different. Early in the morning, the aircrew that had saved him reported to the sickbay, complete with a stretcher. As he was carefully lifted onto it, the pilot of the helicopter got his instructions, and the copilot the correct radio frequencies. After everything was clear and ready, he was taken towards the NH-90 which had saved him, and he was loaded aboard. The helicopter slowly took off, and made a fly-by past the ship's superstructure. The planning was to take Patrick to the Erasmus Universitary Medical Center in Rotterdam, to recover from his near-drowning, three weeks ago, since he still wasn't found completely O.K. by the doctors.

The helicopter quickly passed over the sea, reaching land within five minutes. It went on across land for another ten minutes, past villages and treetops, before the NH-90 finally slowed down, and touched down on the helideck of the Erasmus Medical Center, where a group of medical staff was already standing by to take the patient to his room in the hospital. Patrick was quickly unloaded from the helicopter, which took off moments later, when the medical staff, and the stretcher, had vanished inside the building.

Inside the hospital, he was quickly taken to his room, where he was laid on a standard hospital bed, and attached to the medical systems, so he could be observed. One of the doctors, Hans Kaspers, watched as assistants attached the last few wires to the patients' body.

'Let's see... Unknown male, in his fifties, nearly drowned and rescued by a SAR team in Vuhifell. Has been mainly unconscious for weeks. Sometimes seems to mutter names and the like.'

Hans walked up to the bed, where he examinated the patient. It was all the same as descripted. But suddenly, he looked over the man's face, and a feeling of recognition overcame him.

'Damnit. Patrick Malone!'

Kaspers had a military background, and had fought with the Armoured Troops in Vuhifell. After the military, he got himselves a job at the Erasmus MC, but he didn't expect to see Patrick Daniels, formerly Patrick Malone, here. He was delighted to see him, and he thought the Grand Duke would be aswell. As he got his cellphone from his pocket, he took the lift down to the main entrance, before dialing the Government Information Number.

'Government Information, how can we help you?' A friendly female voice on the other side sounded.

'Goodafternoon, You're speaking with Doctor Hans Kaspers, Erasmus Medical Centrum. I would like to speak with the Grand Duke's office.'

'Ehm, I can try to put you through to the Grand Duke's office. What are you calling for?' The voice answered.

'Say it's about the Vuhi-Kazach war.' Kaspers said, in a bright moment.

'Errm, Okay. One moment, please.'

A monotone beeping awaited Kaspers, until another voice, this time male, answered the phone.

'Office of the Grand Duke, Secretary Office, how can I help you?'

'Goodafternoon, You're speaking with Doctor Hans Kaspers, Erasmus Medical Centre. Could you please report something to the Grand Duke for me?'

'That should be possible, sir. I'll note it for you.'

'Okay. Here we go. A few minutes ago, an unknown Vuhifellian patient was brought in here, from the ZMS Dunkerque, which picked it up three weeks ago in Vuhifell. His identity is unknown, but I think he's Patrick Malone'

'How come you think that, sir?'

'I've been fighting in the Vuhi-Kazach War. Armoured Corps. Colonel Hans Kaspers, 13 Armoured Division, 4th Brigade, HQ Troop, Medical Department. I've met Patrick Malone a few times. That's the last time I've seen him, but I still recognise him.'

'I'll put your message through to His Majesty. Bye, sir.'

'Thanks for your time. Bye.'

Disconnected.

Amsterdam

Kieth and Michelle Brockman were on a vacation in Van Luxemburg when they had heard the news of Aizen's takeover, and had rented an apartment aside from their hotel. When General Aizen had announced to the world he had murdered the Great Families, it hit both of them especially hard. Patrick was Kieth's life-long friend, and the Brockman's had served in EBG Squad 49 together with John Paul, Alicia, and Patrick during the war.

Kieth sat by the window, watching traffic go by. His wife was on their bed, reading an issue of the Laurasus Times.

Laurasus Times

August 2, 2092

New Hivez - General Aizen has announced he will suspend current military campaigns in Aurelia if the Union of Yuktobanian Republics pledges its support in defeating Anean rebel factions. While, at this point, General Aizen controls all of Vuhifell and Anea, half of Leasath, and a small portion of Aurelia, rebels continue to defy his rule nearly everywhere except in Vuhifell, where he is now regarded as a God...

"I'm sick of this, Kieth!" Michelle shouted.

"Huh?"

