Contest [Issue 28] Continue the Story! [Chapter 3]

Pathfinder · October 5, 2014

Firstly, a huge congratulations to all those who won crystals in Chapter 2 of this ongoing challenge, especially !

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 (@DarthvaderjonGTR):

The Grand Offensive

Part 1: The Invasion

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

"Comrades, today, we strive to bring glory to our motherland, and to annihilate these ingrates from the face of the Earth! They will feel our full power, wrath, and anger! Mercy is not ours to give! Let them taste our vengeance while we send them all to hell!"

Sauntering over to a distraught looking soldier, he snatched the bottle of vodka from his trembling clutches, "save that for when Berlin is ours, comrade! Fear not, for victory is certain!"

A mortar shell landed near my tank, the ground shook and the sound of confused 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.

"All units, attack! Fire at will! For mother Russia!"

Slowly, but surely, our formation of tanks began to advance, 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.

"We need air support!" Colonel Alexei hollered, motioning to the radio. Soon, heavy artillery fire came from behind us into the German capital. Suddenly, a strange silence fell over 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 for the multitudes of fallen soldiers scattered like breadcrumbs across the brick pavement, their faces contorted 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.

A single gunshot reverberated around the deserted street. A lieutenant from the 6th Belorussian front gave a muffled cry of horror and stumbled 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 relatively 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 thick heavy armor of the sturdy T-34 tanks like peanuts as the turrets of destruction took careful aim at the doomed resistance fighters seeking cover in the brittle concrete buildings.

I clutched my assault rifle and tried to catch my breath. War was no stranger to me, but this was different. We had been caught completely off guard. Things could have gone much worse... 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 hiding 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 pushed Boris into the room. For the first time in the war, I was at loss of what to do...

Chapter 2 (@Kevred):

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, oblivious to the blazing fires and the bullets whizzing past me, feeling only remorse, shame and anger burning me deep 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 snatch another glimpse 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, nothing more than scatches and dents. But it does get the German tank crews' attention.

The tanks' machine guns roar into action, mowing down my men one after the other, bursts of crimonson erupting from their shuddering bodies. I watch my second in command , Dmitri, get shot in the head and then repeatedly in the body. It was brutal. 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 second. 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 creep back up the stairs. The light clawing in from the windows give this place a feeling of dread. There's no one to stop me, which 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 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".

¹SMG stands for sub-machine gun
²The MP40 is a german-made SMG

A sudden turn of events! But what happens next?

Your task is to write the best continuation to 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 November! Late entries may not be considered!

A couple of other notable entries will receive a 10,000 consolation prize.

Good luck!

Raredust · October 31, 2014

Part 3: Crisis

Questions invaded my mind. What happened to Boris? Why did the Germans kill Dragovitch and not me? What would Boris do to me? Was this the end?

I knew one thing for sure; whatever the Germans did to him, I couldn't let them do to me.

Boris pulled me into the room. I didn't try to defend myself, obeying all of the orders he instructed me. He sat me down as one of the Germans shut the metal door. I kept thinking; Boris wouldn't do this to me, after all we've been through, he just wouldn't. I didn't let myself believe that he could. Suddenly, I heard gunshots coming from outside the room. The two men opened the metal door and started shooting down the stairs. Other Germans, seemingly from out of thin air, joined the two and assisted them. I looked at Boris, who ran to the door and shut it. He quickly walked toward me.

"What are you doing?!" He said with slight anger.

"More importantly, what are you doing?" I quickly said back.

"Long story, right now we have to get out of here!"

Confusion took over my body, and more questions fluttered through my head every second that went by. I had to trust him, there was nothing else to do. I swiftly obeyed and followed him. He hastily led me to a wooden door that I didn't see before and charged through it. I quickly glanced through a window that we were passing. Havoc. Havoc was the only thing in sight. But again, this is war. I looked back in front of me and followed Boris down an individual stairway. I started to hear additional gunshots; we had to get out of there immediately. Suddenly, a devastating explosion, that seemingly took place only a few feet away, threw Boris and I into the air. I landed correctly, but Boris landed in a very vulnerable position.

