Fanon:Assault

Assault is the ninth episode of the Revolution series by WikiBuilder1147, and. It depicts the adventures of a group of youngsters as they fight against the oppressive regime under which they live their lives in constant scrutiny and fear.

Chapter 1
Bullets. Everywhere. Small, lethal projectiles flung themselves back and forth across the battlefield, hitting their targets sometimes with deadly precision. Artillery fire rang out as whole companies of soldiers and entire buildings were wiped out instantly. Explosions wracked the scene. Shouts and screams could be heard all over the combat zone.

A croupier stick pushed a small figure depicting an artillery unit up across a map of Bridgeport.

"We'll send in our mobile artillery through the city," General Harry Miller proposed, "and once the main defences have been wiped out, the infantry will come in to mop up any remaining resistance."

"But sir," Lieutenant-General Benjamin Faulkner protested. "I think it'd be a lot better if we send in the infantry directly behind the artillery. Our mobile units would be able to provide cover for the troops." He used his stick to push an infantry figure directly behind the artillery unit.

Major-General Miami Hodgson stood beside Ben silently, staring blankly at the map before her.

"I agree," Lieutenant-General Daniel Geraldton concurred. "Lieutenant-General Faulkner's strategy is sound. If we send in infantry at the same time as the mobile units, the soldiers could run up behind the jeeps, hidden behind them. The jeeps would provide cover and therefore this approach would be much safer and more efficient."

There was a short moment of silence. Harry rubbed his chin with his hand. He hadn't shaved for some time, so his stubble had slowly transformed into a short, black beard.

Harry finally nodded. "Yeah, that's a good idea." The other generals around him sighed with relief.

Ben approached Colonel Alex Townsend. The two watched as a squad pushed a bogey shell into a cannon.

"BRACE!" cried the commander. The cannon's barrel shot backwards as it fired the shell into the woods.

Alex turned to Ben. "Good morning, sir." He saluted Ben. Ben saluted back.

"I really have to get used to this," Ben mumbled. Alex laughed.

"Don't worry Be-- er…sir," Alex said. "It's just a hierarchy. When this is all over, I can call you by name again." Ben and Alex both burst into laughter.

Ben observed the squad as they continued to push shells into the cannon and cover their ears as the cannon fired the projectile into the distance. Then, he frowned.

"A few of them look a bit…pale."

"They say they don't feel too good," Alex replied. "But they'll pull through. No biggie. Probably just a small bug going around, that's all."

Ben nodded in consideration. "Well, I'll leave you to it, Colonel Townsend."

"With pleasure, sir," Alex saluted again. Ben saluted back before turning the other way and walking off.

As he walked past other kids, he noticed a few of them were quite washed out too. This had to be more than a small bug. He approached another boy preparing his belongings.

"Hey, soldier," Ben said.

"Good morning, sir," the boy saluted. Ben waved his hand uncaringly.

"No, no, put that hand down," Ben said. "We're both off duty. Just call me Ben, hey?"

"Err…," the boy was clearly confused. Then he stuck his hand out. Ben shook it. "Private Thomas Rainer. 5th Squad."

"Glad to meet you, Tom," Ben replied. He smiled. Tom eventually found his courage and smiled back. Then, Ben took a seat next to him.

"So, Tom," Ben said. "How're things going for you? You settling in alright?"

"Yeah, I guess," Tom carefully removed a photo frame from his shoulder bag. "I miss my family though. I hope they'll be alright."

Ben patted Tom's back in sympathy. "I'm sure they're fine. They'll just be a bit worried, that's all."

The two then stared blankly into the distance, watching the sun approach its apex.

"Say," Ben said after a short period of silence. "Have you seen any…pale folks around lately?"

"Yeah," Tom replied. "A few of my roommates have been complaining about headaches and stuff. A few of them have even said their crap looks weird."

"Hmm," Ben mumbled in contemplation. "Okay, I should go now. Nice to meet you, soldier." He stood up to leave. Tom stood as well and saluted. Both smiled. Ben walked away.

He continued his inspection of the camp grounds. many walked past him. Some saluted. He quickly saluted back. More still were ashen-faced.

"Good morning, sir," a girl said to him.

"Morning," Ben nodded back. They walked past each other. The girl then started groaning in pain, clutching her stomach. She fell onto her knees. Ben, along with several others, turned instantly to help her.

"Are you alright?" Ben asked in panic. The girl put a hand up to stop Ben and any others coming close to her. Her body arched forward. She coughed several times before vomiting violently. The crowd began screaming in disgust. The girl stopped. Her breathing was quick and slightly laboured. She coughed again, then started retching all over again.

Ben turned to the nearest person. "Go to sick bay and get the Doctor and a gurney here. Hurry!" A man nodded and ran off towards sick bay.

When the man returned with Doctor Renhald, Renhald approached the girl slowly, taking several deep breaths before diving in to assist her.

"Are you feeling alright now?" the Doctor asked her. She nodded. Then she started gagging. Renhald patted her back gently.

"It's okay. We'll take you to sick bay." Renhald said. He beckoned forth several medics carrying a gurney. They loaded the girl onto it before lifting it and taking it back to sick bay.

"This is bad," Renhald sighed. "There've already been ten cases of this today." He shook his head before walking after his medics.

Chapter 2
"All senior officers, please report to sick bay immediately," the voice of Doctor Renhald came over the loudspeaker. Ben opened his eyes. He felt for his alarm clock instinctually but it wasn't there. Then he remembered. He looked at his watch.

Five-thirty in the morning.

"Damn it," he muttered as he rose out of bed. Miami got up as well. He quickly put his uniform on over his pyjamas. She did the same Then they left the room, heading for sick bay.

As it was near the end of autumn, the nights had gotten longer, and much colder. Ben shivered and put his hands over their counterparts' forearms and rubbed them vigorously in an attempt to produce heat. Miami simply walked. Their breaths crystallised in the early morning air.

When the duo finally reached sick bay, they found all the other senior officers were already assembled.

"Sorry we're late," Ben said. He and Miami joined their fellow soldiers, standing next to Alex, who was also there. Doctor Renhald began to speak.

"While some of you were having your beauty sleep," Renhald began, "I spent the night analysing these patients, trying to identify the sickness that is afflicting my patients."

"And what did you find, Doctor?" Harry asked.

Renhald bowed his head. "Let's just say," he said quietly. "I don't have very good news."

Ben and Alex looked glanced at each other in fear.

"I took samples of each patient's blood and tested them," the Doctor explained. "What I found, were populations of bacteria known as Vibrio cholerae."

"Vibrio cholerae?" Harry said.

"Vibrio cholerae is the bacterium that causes cholera, hence the name," Renhald replied. "I went to check our water tank, and I found that the water there is chockfull of these little devils. I also analysed the environment of this area."

"And?" Daniel Geraldton spoke up.

The Doctor gulped. "There is absolutely no trace of V cholerae in the area. Therefore, it can only mean one thing."

"What?" Ben gasped anxiously. Tension in the room was high.

"The presence of the bacteria in the water was not an accident," said Doctor Renhald. "Someone is trying to kill us."

To be continued...