"How did Fortstall get defeated by our nation's right-minded peoples, when this Aizen character, who is much more evil, is invading and annexing entire continents!"

"It's because back when Fortstall tried to take power, A: The Great Families opposed him. And B: His military was weak. General Aizen is one brilliant man alright... He's murdered the Great Families so that no one will oppose him, and also, by killing the Great Families, he's established himself as Divine Being, at least in the eyes of our fellow Vuhifellians.

And the military has never been as strong. It's soldier are highly trained, equipped, and by now, battle hardened. It's leaders are veterans of countless wars... Aizen won't easily be brought down..." Kieth lamented the death of Patrick and Alicia, nevertheless, even if Squad 49 got back together to bring down this menace... It may be too late.

Rotterdam

Among those Squad 49 members in Van Luxemburg, a total of 30 of the original 58 were in the low countries. All of Squad 49 had been assembled into the same country, yet none of them knew it. Just four kilometers from Erasmus Medical Center, Dennis Perez and Suhkpreet Parmar were lecturing on the Kazach language in Erasmus University.

The entire Eureka dropship squadron was now working full time at various airports around the low countries. Among those who were not in Squad 49, those Knights of the Round Table who did not die in battle were now working undercover for the UPEO in Van Luxemburg, a part of APOLLO, the UPEO's anti-crime taskforce...

James Island
Northern Regions

And yet, even as the forces of democracy were regrouping and planning, Aizen's darkness completely engulfed Vuhifell.

In James Island, the Espada Guard was nearing completion. With armor five times the strength of MOLIGNAR and more synthetic organs in them than any of the former Squad 49 members, the Espada Guard were the ultimate soldiers. Near impenetrable armor, genetic enhancement, synthetic organs and flesh, and the indoctrination that General Sousuke Aizen was God, a man to sit at the throne at the top of the world....

No fighting force on Earth, Heaven, or Hell could rival them...

It was lucky that there were only ten...

Official Announcement from the Free Havenic Republic of Kahanistan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/kahanistan.jpg

While the Government of Kahanistan opposes the idea of a hereditary monarchy, murdering dozens of people for their ancestry and installing a corrupt, undemocratic military junta are crimes we cannot tolerate in an ally.

As much as I would like to cut off relations here and now, it is simply beyond my authority as Foreign Minister. However, I cannot see the Senate tolerating such a brutal act.

Signed,
Rachel C. Levitt,
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Grand-Ducal Palace, Luxembourg

The Aide knocked on the door, and the knock was quickly answered by a shout from behind it.

'Come in.'

The man stepped into the room, which more looked like a motoring garage. Several cars were parked in lines, with enough space one could work on them, without damaging the others. All were in different stages of repair, or restoration, and mechanics and technical crew were all assigned to one. On a car lift near the door, a 40-year old Ferrari 250 GTE was standing at lonely heights, and several mechanics were examining the chassis of the vehicle. The vehicle had been completely restored in the weeks before, from a wreckage recovered from a scrap yard to a vehicle that could win concourses, probably. Walking around the car was the Grand Duke, with an assistant , examining his new acquisition.

'And when do we start on the interior? It's sad I don't have that much time, otherwise I'd have helped you out. Maybe we could.... Oh, wait.' The Grand Duke was distratced by the aide, who was still standing at the door. He walked towards him, before asking what he wanted to say.

'How can I help you?' He used a friendly voice, to muffle his irritation about him being interrupted while being with his cars.

'We had a call from a doctor, Mr. Hans Kaspers, who reports that he has seen Patrick Malone in the Erasmus Medical Centre. He nearly drowned and was picked up by a ship of the VLM, three weeks ago, near Vuhifell.'

'You mean Daniels? How did he recognise him?'

'Kaspers was with the 13th Armoured Division, 4th Brigade, Medical troops.'

'Ah, right, he was there during the Vuhi-Kazach war. Well, try to reach other Squad 49 members. We're currently trying to comprehend what's going on in Vuhifell, and we can't get a hold of Alicia Daniels, and since I heard some Squad 49 members are giving lectures on universities in Van Luxemburg, better try to contact them. Try to reach every single Squad 49 member. Request the IVD to do the same. That should be it.'

The aide nodded, and walked out. Later that day, the IVD was at work with the Grand Duke's orders. Calls were going out to both Vuhifell and inside Van Luxemburg, to track the former Squad 49 members, and inform them about Patrick's accident and current location. Meanwhile, the Grand Duke personally had already taken a car from his private collection, this time a Citroën SM V6, and was on it's way to Rotterdam.