Boris yelled over the explosions, "I'm okay, I'm okay! This building's gonna fall apart! We have to get out right now!"

He took a few seconds to get back on his feet, then we kept sprinting down the stairs. We grew closer to the bottom, when suddenly I heard a deep and familiar voice howl in pain. I immediately knew, it was Boris. I glanced at him on his back. His eyes were shut and mouth open from pain, his right leg bleeding. He had been shot.

"Just go! Get out!" He insisted.

I couldn't leave him, something within kept me from doing so. I tried to think, think harder than I ever had in my life at what to do. I looked up, and saw what looked like part of a story of the building falling apart. I looked back at Boris, then back up. Time was running short, and I was stumped.

Edited November 4, 2014 by Raredust

Mr.Eswar · November 1, 2014

Yea this time I'll participate

lordmostafa · November 1, 2014

Best of luck everyone ^_^

abdullahtss · November 1, 2014

r

rothro3 · November 1, 2014

Part Three: No News Is Good News

I awoke in a dark, dreary, and broken-down excuse for a cell. The windows, all boarded up, hardly let in enough light to see by, and dust was everywhere. Broken bits of furniture and wallpaper told me this had once been a fancy apartment for the rich of Germany. My position itself was not comfortable either, lying on my back with my hands tied beneath my aching body. As I worked myself into a sitting posture, I heard voices from the other side of the wall.

“He calls for us to be brave and fearless on the battlefield, giving OUR lives for the sake of protecting him! The coward!” came the first voice, “I wish I could put a knife between his ribs!”

“You may not have to.” The reply was calm, consistent, and lacked any trace of emotion, “I hear Hitler has committed suicide.”

“What? He not only takes OUR lives from us, but he robs me of revenge as well! The coward!”

That was all I needed to hear. Now that my eyes had adjusted to the faint light filtering through the window’s broken glass and heavy boards, I could make out a single nail poking through the underside of an upturned floorboard. I frantically began rubbing the rawhide rope that bound my wrists together against the rusted nail, and lay exhausted when the rope finally snapped in two. Quickly taking my emergency rations from my belt, I hurriedly ate them. Feeling somewhat stronger, I began to search for a way out of the dismal room. Suddenly I tripped on a pile of scattered metal and collapsed in a heap. What a din that made! Immediately all noise from the other room was silenced. The quietness was broken by a key jiggling in the cell door’s lock. Swiftly but quietly, I grasped a metal bar from the pile, and leaped forward, right as the door swung open revealing two high-ranking Nazi officers. Catching the Germans off guard, I dispatched both of them, stripped them of their weapons, and moved into the next room, trying to find evidence of what I had heard. During my investigation, I discovered a trapdoor in the ceiling, which led to a secret passageway. Finally I located what I was searching for: a note that stated bluntly that Hitler had committed suicide! Stuffing the note in my pocket, I detected footsteps in the hallway coming toward my position. Peeking stealthily around the door, I almost gave a shout because there, walking toward my hiding place was a man looking exactly like myself! Behind him marched two German soldiers carrying between them a limp form wearing a Russian uniform. Aiming my shotgun, which I had acquired while searching the room, I promptly shot down my look-alike and his two surprised cohorts.

* * * * * * * * * * *

A splash of water revived me, and I opened my eyes. There was Boris, standing over me with a shotgun clenched in one hand, and a now empty pitcher in the other.

“Why did you betray me?” I blurted out.

“I didn’t.” Boris shot back. Then he rose and stepped over the dead German guards, to the body of a man who looked EXACTLY like Boris. Dragging the corpse back to where I slouched against the wall, Boris reached underneath the dead man’s chin and pulled off a mask. I gasped out loud, for there in front of me lay the body of no other than Commander Nikolai.

Edited November 8, 2014 by rothro3

greyat · November 1, 2014

Good job winner(s).

Part 3: Revelation

No... no... no... no. This cannot be, I think. I am in such a state of shock that I don’t resist as the Germans lead me away.

