It didn’t take long for the cluster of choppers to arrive near the platform, and they were taking turns unloading several soldiers and marines by way of a repelling rope.
The first ones to touch down on the shiny metal platform were, of course, the Marines, who I quickly surmised were part of the Special Forces unit MARSOC (Marine Forces Special Operations Command).
The instant boots began hitting the metal ground, I found myself staring at the barrels of multiple high-powered rifles while one person, a man, screamed orders at me.
"HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM! DON’T FUCKING MOVE AN INCH!"
"Really guys, first you show up late to the party, and now you’re pointing guns at a kid who isn’t even a teenager yet, reallllll smooth. Then again, what do I expect from a group of Crayon eaters, all brawn, no brain…" Heaving a sigh, I augmented my throat and yelled over the sound of Helicopter blades.
"OIII, YOU GUYS WANNA SEND DOWN SOME SENSABLE GREEN BERETS OR RANGERS SO I CAN HAVE A CIVIL CONVERSATION WITH THEM INSTEAD OF BANGING MY HEAD AGAINST THE WALL WITH MARSOC MARINES?"
Either due to how loud my voice was or how audacious I was acting even with a squad of ten Spec Op Marines with guns drawn and pointed at me, my words seemed to reach the proper ears as the Osprey unloading its passengers traded out with a Blackhawk Helicopter.
Unlike the Marines who repelled down, the Blackhawk touched down on the football field-sized platform, and a group of six heavily geared people stepped out alongside a man wearing a pristine Army uniform bearing three silver stars along with a Patch on his left shoulder bearing the name RANGER.
At a glance, I knew exactly who this man was: Lieutenant General Geoffry A. Farshar, the commander of the 25th Infantry division and a literal Wartime Hero.
’Oh shit, they sent a general…wow,’ I heard Xilia say, causing me to almost crack up on the spot laughing; however, I knew that I was in a bit of a precarious situation, especially since a high-ranking official was stepping off the Helicopter.
As the General walked away from his Soldiers past the marines, before eventually stopping a few feet away from me, AGAINST the recommendations of his men, I quickly formulated a plan because I could see it in his eyes. This guy had some background knowledge of me…and that means I could work with it.
So I did the only thing any self-respecting soldier would; I clicked my heels together, executed a perfect military salute, and greeted the General.
"Good Afternoon General Farshar." The act should have sent everyone present for a loop, but since it was instinctual, the General Returned my salute with one of his own before saying.
"At ease, so…you must be the Vigilante Claiming to be a Major in the Army, Nexus."
"Well, I had to say something to get the civilians on my side, and it just so happens that I come from a military family, so it kind of made for a plausible story."
"After all, it’s a bit farfetched to have people running around in hero outfits with enhanced strength and literal superpowers, am I right?" My words caused all of the Soldiers and Marines behind the general to stiffen slightly as many had their trigger fingers itch for a split second.
"I suppose you are correct in that assertation; however, it’s a serious offense to make the claims you did, but as there is a more pressing situation at hand…" The General’s words trailed off as he looked up at the massive metallic Gate of swarming particle energy.
"What can you tell me about it and how this mountain appeared."
"Basically anything you want to know, from its origin to what its purpose is, but General, I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to say this information in public like this," glancing around the General at the men behind him, I smacked my lips before going back to parade rest with my hands clasped behind my back.
"It’s fine; they are going to be stationed here for the foreseeable future anyway; they should know what they are dealing with so as not to be caught unawares." Exhaling loudly through his nose, I could tell that the General couldn’t make heads or tails of either me or the Gate, so he was going out on a limb since someone above his paygrade had specifically mentioned my name and that I was trustworthy.
Those were the thoughts running through his mind, and upon hearing them, I pushed away the budding curiosity and refused to jump to conclusions.
But one thing was for certain: there was someone with a lot of authority and Returner Knowledge running the Shower in one or more of the Branches.
"Well…for starters, this mountain, not just the Gate, is Called the Undead Tower, and the people behind its creation are far more dangerous than any foreign military or even Weapons of Mass Destruction."
"By the way, I’m no slouch myself either, but I’m on y’all side, not theirs."
"Sides? Oh, you must be talking of that Parteavian group, I’ve been briefed on some of the minor details, but I have to admit it all sounds like a crock of shit."
"I don’t blame you. To be honest, if I hadn’t been living through everything myself, I doubt I’d believe it either, but then again, I can also do this…" Holding up my hand, I used Dust Manipulation and conjured several spheres that rotated around my palm.
CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK
Almost instantly, several receivers clicked as bullets loaded into the barrels of nearly every rifle present.
"Boys, I recommend you don’t; I reallllllly don’t wanna have to kick the asses of a bunch of Spec Ops dudes today, it’s been a rough several hours, and all I wanna do is go to bed." Releasing my control over the particle dirt, I allowed it to fall like sand before merging with my gauntlets.
"Men, lower your guns; it will be your asses on the line for pointing a loaded rifle at a Major." Holding up his right hand, the General’s words stunned his men as they quickly lowered their weapons, with more than a few giving me strange or confused looks.
"Oh…can honestly say I didn’t see that one coming,"
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"Major on paper, at least," The General dismissively stated while walking forward toward the Gate.