Amsterdam

Kieth's cell phone began to ring, and he allowed it to do so. His wife, however, wanted something positive, to raise the mood out of this constant hell hole for all Vuhifellians...

"Hello, Michelle Brockman speaking?"

"Hello, Mrs. Brockman?"

"Yes?"

"I'm an agent with the IVD, it would seem that a 'Patrick Daniels' is currently being held at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam after almost drowning in the Hivezian Bay. He was picked up by a Van Luxemburgian Navy Ship around three weeks ago..."

"Kieth!" she shouted, almost immediately hanging up the phone.

"Yes?"

She forced him out of his chair by the window and hugged him, before grabbing her car keys from the table.

"What's going on, Michelle?"

"It's Patrick! He's in Rotterdam! He's alive! Maybe Alicia is there too!"

"Could be! Let's go!"

The look of excitement was written plainly on Kieth's face. His best friend had survived Aizen's purge, and was only a few kilometers away... They would have so many questions when they got there...

Rotterdam

The IVD had also made similar calls to those former Squad 49 members who were also in the vicinity. Either working or lecturing, they were called to gather at Erasmus Medical Center. All of them, hearing of their former Lieutenant Colonel's situation, rushed to his aid.

Their cars swelled the parking lot, some hadn't seen each other in over a decade.

It was a somber reunion.

Former squad demolitions expert Dennis Perez was the first to arive. A tall, muscular, Hispanic man. He barged through the door and into the lobby as quickly as he could. Local passerby could hear him muttering "Chief. Chief. C'mon chief, you gotta' pull through." over and over again.

The hearts and minds and bodies and spirits of every former Squad 49 member, wheather living or deceased, were united that day. For here in this hospital lay EBG 117: The most fearsome warrior the world had ever known, in his most vulnerable and desperate hour. A man who earned the trust, friendship, and respect of everyone he encountered, even his enemies...

Blinded by bloodlust, Patrick knocked himself out into the peaceful, safe land of unconsciousness once again. The pain. He wanted to die. But he couldn't. He wanted to take as many people as he could with him. To just go on a killing rampage...to taste and smell blood once again. He wanted to be covered in it. He wanted to bathe in human blood and feast on flesh. As his duty in the past...

He had lost everyone and everything near and dear to him, and if it weren't for his injuries and the state of shock he was in for losing his entire family in front of his eyes...he would not be here. He would've killed everyone on that ship, just for the sake of killing them.

Such was the state of his mind...The mind of a Saint turned into the mind of a Demon...

Several Hours Later...

A single Citroën parked inside the parking garage at Erasmus MC. The vehicle was an old-timer, but was in perfect driving condition, thanks to the mechanics of the Grand-Ducal Palace. Thirty years ago, the vehicle was revolutionary. Front lights that illuminated curves when you turned the wheel to follow that curve. A Maserati V6 engine powered the French car, and had been completely restored to his former glory, so it still delivered the 170 HP to the front wheels, as advertised by Citroën in 1973. From the comfortable, soft seats, the Grand Duke rose out of the vehicle, before closing the door and locking the car. He quickly took the lift upstairs, and switched his cellphone off, as requested by the hospital staff. He walked towards the reception, to ask where Patrick Daniels would be. It would be just a matter of minutes before he could visit him, he hoped.

Behind him, another car entered the parking garage. A somewhat more modern Citroën, a C6 2.7 HDi, drove up next to the Citroën SM of the Grand Duke, and halted. The driver got out of the vehicle, and opened the rear door of the car, to allow the passenger to get out. While the passenger got out, he straightened his suit, and covered his head with his uniform pet. He was accompanied by a man in an Armani suit, which carried a small briefcase with him. Both were here to visit Daniels, since Squad 49 would be present. The uniformed man could be identified as Grootadmiraal Henk Eijsens, High Commander of the Navy, and the well-clothed man as Philippe Dermont, Minister of Defence of the Grand Duchy. The two men thanked their driver, but waited with heading upstairs. Seconds later, a VLT L6 entered the parking garage, and parked next to the two Citroëns. From the driver's seat, Per Lindstrom rose out of the vehicle, quickly saluting both men waiting for him. He locked his car, and the three also went inside, a minute behind the Grand Duke. Eventually the three joined up with the Grand Duke, at the reception. The receptionist asked the four men to get seated with the others wanting to visit Patrick Malone, by which he was known in the hospital, because the visiting hour had not yet started.