The sounds of the battle fade away as we go deeper and deeper within the building. Finally, I am led into a cramped metal cell. The Germans exit the cell, leaving me alone with my former friend. I seize the opportunity, and lunge at Boris. I am sent reeling by a blow from the butt of his pistol. Boris, how could you?

“You’d better not try that again,” he says coldly, “Next time the other end of the pistol will be waiting for you.

“But… Boris. You were my friend. The battles we were in... Stalingrad... Kursk... Dukla Pass... Königsberg... why has it come to this? Who are you?” I ask, my voice rising. Tears are about to come, but my training asserts itself and stops them.

His reply is mechanical. “What I am is of no concern to you. Your only concern is how to stay alive.”

Suddenly, I realize that when the Germans took away my submachine gun, they failed to take away my sidearm, concealed in the depths of my uniform.

Should I…? Yes.

Feigning defeat, I slump into the only feature of the otherwise barren cell, a stool behind a table, while covertly slipping my hand into my coat.

“What is it that you want, then?” I ask.

“Intelligence. You are a high ranking officer, so we can expect that you know more about Russian troop movements that I, a mere sergeant in the army,” said Boris.

“Very well,” I reply, “I will-” Noting that Boris is still clutching his pistol in his hand, I slide to the ground in the middle of my sentence, while retrieving my revolver from my coat. Aim, and gently apply pressure to the trigger. I sight on Boris’s right arm, and fire. The bullet runs true, and Boris yells, dropping his pistol. His right arm is useless, I can tell, for he has dropped to the ground and is scrambling desperately for the pistol, which has slid under the table, with his left.

“Freeze,” I intone coldly, mirroring his voice of minutes past. Boris immediately stops and turns around.

“B-b-but I thought they disarmed you,” he stammers.

Keen to avoid another reversal in the situation, I retrieve the gun, while keeping my own trained on him.

“Germans are stupid. They forget that all Soviet officers carry a sidearm,” I say, “Too bad you didn’t realize either. Now, I would like some answers.”

Apparently realizing his disadvantage, Boris replies, “The Germans turned me during Stalingrad; I couldn’t stand the death anymore… they promised a way out - if I could assassinate Zhukov, but I could never get close enough before I was transferred under you.”

“And now we are in Berlin, where my true superiors are, and you here with me - a veritable gold mine of intelligence. How can any sane man resist? Bringing you in was just as good as assassinating Zhukov.”

He is deluded, I realize. “Now, I wish to return to my soldiers. You will help me,” I say quietly, hiding my rage. There will be a time for you later, I vow.

Cowed by my gun, Boris quickly accedes.

“Lead the way,” I continue.

We walk through a maze of corridors before the harsh electric lighting fades out into brilliant sunlight. The battle is over, I can see. The charred remains of what were once men and tanks litter the streets. Taking cover in an alley to take stock of the situation, I quickly come to realize how grim it is. Our forces had evidently withdrawn, leaving Germans once again in control of the city. We rise to continue the journey.

Suddenly, a cry of “Stopp” comes from behind us. We turn to face an entire company of Germans, weapons drawn. I dart around a corner, pulling Boris with me. The Germans, too surprised to discharge their weapons, run after us in pursuit.

How will I ever get out of this wretched city?

[Work in progress]

Edited November 4, 2014 by greyat

MidnightReaper · November 1, 2014

reserved

Dr.Urbi · November 1, 2014

Man, these 2 stories are damn good! I dont evem recognise all the words ;)

reserved, i'll try my best.

Penguin40 · November 2, 2014

Can I write a story from Part 2 to 3? I did not participate in Part 2.

TriNitroToIuene · November 2, 2014

Part 3 - Old Feuds

”No,” I thought. “This can”t be happening.” And indeed, I was overwhelmed at what was happening. My heart felt as if it had taken a dozen rounds of Derringer rifle bullets. I couldn”t speak because the shock had whipped my voice away, I couldn”t move a muscle because the scene in front of me had sapped my last dreg of energy, I couldn”t think because the sight of Boris pointing his pistol at me had drained my ability to think. I couldn”t even trust my senses because there was no way Boris could have crossed over to the dark side.

All around me, soldiers fell, but it all felt irrelevant to the big betrayal taking place in front of my very eyes. There stood Boris, a smug smile on his face, ready to shoot.

I mustered my voice. “Boris, my brother…… after all these moments together, why did you cross over? How did our motherland wrong you? You were my best friend……. AND I TRUSTED YOU!” I ended in a scream, venting out my rage on Boris, the Germans….. well, pretty much everybody.

A fire emerged in Boris” eyes. “DON”T TALK TO ME ABOUT OUR MOTHERLAND!” he shouted, and slapped me across the jaw. My mouth smarted. “That is another story, but first things first. Tie him up!” he ordered his guards. They disarmed me as expertly as a dog would, even removing my cudgel which I had hidden up my sleeve. They then tied me up till I was as helpless as a chicken waiting for slaughter.

”Enjoy prison,” said Boris.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

”So there you are!” said Boris as he entered my prison cell. Till then, I had been languishing the loss of my best friend. I still couldn”t forget the scene when Boris had hoisted his rifle and said, “Don”t be too surprised.”

”I”m not talking to you,” I said. “No point in talking to a turncoat who has ditched our country.

Again a fire flared up in Boris” eyes. “DO NOT SPEAK OF MY MOTHERLAND!” he said. Then quietening down, he said in a deadly, quiet voice. “I”ll tell you. I”ll tell you everything.”

”When I was a little boy of six, around twenty years ago, I had everything I wished for. A home, caring parents. One fine day, an alarm rang in our city. Nobody paid attention to it, being engrossed in their own work. I was in the park, looking for someone to play with. Suddenly, a mine exploded less than five feet from where I stood. While I was blinded with dust, rough hands seized me and knocked me out. When I woke up, my home was reduced to rubble. An army officer told me that my city is no more, and threatened to kill me unless I accompanied him. I had no choice.”

While Boris spoke, I balled my fist and tried to remember my judo lessons. Kick, flip, elbow.

”He smuggled me from Munich to Moscow and forcibly trained me as an army officer.”

I got distracted. “Wait. You”re a German by birth?”

”Of course. I want revenge. That man ruined my life, now I”m going to ruin his.”

I hesitated. This person had been wronged and simply wanted revenge. But it was too late to make decisions. I lunged and attacked.

I kicked him in the chest and flipped him over my shoulder. Then the whole building exploded.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was like reliving a nightmare. Everything was exactly like the battlefield I had deserted hours before. Soldiers stormed the building and shot everywhere. The defences collapsed. The surprise attack had helped Russia regain control of the situation. The 4^th Regiment marched in and quickly suppressed any potential revolt. In seconds, it was over. We had captured one of the Germans” prime rallying stations.

”Very good,” I said. “Cease fire.”

I saw Boris lying in a corner, stunned by the blast. Blood was trickling from his mouth. I rushed to help him up. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a tank taking aim.

”No!” I screamed. But it was too late. Soldiers dragged me away from the scene and once again, the building went up in flames.

I went inside the burning prison and dragged Boris out. His skull was cracked. I knew he didn”t have much time left.

Boris whispered, “before I die, let me name the person who snatched my life from me.”

I leant in to listen. Boris” last two words were ones which left me feeling stupefied and astounded.

“Commander Nikolai”

Edited November 7, 2014 by TriNitroToIuene

DarthvaderjonGTR · November 2, 2014

Part 3: Despair

Water...

I glanced around at the moldy ceiling and flaking walls, the paint riddled with bullet holes. The room was a shadow of its once glorious past. Torn oil paintings caked in layers of ash and dust lined the battered wall, a solemn reminder to the grand balls of ages past. A battered chandelier attempted to brighten up my bleak situation.

Water...

My parched throat begged for a drop of the sacred liquid. Outside, the ominous rumbling of thunder and playful pitter patter of raindrops mocked my thirst. An itch developed across my face, slowly creeping past my nose. I raised my hands to scratch, only to realize they were bound by a ragged cloth to the back of a heavy metal chair.

So it wasn't a nightmare after all...

