Gears of War 3: The Aftermath

On the island of Azura. The halls of the large beautiful hotel was covered in the bodies of fallen gears and locust. But it was a small price to pay as the war was finally over. The Locust and Lambet were gone. On the roof of the hotel Queen Myrrah lay in a pool of her own blood from a stab wound in her chest.

With Adam Fenix's neutron bomb he was able to save all of humanity but at the cost of his own life.

Now the remaining of the gears gathered outside the hotel to celebrate the victory they've hoped for so long. Delta Squad was amongst them.

Marcus Fenix walked out of the hotel and into the bright sun. It was over, finally done but at what cost? Marcus had not only lost his father who he was never able to save, but also his best friend who sacrificed his life to ensure everyone else survived. To Marcus it seemed like there was no tomorrow.

He looked around and saw the joy coming from all the other gears as they stood around and rejoiced. Turning around and looking Marcus saw the group of gears who had been with him throughout this whole adventure.

Augustus Cole and Damon Baird two gears that he'd been with since he got out of prison and joined back into this war.

Anya Stroud the operations officer turned frontline solider in these last years of the war.

Clayton Carmine, one of two of the remaining Carmine brothers.

Sam Bryne another female gear who had served on Cole's squad. She had a very good knack for annoy the hell out of Baird.

Marcus then looked from his fellow gears and then looked forward. The sun was shining out on the horizon. Each gear smiled at the overwhelming fact that it was finally over. Some Gears were talking about going in and partying as a way to 'