Contest [Issue 27] Continue the Story! [Chapter 2]

[Pathfinder 1,690]

Firstly, a huge congratulations to all those who won crystals in Chapter 1 of this ongoing challenge, especially @DarthvaderjonGTR, whose revised entry is featured below!

However, if you didn't, don't be disheartened! There are more opportunities to win, as well as learn from those entries that did do well!

So far in the story!

Chapter 1:

Commander Nikolai marched along the imposing row of tanks neatly lined up outside the gates of Berlin, the last German stronghold.

"Comrades! Today, we strive to bring glory to our motherland", he roared. "And to annihilate these ingrates from the face of the Earth! Let them tremble under our wrath, our anger, and our power! Mercy? Let them taste our vengeance as we send them all to hell!"

Eying a terrified soldier, he marched over and snatched the bottle of vodka from his trembling clutches.

"Save that for when Berlin is ours! Fear not, for victory is certain!"
____________________________________________________________________________________

A mortar shell exploded near my tank, the ground shook and the sound of urgent shouting rang in my ears. The musty, yet familiar smell of gunpowder and charred metal perforated the already saturated air. Everyone scrambled to their offensive positions.

"Happy birthday Hitler," Nikolai muttered under his breath, as he raised his hands that marked the beginning of the assault.

Slowly, but surely, our formation of tanks churned into action as our unit advanced, decimating all enemy troops in our path. Fierce resistance was met, with German troops and heavy gunfire bombarding our positions. Artillery shells whistled overhead as gatling guns sought to inject rhythmical discipline into the chaos ensuing on the ground.

"Air support!" Colonel Alexei hollered, motioning to the radio. Soon, heavy artillery fire came from behind, thundering deep into the German capital. The smouldering clouds of smoke rose, one each time a shell met its target. Booming echoed throughout the battlefield.

Suddenly, an ominous silence veiled the street we were besieging. Enemy movement had ceased. I looked to my fellow comrades, only to find the same confusion and puzzlement etched on their faces. The street seemed abandoned, save the uncountable fallen soldiers scattered across the brick-red pavement, their faces contorted and disfigured beyond recognition and limbs strewn haphazardly across the blood stained mesh of concrete and mangled metal.

The infantry inched forward tentatively, unsure and cautious at this unexpected development.

All of a sudden, a single gunshot reverberated around the deserted street. A lieutenant from the 6th Belorussian front gave a muffled cry and fell backwards. I had noticed the flash of the shot, bearing origin from behind a window on the third floor of a battered building. The sniper had clearly been trying to establish the chain of command and had been successful in doing so.

"Contact from within the buildings!" The warning had barely left my lips when the windows of buildings from both sides of the deceptively empty street erupted in heavy machine-gun fire.

Abandoning our posts and breaking formation, we dived for cover behind overturned vehicles as our infantry units began to scale the stairs to take out the snipers. Our ten tanks lumbering in the middle of the street slowly turned their turrets, preparing to neutralize the threat. Bullets ricocheted off the heavy armor of the sturdy T-34 tanks like peanuts as the turrets of destruction took careful aim at the resistance fighters seeking cover in the brittle concrete buildings.

I clutched my assault rifle close and tried to catch my breath. War was no stranger to me, but this was different. We had been caught completely off guard. I glanced at my companion Boris, seeking reassurance. He gave me a confident nod and motioned upwards. We were taking cover in one of the buildings and would try to take out the troops hidden upstairs. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as we scaled the stairs with unparalleled speed and dexterity.

The rumbling sound of the German tanks rose over the noise of small arms fire and artillery shells. The German tank battalion had arrived.

"Panzer Vor!!!" A loudspeaker resonated from the German line.

Realising the advantage of higher ground, we hastened our climb to the top floor. We turned the final round of stairs, with Boris ahead as usual. Abruptly, Boris stopped dead in his tracks. Slowly, he laid his rifle down on the unforgiving concrete floor and raised his hands. The sound of a pistol cocking echoed around the stairwell. Beads of perspiration trickled down my forehead as the sudden raw realization dawned on my tormented soul.