I had to stay strong. Looking for inspiration, I thought of how Commander Nikolai, despite having lost 3 fingers to a poorly manufactured grenade, had managed to climb to the much coveted post of Commander. I would do the same and find a way to overcome this adversity, no matter the cost.

A shadow moved in the corner of the room, jolting me out of my momentary spiritual enlightenment. Boris materialized in front of me.

"Thirsty?" He snickered, dangling a bottle of vodka inches from my face. With a sudden roar, he smashed the bottle at my feet, sending shards of glass flying. "Thank God I don't have to drink any of that vile liquid again!" He hollered, his eyes glazed over as he unleashed his true form.

"Why?" Was all I managed to mutter as my brain failed to comprehend the reality of the situation. "Why Boris?"

"Stop it! Stop calling me Boris! Only you Russians can come up with such a stupid name! My name is Raimund!" He spat out, seemingly savoring the look of sheer horror rapidly spreading across my face. "My mother was German, my Father, Russian. 25 years ago, he murdered all the men in her village with his band of gangsters. They then raped all the women and murdered them along with all the children. My mother escaped the brutality by slashing his hand with a kitchen knife and running off into the forest. My very existence is a testimony to Russian monstrosity and the suffering they brought upon my mother. I hate myself, but I have vowed to take revenge and I will not rest till I single handedly kill every single one of you inhumane, vicious and cold-hearted monsters!"

Gritting his teeth, he produced a hand grenade from his back pocket, pulled out the pin and tossed it at me. Instinctively, I tucked my head in between my knees and braced for the blast. Boris, or should I say Raimund, erupted in maniacal laughter. "Don't worry, it's a dud, and so was the one Commander Nikolai claims blew off his poor three little fingers." My mind raced. This man was insane and blinded by hatred, but I would never have fathomed what his story had just implied. Commander Nikolai was a fraud and a war criminal, certainly not a martyr! That however, was to be the least of my worries.

"Well, since I am going to exterminate the Russian army one by one, I thought I might as well begin with you, and since you have been my brother in arms for close to 10 years now, I've saved something special for you." With a wry grin, he whipped out a matchbox and with a flourish, lit a match.

"May a flaming death atone for your sins, my comrade" The match struck the floor and the stream of vodka burst into flames, snaking towards my feet. I struggled, wriggling away from the intense heat as far as the chair would allow.

"Where do you think you're going?" He smirked. Three gunshots rang out in my ears and I stopped in my tracks. It was a full 5 seconds before the pain registered and I realized I had been shot. My kneecap was splintered and the pain shot up my spine. A wretched cry emanated from my cracked lips, but no one was there to hear it. Raimund had left the room, cutting off any fresh air by slamming the door firmly shut. I heard a bolt turn from the outside followed by the sound of diminishing foot steps. The fire licked the seams of a nearby curtain, setting it alight. The inferno raged towards me, the smoke and soot depriving my bursting lungs of oxygen. The brittle wooden floorboards began to moan under the weight of the heavily ornamented furniture as the fire nibbled at their foundation. Despair pervaded my mind as the crackling sound of charred wood gradually grew louder in a jarring crescendo.

My knee had ceased to hurt, presumably because the nerves had been too badly damaged to transmit the any decipherable impulses to my overloaded brain. I grimaced. My hands were too tightly bound for an escape attempt and my right leg had been rendered useless. I was going to die.

I curled into a ball, this time resigned to my fate. Was this going to be the end of my wretched existence? My consciousness drifted back to the age old memories I had fighting alongside my ex-comrade. He had concealed his cover well over the years, leaving absolutely no trace as to his true intentions.

My breaths drew shorter and shorter as the smoke thickened. A wall of fire beckoned to my tormented soul, taunting my hopeless situation. The clock ticking rhythmically over the mantelpiece seemed to slow to a stop as my eyelids drooped. I had been stabbed in the heart by the betrayal, and that hurt more than anything my body could ever experience. My body had reached its physical limitations, having been battered into submission. My soul had been ripped to shreds by the unexpected revelation. Everything I had lived for for the past 10 years was nothing more than a pathetic lie.