The four men got seated together with all the former Squad 49 members, which led to an uncomfortable situation in which it was all silent, and nobody said something.

The Brockman's were the last to arrive, a silver 2002 Chevy Impala was their choice of transportation. Everyone who wasn't in the low countries would be arriving later on in the day.

As soon as they parked their car in the parking lot, Kieth noticed a few...strange vehicles. But it did not matter, his wife stood readily at his side and they both entered at the same time, and it was a strange sight.

The total of Squad 49 members in the room now totalled 30, 31 if you included the last wish of EBG 99 to Kieth that the Grand Duke be instated as an honorary member. No one knew of this pact, however, only Kieth and his dead superior...

As soon as he entered, the other 28 members of the squad all stood up to face him and salute... It was strange, but a force of habit. Michelle lowered her arm, stating that a salute was not necessary...

"Guys...I may be your commanding officer...but...we still can't get a hold of Alicia or Avery...we're worried about them, and I bet Patrick is too, so, please, don't bring any of it up while we're up there..."

"Yes sir." they all replied simultaneously.

Kieth asked the receptionist where Patrick was located and led the group up the stairs, in Vuhifellian culture, taking the elevator to visit a comrade in the hospital was something looked down upon.

When they arrived at his room, Kieth motioned for everyone, even the Grand Duke, to stay outside...

"Please guys...can we get a moment alone?"

Most of them, even though they were concerned for their comrade, nodded. Kieth was probably the closest thing to family Patrick had at this moment. Kieth entered the room, and closed the door...

And when he was unconscious, Kieth began to prod him...

"Buddy." He whispered, while poking him, "Hey, pal. Wake the hell up. C'mon you lazy asshole, wake up."

Patrick sleepily regained consciousness...and tilted his head to the right...at that exact moment, his mind went black...

A large thud rang against the door. Alarms went off throughout the room indicating the patient was deceased. But Patrick wasn't dead. He was pinning Kieth against the door by his throat. His hands constricting air flow, his fingers working to snap his neck. The look in his eyes indicated nothing. No emotion. Nothing. Not the slightest drop of guilt, and yet here he was, killing his best friend and commanding officer...

The group was waiting outside the room, mostly hanging around the hallway, when a lot of stumbling inside Patrick's room broke the monotone sound of medical equipment at work. The Grand Duke and the Minister of Defence, aswell as the IVD director and the High Commander of the Marine, looked at eachother, but decided to just wait until they were called in. However, the Grand Duke was the first person who began to doubt their decision, after a few seconds.

'Any of you got your service pistols?' He asked to the three high-ranking officials, but all three shook their heads. The Minister never carried one, the Grootadmiraal had left his at the admiralty, and Lindstrom had left his one in his car. Moments later, Doctor Kaspers came running down the hallway, and attempted to open the door. However, it didn't open. It didn't matter how much force he used against the door, it wouldn't open. By that time, both Grootadmiraal Eijsens and Director Lindstrom had jumped up from their seats and tried to assist doctor Kaspers in his attempt to open the door. Finally, after a few moments, the door suddenly flew open and the three men fell into the room, where both Kieth and Patrick had been thrown back from the door. Patrick was still attempting to grab Kieth by his troath, but this was prevented by both the Grand Duke, who forcefully pulled Kieth out of the hospital room, and Minister Dermont, who held Patrick in a tight grip, trying to keep him from escaping. He was quickly aided by Lindstrom, which grabbed his legs, while Dermont kept his arms tight. Doctor Kaspers quickly looked over both Kieth and Patrick.

'It seems he suddenly woke up. was he with him?' he said, while pointing at Kieth.

'Yes, he was.' The Grand Duke commented, while still cleaning his poloshirt because of his rapid action.

'Very strange. I haven't seen this before. If you don't mind, I'll be observing him for now. Could you lay him back on his bed?'

Dermont and Lindstrom nodded, and put Patrick back on his bed. They were still standing by to grab Patrick by his arms and legs might he try to escape again, but nothing happened immediately after they returned him to his bed.

'Patrick Daniels, what the hell was that, mate? You almost killed Kieth!' the Grand Duke said, while he walked back into the room, after putting Kieth back on his legs and shaking the dust off his shirt.

Patrick didn't say anything, he simply looked over at the Grand Duke and smiled an evil smile. Staring with his green eyes, he looked into the eyes of everyone in the room and piereced their souls, saw the astonishment, the fear in Kieth's eyes set off a spark, got him addicted.