Swiftly, I ducked back down the stairwell as two pairs of scuff hairy arms grappled Boris into the room. For the first time in the war, I was at loss of what to do...

So, a surprise ambush, a captured comrade, a battle raging... But what happens next? That's up to you! The challenge is to write the best continuation of the story!

The winner will receive a 50,000 crystal reward, and the recognition of their extract being featured in the next issue.

Your entry will be judged on the following, in order of importance:

• It must be your own work, completely original. Note that you don't need to continue the same writing style or tone from the first chapter. Write in your own style!
• Content - it must be interesting, and something that has potential to continue on to be a great story. Do note that this is not the completion of Chapter 1, but rather another chapter, which will not end the story.
• Quality of writing.

Furthermore, to emphasise quality over quantity, there is an informal word limit of 500 words. Slightly over is acceptable, but not too long please! Make every word count!

Deadline is 25th October! Late entries may not be considered!

Other notable entries will receive a 10,000 consolation prize.

Good luck!

Edited July 31, 2017 by Hexed

[MarineMan2 1,164]

Can't wait. Reserved.

[Aero.v2.0 1,456]

Ninjaed, awesome job and congrats! Reserved possibly...

[hell-water 20]

                      ghost tank in battle

                STADIUM

In before hero0 was got by ghost--kill--666 he was think what to do now 

continue... now

        hero0 was pry to god he was scared by half of mind is no fear he hope some one come to help him his friend he was try to invite his friends to help but can't battle is full so.... ghost--kill--666 was shoot him lucky his friend invite him name U.S.A-_- invite him he go there 

  U.S.A-_- was invite him stadium hero0 was happy that he escaped but he saws the ghost--kill--666 he told to U.S.A-_- but he was became his group he was scary the battle who played all became his group he use nitro and run faster than ever suddenly hero0's was called forum admins like archangle,tommy60 etc...

 

there are war with them but there failed that war they lose everyone come near to him coming close behind wall no escape friends not online battle will not finished also suddenly something like a a fire ball fall like some thing its force falls its comes in speed 10081m/s  in speed its was come near to hero0 a big blast a large explore then what happens we will tell in other season 

 

made by

hell-water

note: this is my first account i am danielbeton if i lose or win send crystals here please

[TIMI 1,080]

Reserved :D

[Kevred 1,586]

                                                          Part 2: 

                                                               Betrayal

 

I stumble through the front door as the first panzer fires. My ears ring. The burning brick building next to me collapses, taking many of my comrades with it. I try to get back in, but the  door's stuck. "No!". I kick the door with my feet, but I doesn't move. "No! No! NO!". I scream in outrage as I repeatedly kick and punch the door until my body can't take it anymore. Then I start sobbing. Boris is trapped inside. I slowly sit down, ignoring the blazing fires and the bullets whizzing past me, only feeling the ball of remorse, shame and anger burning me from the inside.

 

What had I done? Why didn't I save him? I could've helped him somehow, but instead I acted like a coward and ran away. As I sob, a charred Wehrmacht soldier, his body covered in burns, walks past me and falls down, onto the mix of blood, metal and dirt that was once called a street. He raises a hand toward me, silently begging me to help him. I do not. He does not get up again. That seemed to bring me back to my senses. 

 

I clutch my dirty SMG¹ as tightly as I could, and slowly get up. I peek towards the advancing German tanks. There are two panzers right next to the building I just left. I load a cartridge into my rusty MP40², and peek out of my cover. I realize the two German panzers are between me and what's left of my unit. Cautiously,  I search the German soldier that fell down and take his 2 grenades. Then, I wave my hands to signal the rest of my team, on the other side of the street, behind the panzers. I have to blink the dust out of my eyes several times before I can see them. They're nodding to show me they get what I'm trying to tell them, then charge out all at once of the brick building, a library I think, and start shooting at the panzers. It doesn't do any real damage, but it does get the German tank crews' attention.

 

The tanks' machine guns come into action, mowing down my men one after the other. I watch my second in command , Dmitri, get shot in the head and then repeatedly in the body. I should feel bad, but I don't. This is war. We all know the risks.

 

As the first panzer's cannon slowly turns towards my men and away from me, I run to the armoured beast, jump on top of his turret, and pry the cover open. I do not look at my soon-to-be victims, throw one of the grenades in it, and jump off at the last minute. Behind me, a huge explosion shakes the houses around me. I don't look back. Instead, I shout towards the others: "Can you take care of the last panzer?". A soldier nods, then starts shooting again. I gesture to a lieutenant of the 4th Infantry division. He runs towards me.

 

"What's your name?", I shout, covering the sounds of guns firing and soldiers screaming.

He grins, and pumps his chest with pride."Dragovitch, sir! Lieutenant of the 4th Infantry division, proud soldier of  Mother Russia, hero of the..."

"Yes, yes, just follow me, were going to rescue a..." I pause for a moment. 'A friend' just doesn't sound right. Not after all we've been trough together. "A brother.", I finally say.

 

With his help, I break into the building where Boris is being held, and walk back up the stairs. The light creeping in from the windows give this place a feeling of dread. There's no one to stop me, wich seems strange, but I don't have time to think about it. As my hand reaches the metal door Boris was dragged into, my stomach clutches. Who knows what the Germans might have done to him? Is he even still alive?

 

I was about to tell Dragovitch to go first, when I hear a gun shot right behind me. I turn around as Dragovitch, his eyes bulging, slowly slumps to the ground, clutching his bloody stomach. Behind him are two emaciated Germans, both pointing their rifles at me.  Then the metal door opens, and someone puts a gun to my head. I don't even think of trying to defend myself. All I could do is stare in bewilderment at the man holding the gun.

 

Because the man holding the gun... is Boris.

He grins. "Don't be so surprised".

 

¹ SMG stands for sub-machine gun

² The MP40 is a german-made SMG

Edited October 24, 2014 by Kevred

[DarthvaderjonGTR 615]

:) :) :) :) :) :)

[Dhruv_007 30]

reserved~~~~~~~~~~

[sniper14c 118]

Reserved

[Guest Maserati]

My Chapter

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

The End

[Endurance 543]

Good Luck.

Edited October 17, 2014 by Endurance

[bc5161 13]

Reserved :)

[kardinal133133 11]

never more contest....no point

[Meliora 1,652]

About tanks and war - not for me...

[shan19 228]

~DELETED~

Edited October 4, 2014 by shan19

[hell-water 20]

shan dis you saw my sotry

[abdullahtss 5]

reserved ill try harder this time

Edited October 4, 2014 by abdullahtss

[DarthvaderjonGTR 615]

Part 2: The Beginning of the End

 

 

An hour had crept by since Boris' capture. With an overwhelming sense of helplessness, I glanced at the rusted and worn timepiece wrapped tautly around my wrist, a sharp reminder of the seconds crawling by with agonizing deliberation. Meanwhile, the confrontation between the German panzer corps and our attack force had died down to barely a whimper, with both sides assuming a tactical retreat to analyze their losses and regroup for another attack.

 

Gingerly, I peered out the grimy window, careful to avoid the serrated fragments of glass hugging the remains of its warped and weathered frame. Glancing at the temporary military stalemate, it dawned on me that this was the prime opportunity to rescue my stricken comrade from the deleterious clutches of his captors. Silently, I ascended the stairs once again, muscles tensed and filled with apprehension. Soft murmuring in a foreign tongue became audible as I approached the doorway, punctuated by the staccato of gunshots emanating from the enemy sniper rifle. I took a quick peek past the door, which had been callously left ajar, noting the enemy positions.

 

 

 

There were three of them in total, one of whom was manning the sniper rifle with unsympathetic pleasure. The other two were fiddling impatiently with a radio transmitter, tuning in on different frequencies. Boris was blindfolded and tied to a chair in the middle of the room, a dark pool of blood oozing out from a gaping wound on his right shin. The intentions of his incarcerators were indubitable. A chill ran down my spine as I contemplated the notion of failure and the pernicious repercussions it would entail, especially since Boris was the chief of intelligence for our unit. The unprecedented scenario, in which Boris could possibly be forced to divulge confidential information to the enemy, would be tantamount to jeopardizing the entire operation. The negative connotations and implications of his capture were irrefutable. Not to mention, Boris was my friend and brother in arms. But wouldn’t a rescue attempt endanger my life? I could perish alongside my comrades without accomplishing anything! My conscience tormented my soul as selfish thoughts attempted to cast aspersions on my noble resolve.

 

Having overcome the devil within me, I took a deep breath and steadied my trembling hands, resting my finger resolutely on the cold, hard trigger of my rifle. Digging into the side compartment of my faded uniform, I pulled out a stun grenade. I bit the saftey pin and yanked down hard, hurling the ball of destiny into the room as I braced myself for the flash-bang. Swiftly negotiating a sharp turn into the room, I fired a volley of shots at my immobilized enemies as they lay on the parched concrete, jerking about with spasmodic movements. Brushing away a tinge of remorse, I freed Boris from the crudely crafted interrogation chair and shook his motionless body in a futile attempt to revive him. Realising the need to get Boris urgent medical attention, I lifted Boris up onto my weary shoulders and stumbled down the steep spiral staircase. Gunshots rang out from behind me as I entered the street and I felt a searing pain whip through my arm. My rifle fell out of my grasp but I continued my desperate run for cover towards the Russian line.

 

 

I was greeted by the all too familiar Russian salute and collapsed in exhaustion onto the dented hood of a nearby Volkswagen. I winced as a medic tied a tourniquet around my arm. Luckily for me, the bullet had merely scraped my flesh, reducing the risk of complications arising from a nasty bullet extraction process. Boris had been sent to a makeshift first aid center for emergency treatment, and much to my relief, he wasn’t too far gone. I surveyed my surroundings, taking in the extensive destruction surrounding our unit. Commander Nikolai and some other high ranked officials were gathered in a small circle engaging in a heated debate. Their argument, though barely audible, was evidently rising in decibels.

 

An unmistakable whirring sound grew in a sharp crescendo as a shell whistled overhead and landed just in front of our line. The shell came from behind our established front. With a new sense of urgency, we whipped our heads around only to confirm our worst fears. Another German Panzer division was heading towards us from our rear. The Germans had us in a pincer grip. I grabbed a nearby 14.5mm rifle and began to stage what I thought to be my last stand.

 

"It was an honor serving with you, my comrades!" I exclaimed, addressing my doomed companions.

As Germans in front and behind closed in on us, I braced myself for the inevitable.

 

In the midst of the panic and confusion, I noticed, in my peripheral vision, commander Nikolai climbing up onto one of our tanks with a loud hailer in hand. Certainly he wasn’t that suicidal…

 

Commander Nikolai gave a long hard stare towards the advancing fleet of German units and closed his eyes. With a flourish, he raised the loud hailer to his lips and the melodious, yet solemn lyrics of the Russian anthem floated through the air, rising over the monotonous gunfire and menacing rumbling of enemy tanks drawing closer. Soon, everyone joined in and our anthem echoed proudly through the streets of Berlin. With new resolve, I grabbed several anti-tank grenades, and along with a few other comrades, charged towards the advancing German tanks.

 

The panzers opened fire on us, blasting large holes in the pavement, churning up clouds of debris and dust. A shell landed nearby and I was thrown off my feet, landing unceremoniously on my side. My vision clouded as I slipped into the abyss of darkness. The Russian anthem echoed around the hollows of my head, slowly fading away into a distant memory...

Edited October 20, 2014 by DarthvaderjonGTR

[AcE0SniiP 140]

Reserved B)

i guess your gonna win,so im not gonna enter this again

[DarthvaderjonGTR 615]

i guess your gonna win,so im not gonna enter this again

Never accept defeat before you even try ;)

[AcE0SniiP 140]

Never accept defeat before you even try ;)

i already tried,now that i think,my story was childish 

[Pathfinder 1,690]

Better to try :) even if you don't win, this is a good way to improve your writing and enjoy other's!

[I.WalkAlone 548]

-Removed-

Edited October 7, 2014 by I.WalkAlone

[Nasrunas 199]

:3

[sniper14c 118]

Reserved