I let out a haunted wail, lamenting the inevitable. The wall of fire inched slowly closer. My vision dimmed and I slipped slowly into the abyss of death, welcoming the peaceful black with an eerie, subdued calm...

PS: This does not mean I die :) The story can still be continued...

Edited November 17, 2014 by DarthvaderjonGTR

M1Abhrahams · November 2, 2014

reserved? what does that mean? idk, but me too. Reserved

Pathfinder · November 2, 2014

reserved? what does that mean? idk, but me too. Reserved

Essentially they've reserved that spot in the thread so later they can put their entry in there :P

November 2, 2014

~res~

AdustioAtqueDelerent · November 2, 2014

Part Three: The Oblivion Consortium

I staggered against the wall of the hallway as I was thrown into the hellish pit of lies and deceit that engulfed everything I once believed. I was betrayed. With a quickness I lunged towards my dropped TT33¹. I attempted to confront my newfound enemy, only to fall into the darkness of unconsciousness.

I awoke into the bindings of a cable's steely grasp. Boris grinned. "You will only find you are but a pawn in the hand of the mighty Lasker²; an expendable figure who shall succumb to manipulation, as you have witnessed." He said. I had no energy nor will to speak.

Seeing the look of utter bewilderment upon my face he elaborated; "War is like a game. A game of strategy. First, you must move the pawns. Create a distraction. We, the Germans, have forged an alliance. A consortium, with the common goal to destroy Britain's power. Next, are the bishops and rooks. We're forming an internal power among our confederate by assisting to weaken Russian resistance. A front line support."

This was madness! I knew I must escape from this evil in which I was ensnared. I searched my surroundings for an object with which to free myself.

"Sacrifice the queen." Boris continued, "The Britons will never suspect a seemingly weak power to attack. Jump the knight. We will get behind the backs of our allies, at which point we shall destroy them from the inside. Checkmate. We shall use our forces and armaments available to become the dominant world power! Your usefulness shall come soon enough!"

I discovered Dragovich laying nearby, evidentially neglected. Seeing he still wore his vest I knew he withheld a knife. An artillery shell exploded nearby, shaking the inside of the building. Seizing this opportunity, I slid over to him, pulled out his Kizlyar³, and freed myself of my restraint.

"Halt!" Boris shouted. "Nach ihm!⁴" The German officers obeyed and raised their SMGs, ordering me to remain motionless. I threw myself behind the central pillar to avoid their fire. "Nein!" Boris exclaimed, "Do not shoot him! He has intelligence we need to infiltrate the U.S. Armory!"

While missing me, the shots from their SMGs destroyed the roof support of the crumbling structure; the roof collapsed a moment later. Surviving the destruction, I began to venture outside, passing an injured Boris and two German officers, now buried in rubble. I hadn't made it very far when I received a shot to my right thigh. I fell to the ground in agony as Boris, SMG at side, approached. He must have been better off than he appeared.

Still ahead, I limped out of the building, seeking to find a place to hide and message for help. Neither of us had gotten far, however, when we were confronted by a platoon of advancing tanks. American tanks! At last support had arrived! The line halted 20 metres outward from our current position. American General George S. Patton⁵ exited through the hatch.

Turning in my direction Boris explained, "Allow me to introduce to you our allies, the U.S. Army!"

Training his semi-auto on me, Patton spoke, "You have been played, Major Viktor! Checkmate."

¹TT33 - Russian semi-auto pistol, military standard from 1930-1952.

²Lasker - German World Champion Chess player, held title from 1894-1921, used
extraordinary tactical abilities to save and win the game even in difficult positions.

^{3 Kizlyar - Tactical Russian-made Knife}

⁴"Nach ihm" - German translation for; "Get him!"

^{5 Brigadier General George S. Patton - WW2 General, known for unpredictable, daring,}

^{and sometimes questionable actions.}

Edited November 24, 2014 by AdustioAtqueDelerent

ChrisTkiller007 · November 3, 2014

RESERVED

hello1758 · November 3, 2014

RESERVED

hello1758

Penguin40 · November 3, 2014

Okay, writing Part 2 just so that you can understand my story.

