Dimensional Travels: World at War-Chapter 66: Calming Tides

Eric looked at the Phoenix and shrugged.

"Sure, I may be some demigod thing, but that doesn’t mean jack shit to me." He flicked his chew, packing a wad in his lip.

"I am a Husband, and a father to a beautiful kid. Amother is on the way, and I am an American soldier. That’s all that matters right now. So if you want to sit back and watch? Sure. That’s fine I guess. More power to you."

Dreha laughed, his roar causing the vehicle to shake as it moved towards the Sphere. "I have never met such a bold human before!" He said while sitting back in his chair. "Most fear me, but you? BAHAHAHA. Tell me, human. Are most likely you in your world?"

Eric thought for a second, his own smirk answering the phoenix. "Why do I always get along with the weird ones?" He mused before answering Dreha. "No. Most of them would have probably taken a picture or ran away. You might meet a Karen or two that would call the cops."

More laughter shook the vehicle. "Ah, such bold answers. Human, I shall accompany you! I feel as if I will be more entertained around you then fighting those fools in the sky!"

Eric shook his head as he walked into the city Eric looked around, noticing no one was staring at the life sized human torch standing next to him. "Hey, Dreha. Why is no one reacting to you?" He asked as another civilian walked right through the Phoenix.

"Those of us in the immortal plane can choose what interacts with us, or who sees us. I am choosing not to reveal myself or be interacted with. You can see me because I am allowing you to."

"Interesting. I would kill to have an ability like that." Eric chuckled.

Dreha shrugged. "If that is how you go about attaining immortality, I am not one to judge."

Eric stopped, turning around. For the first time he was speechless. Thinking it would be better for his sanity, he continued to the hotel his targets were at. He had a platoon to catch up with.

Ricky laughed while shooting another tequila bottle with his new nerf gun. True to his redneck ways, he had reverse engineered a nerf gun to shoot coins instead of foam darts. The crowd behind him cheered as he did so, applause erupted as a brunette slid her arms around his neck.

"That is like... so cool!" She shouted with a drunken smile. "Wanna come back to m-"

The party was interrupted as a man entered the room. He was dressed in the US Army OCP’s, everyone in the room knew who he was. Master Sergeant Dryer. A tik tok star after he single handedly saved Vegas with commanding the battalion against Biform wolves and empire forces.

"Every civilian in here, out. Now." He commanded, the music stopped as everyone obeyed. Once the room was empty except for fifteen men all eyeing him warily, he sat on the couch. "So... I see you guys are having fun." He remarked, looking around at the booze, bikini tops, and destroyed hotel room.

Ricky gulped. "Sarn’t..." he began.

"Save it." Eric said, waving his hand. "I am not here to chastise you. I know you haven’t changed since those first days in Syria. I came here because truthfully, I need your help. We’ve had each other’s backs before. How about one last ride together?"

One of the other soldiers sat down next to Ricky. "If you’re asking for us, it must be something big. Knowing you, I woulda thought you would have your own platoon of vict- i mean soldiers." The room erupted in laughter. Everyone here knew that Eric did not train other’s lightly.

"They’re young. I can trust them with a lot, but this kind of mission? I need you guys. This is an in and out rescue with no operational oversight, and no clean extraction options."

Ricky patted the man next to him on the back. "Fuck yeah Jonny. We get to relive the glory days with Master Sergeant Dryer."

Jonny sighed. "Well... at least it won’t be boring."

"So Sarn’t, when are we leaving?" Another man said while finishing his drink.

Eric chuckled while nodding his head. "Derphy. Good to see you man."

"We leave tomorrow at 1000. I will give you enough time to pack up and get sober. I assume you all brought some gear?"

Mischievous nods and chuckles answered his question, and Eric sighed. He rubbed his face while standing up. "See you gents in the morning then."

Before Eric could leave, Derphy called out "Hey Sarge. I see you got a wedding ring. A chick finally locked you down, eh?"

Eric paused, his hand on the doorknob. "Don’t call me that, fucker." A smirk broke past his bearing, and he closed the door behind him as a room full of laughter exploded behind him.

"Those men seem to trust you implicitly." Dreha said as he phased through a wall. "Are they old friends?"

"Yeah, something like that. We were more like brothers at one point. Unfortunately bureacracy got in the way, and I was sent to a different unit."

For once Dreha was silent. He was familiar with that same weight.

Back at Hood Hill, Eric walked back to the command room. Each leader was already seated as they awaited his arrival. "Well sir, we leave at 1000 tomorrow. They were not fit for duty, so I gave them time to rest and recover."

Miher crossed his arms. "Do you not have your own soldiers?" The squeaking of a chair broke the silence as Vale leaned back in his chair.

"Sir, we have a proven asset that I have worked with for years in the past. For this operation, their experience and unorthodox methods will be better than soldiers who are still green." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

A pen dropped and rolled on the floor, a few heads turned. Eric picked it up and handed it back to the officer.

Milano handed Miher a document, silently opening it and leaving a page sitting in front of the other general. "That is why those men should go." He pointed a pen at a specific paragraph on the page.

Dreha moved over, phasing between the men as he read the passage from over the General’s shoulders. "You did what?"

Eric ignored the Phoenix while Miher read the document. He stopped, his finger on a specific word "Extraction."

Miher looked up from the page, then to the other leaders in the room reading the same report. He took his glasses off, nodding once. "Do it."

Back at home, Eric walked through the door to...

"SURPRISE!"

His family and friends were all standing around streamers and banners. Someone had taped "happy birthday" to the wall.

"Huh. I forgot."

Mia chuckled as she walked up to him. "Happy Birthday." She said gently. Jessica came up and hugged him as well. Jessica had only been in their lives for two months, but Eric thought of her as his daughter. He smiled as he walked in the door, his daughter and wife at his side.

"Hey, he finally smiled!" Kamer yelled, and the room filled with laughter. Eric glared at Kamer, but patted the man on the back.

"Shut up you damn dinosaur." Eric responded, chuckling. Everyone sat down to eat. Dreha stood in the background, his own smile on his face. "A family man, and soldier of duty. Few mortals that I have seen balance as well as you do. Yes. I made the right choice by following you."

Food was served. He ate. He laughed. He glowered at Kamer. He got on to Jessica for being on her phone too much. His arm never left Mia’s waist. For once, he let his body relax. He knew it wouldn’t last long.

After everyone left, Mia and Jessica helped him clean the house up. Jessica did the dishes while Mia wiped counters. Eric cleared the tables and living room. They then sat in the living room. No one spoke.

"You’re leaving again?" Jessica finally said, looking up at Eric.

"Yes." He said gently, hugging the young woman. She sighed in response, nuzzling into his chest. "Okay. I’ll hold down the fort here. Nothing will happen to mom on my watch." She said gently, a brave smile on her face.

Mia froze. Jessica had called her mom. She reached down to touch Jessica’s hand. No one corrected her.

Jessica didn’t seem to notice. She leaned against Eric’s shoulder as her body relaxed. Her eyes were half closed as she held onto him. Mia’s fingers clasped around Jessica’s, almost as if she was afraid the peace may shatter if she moved too fast.

Eric held them both. He stroked Mia’s hair as they looked into each other’s eyes. They let the silence speak for them as nothing existed except for their touch. Eric sank into the couch, wishing this moment could last forever.