"Kieth, are you okay!?" asked Dennis.

There was silence, before Kieth turned to the doctor.

"I am willing to activate Section IV of the medical section of Patrick's contract with Foxtecha. Legally binding for life. Should Patrick fall ill and depend on life support machines for his survival...the commanding officer of the EBG soldier shall have authority over the status of life support..." Kieth looked into Patrick's eyes one last time, and saw a face more evil and sadistic than that of Howard Fortstall...

"I wish that, should Patrick completely depend on life support, that he be euthanised...I'm sorry Patrick...but you've lost you way in life. I can see it in your eyes..."

And for the first time in over a month, Patrick spoke with complete understanding of his words, "And I can see the fear in yours," he laughed a little, before spitting on the floor beside his bed, "One for death...you're all dead. Heh. Too bad Aizen isn't here. I'd thank him myself...For setting my soul free."

"What has he done...What has Aizen done to you, my friend...What happened to the man who fought for justice?"

"I choose this path because it provides justice, and I believe Aizen will conquer the four continents and unite our world...And..." He was unconscious once more...

Part II - The Kingdom of God

By the end of 2092, Aizen's forces were nearing the Laurasian Peninsula on the Leasath continent, and Anea had been completely annexed. The only continent to be totally free of Aizen's grasp was Antarctica, even though in Aurelia, Aizen's conquests were limited to the Republic of Sotoa.

In the Ceres Ocean, the situation was growing hopeful. The flagship of the Vuhifellian 11th Fleet; the VFS Kestral, under command of Admiral Junta Momonari, had managed to break off from her battlegroup, and was now sailing south, to the Federal Republic of New Jutland, a landmass that strangely resembled New Zealand...

===

In North Point, word of the Kestral's defection reached Supreme Admiral Ichimaru's ears quickly, and he hastily initiated a purge against all those not completely dedicated to either Aizen or the state, although the line between the two was almost non-existent anymore.

And with the Espada Guard now complete, things would get even more complicated. Although three of them were normal human soldiers without any alterations, they were born into war, and have been fighting since infancy. This was the day they all trained for. The domination of the Great Continents by their lord and master, Sousuke Aizen....

===

And in Van Luxemburg, Squad 49 was, in tandem with the Van Luxemburgian government, setting up a government-in-exile to represent the Free Vuhifellian State and all Oppressed and Occupied Peoples The new government would be named, the Free World State...

Auditorium, Grand-Ducal Palace, Luxembourg

'Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Palace. You have all been called here for an important conference. Further details will be given to you by Grootadmiraal Henk Eijsens. Further, we would like to welcome the government of the Vuhifellian States, headed by Kieth Brockman. I will now give the word to Grootadmiraal Eijsens.' When the Grand Duke finished speaking, he sat down on the first row. The Grootadmiraal stood up, and entered the stage. He began speaking as soon as the image projected by the beamer changed from the Grand-Ducal Coat of Arms into a map of Vuhifell.

'Welcome, all. This is Vuhifell. Recently, General Aizen has rose to power, and invaded many surrounding nations. We, as the Grand Duchy of Van Luxemburg want to put a halt to this. We can't just sit and see how innocent people are being slaughtered by a despotist premiére classe. Therefore, I'm here to tell you about Operation Noble Waters.'

He paused, and the image behind him switched to a detailed map, which included strategical markings.

'This is Operation Noble Waters. It contains three stages. Stage one will commence within weeks. Stage One will be the blocking of all important sea connections inbetween the Vuhifellian continent and all captured and invaded areas. The complete High Seas fleet, aswell as 1 and 2 Amphibious fleets will be deployed for this task, with assistance from the Korps Mariniers and the Grand-Ducal Airforce. They will be locking down every sea lane possible, with as much force as possible. All ships are to be refused access, and only those with an humanitarian task are to be searched and allowed. All Vuhifellian Navy ships are to be destroyed. Aircraft are supposed to be making attacks on supply depots, to stop Aizen from making offensive actions.

Stage Two is close to Stage One. Stage Two means that we will be attempting to weaken all Vuhifellian Forces in the region, with naval and aerial bombardments. The Vuhifellian Navy is to be completely destroyed, or at leats not able to leave it's ports anymore. The Airforce is supposed to be crippled, and unable to mount offensive or defensive action against invading troops or aircraft. The Vuhifellian Ground Troops are to be devoid of any supplies, and should be dispersed and weakened by continuous Naval and Air attacks.