Part 2: The Enemy and the Explosions

A much louder and deeper voice soon came from the Smoky, first a shot, and then talking, "Think again, Mr Thunder! You cannot face a Smoky XT with just a Thunder M3! Smoky-fire, READY!". Hundreds of Smoky XTs suddenly appeared from nowhere, targeting the Thunder, whose tank suddenly glowed, as two words shone on the front of the Thunder's hull in golden, "THUNDER STRIKE". Nine more Thunder M3s, all fully micro-upgraded, appeared where the two words appeared and all ten Thunders shot the Smoky XT, as many tanks exploded including the Smoky XT army. The main Smoky XT vanished into thin air, as the Thunder suddenly flipped over without any reason, as it exploded, leaving the driver alive...

Part 3: Railgun XT

The destroyed Thunder tank suddenly vanished, as another tank appeared at it's place with an unknown version of the Railgun. Thin air suddenly surrounded the new tank, as it changed into the Smoky XT tank and multiple other turrets, all unknown versions of turrets. One, however, looked like a completely unknown and new weapon which suddenly transformed into a dynamite, with just 15 minutes left to detonate."So, you trapped me like that, Alex Smoke. Well, face the RAILGUN XT!", the Thunder suddenly shouted, as he got into the tank and charged the Railgun. At once the Smoky XT tank flew backwards as the whole area suddenly turned into an area of Rio.The Smoky XT (which was still going backwards) fell down the bridge and landed on the area below, and part of the turret exploded, resulting in something terrible. The Thunder said, "Sorry, Mr Alex Smoke" as he suddenly fell down, having lost consciousness......

Kevred · November 3, 2014

Okay, writing Part 2 just so that you can understand my story.

Part 2: The Enemy and the Explosions

A much louder and deeper voice soon came from the Smoky, first a shot, and then talking, "Think again, Mr Thunder! You cannot face a Smoky XT with just a Thunder M3! Smoky-fire, READY!". Hundreds of Smoky XTs suddenly appeared from nowhere, targeting the Thunder, whose tank suddenly glowed, as two words shone on the front of the Thunder's hull in golden, "THUNDER STRIKE". Nine more Thunder M3s, all fully micro-upgraded, appeared where the two words appeared and all ten Thunders shot the Smoky XT, as many tanks exploded including the Smoky XT army. The main Smoky XT vanished into thin air, as the Thunder suddenly flipped over without any reason, as it exploded, leaving the driver alive...

Part 3: Railgun XT

The destroyed Thunder tank suddenly vanished, as another tank appeared at it's place with an unknown version of the Railgun. Thin air suddenly surrounded the new tank, as it changed into the Smoky XT tank and multiple other turrets, all unknown versions of turrets. One, however, looked like a completely unknown and new weapon which suddenly transformed into a dynamite, with just 15 minutes left to detonate."So, you trapped me like that, Alex Smoke. Well, face the RAILGUN XT!", the Thunder suddenly shouted, as he got into the tank and charged the Railgun. At once the Smoky XT tank flew backwards as the whole area suddenly turned into an area of Rio.The Smoky XT (which was still going backwards) fell down the bridge and landed on the area below, and part of the turret exploded, resulting in something terrible. The Thunder said, "Sorry, Mr Alex Smoke" as he suddenly fell down, having lost consciousness......

That isn't allowed you must CONTINUE the story...

boppyeric · November 3, 2014

Nickname:boppyeric Part 3: Command

'No! This can't be happening!' As I indulge these series of events I finally clear my head and think. "Why"? I say. I look up at Boris, he grins wildly and says "Did you really think the Russian pigs were going to win this war?" The thoughts stagger in my brain and that's when I realize it. Boris wasn't Russian. He lifts me up and exclaims"I will rule this world"! "But wait, Adolf Hitler...is he not your strength?" I reply. The two German soldiers suddenly understand what this situation is turning into.They rush into Boris, right before 2 gunshots stop them in their tracks. I stumble back before I trip over Dragovich. The smell of blood is near and shells of our tanks are ringing. Then, it's black. I wake up and see Boris looming over me. My ears are ringing. Gunshots. "Mom"? I smell gunpowder. "Dad"? I wake up to see a picture of my dad, Anton Bazorov, he was a Captain back in the old Russia days. He had been assassinated and betrayed by his brother, Bogdan Bazorov. I need to fight for nana. I really do. I feel a sting on my face. What is this horrendous feeling? I wake up. It's not Boris, I call out "Anybody here?" Silence. I look up above me and see that I'm tied up. I need to squint through this intense darkness to see. 'What is it?' I wonder. I hear a sound. I see movement from within the darkness. "Boris"? I say. I hear a hissing sound. 'A snake?' I think. 'What is a snake doing here?' A tingly feeling remains on my forehead. I wipe off a liquid with with my hand. It feels soft. I lick it. My saliva mixs and I immediately know by instinct what this liquid is. Blood. I hear multiple footsteps. Boris accompanied by 2 soldiers come inside and Boris takes me by the chest. He punches me over and over. He leaves me to bleed to death as he snickers and walks out. I slowly bleed. I finally realize it. No one is coming to save me. I suddenly feel disgusted. I thought I knew that you were taking risks to enlist as a soldier, I thought I knew. I cry. I cry as I think about my dad, is this how he felt when he slowly faded away? The last thing I hear "For France"! I don't feel anything, I don't hear anything as death lurks around the corner I realize I am broken by agony but I don't move. Instead, I stay....

MeepTheObliberator · November 4, 2014

"Boris! I thought you were-" I break off, seeing the smile on his face. It is not a nice one. Boris gestures and the owner of the hairy arms I saw earlier steps out of the shadows. I am confused and I do not respond, only when the man starts to tie my arms together with rope do I sense that something is amiss. The big man searches me. He does his job thoroughly, even finding the small firearm I have concealed in a pouch in my pants. I try to protest, saying, "Boris, what is the meaning of this? Why is this-"

Boris cuts me off, saying, "Knock him out."

The last thing I see is a fist coming towards me....

When I regain consciousness, the first thing I see is Boris. I try to move and realise my arms and legs have been tied up. I a in a small, windowless room with a table beside me. the walls are made of stone. I start to panic. "Boris-"

"Don't worry, I will explain everything. I am here to interrogate you for information that is vital for Germany's survival in the war."

I stare at him, confused. "So you were actually a spy in the army?"

"Yes." Boris continues, "Let me tell you my story....

"I was just a young teenager of fifteen years when the war reached Germany. A bomb hit our neighbourhood, reducing the building to rubble and killing my parents. I only survived because I was visiting friends in another neighbourhood then. I was devastated. But do you know what was the worst part? when I entered the army, and asked around to find out who had been responsible for the bombings. Do you know who he was?"

I stare at him, dumbfounded. He answers the question himself, spits out the words. "Your father."

I recall what I know about my father's job. He was a military adviser then, until he was assassinated by the enemy.

Boris screams, "He ruined my life!" Shudders with the effort, seems to calm down a little. He says, "Now, I will make him pay. since someone else got to him before me, the next best choice is to hurt you..."

His voice trails off, calculating. I turn about and try to find out if I can get free of the ropes that bind me.

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, brother." The last word comes out as a cold intonation, carrying none of the warmth it should be conveying.

Boris whips out a knife and raises the steel blade above my head. I brace myself for the inevitable. My life flashes before my eyes. I can only wait...

The wall explodes.

Edited November 4, 2014 by MeepTheObliberator

TriNitroToIuene · November 4, 2014

And congrats to Kevred, also on being a reporter.

Edited November 4, 2014 by TriNitroToIuene

Kevred · November 4, 2014

And congrats to Kevred, also on being a reporter.

Thanks :)

Aditya15723 · November 4, 2014

[DELETED] :P

Edited November 6, 2014 by Aditya15723

Challenge	Start Date	End Date
1	15.08	29.08
2	29.08	05.09
3	05.09	12.09
4	12.09	19.09
5	19.09	26.09
6	26.09	3.10
7	3.10	10.10
8	10.10	17.10

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