Stage Three is the liberation of all occupied Territory by the Van Luxemburgian Terraforce, aswell as mounting an invasion of Vuhifell itself. By now, all troops from Vuhifell should be severly weakened and disorganized, so the Terraforce can move in with close support from both the Marine and the Airforce. Eventually, General Aizen is to be either captured or shot, an honour we currently reserve for the Free Vuhifellians. They will be supporting us with all the manpower they can get their hands on, aswell as an extremely capable aircraft squadron and a small amount of ships.'

The image changed to a photo of General Aizen.

'This man is General Aizen. He is supposedly at North Point in Vuhifell, from where he is leading his troops. The area is supposedly impenetrable. The IVD doesn't even want to try to get close. If you ever see him, your best try is to kill him. Arresting him with a small group is practically impossible. The chances of him being returned to a Van Luxemburgian prison are way too slim. Therefore, shoot him. That was all, I believe. Operation Noble Waters is due to start in two weeks. In that time, all ships should be in position. Declarations of war are unneccessary since we do not recognise Aizen as Vuhifell's legal government. Good luck.'

While the Grootadmiraal left the stage, everyone was silent.

Fortunately, General Aizen was ignorant of the Macker Family's expansion, and also ignorant of their bank account. With a networth well into the double-digits of the quadrillions, the Macker family agreed to help the Free World State avenge their family's deceased...

http://www.vpahotlist.vuh.com

Sousuke Aizen
Commander General of VA
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Gin Ichimaru
Supreme Admiral of the VN
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Kaname Tōsen
General of the Skies of the VAF
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Cho Paik
Head of Internal Security
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William Kirsch
Senior Official, occupation unknown
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Dieter Weber
Chief Logistics Officer
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Nwabudike Morgan
Head of State Media, Media Regulations Officer
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Wernher von Vogel
Chief of Homeland Defense
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Jesus Meana
Administrator of Overseas Possessions
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Operation: Dark Moon

The push through the Laurasian Peninsula was slow, and was quickly grinding down to a halt. Out of all the nations Vuhifell had invaded, North and South Laurasia proved to be the hardest. With a center completely made of mountain ranges and steep, deadly cliffs leading off into the coastal plains, the entire area was ripe for an effective insurgency.

Operation Dark Moon would consist of three phases, each completing its own objective.

Stage one would be to take the Laurasian Peninsula, securing Vuhifellian naval supremacy in the New Atlantic Ocean, and also bringing the whole of the Leasath continent under Vuhifellian hegemony.

Stage two would consist of a sea invasion of New Jutland and Antarctica, providing for excellent resupply depots and submarine bases. New Jutland would also provide a perfect position from which to invade Aurelia.

Stage three would finally consist of a combined air, sea, and ground assault on the Aurelian continent. Primarily the Union of Yuktobanian Republics, a communist nation. The ground assault would come from Sotoa, and would puncture a deep pocket in Yuktobanian defense lines. The air assault would be launched from Western Leasath and would bypass the coastal defenses on the Yuktobanian Ceres Ocean coastline. Finally, the sea invasion would push upwards from the southern tip of Aurelia, eventually reaching Yuktobania through the Jilachi desert.

And after stage three...it would all be over. Aizen would be the man sitting on the throne at the top of the world. And no one would get in his way. He would craft the four continents to his liking, and he would be worshipped as the one and only God.

James Island Research Facility

Three people lay on their backs on steel tables. They weren't tied down, but a technician sitting in the security booth was aiming an automated security camera's machine gun at them. The three people in question were two males and one female. The female was remarkably beautiful, with soft, brown skin, and long brown hair.

The older of the two males was in his late-fifties, and his hair was graying.

The youngest of them all was the young male, in his early twenties. He had black hair, high cheekbones, and eyebrows that visibly said he was pissed off. He woke up first.

"Ugh, what the hell happened?" he asked himself, but before he could look around and get his bearings, a man used a key card to open the electronic lock on the door in front of them, and stepped inside.

They were in the infirmary, and the man that had just walked in looked like an older version of the young man, only with brown hair and eyes instead of black hair and green eyes.

"W-Who are you?"

"I see Operation Deception was a success...welcome to James Island Research Facility," the man looked at a clip board on the table beside him, before looking back at the man, "Daniel Malone, welcome to James Island. I am Sousuke Aizen..."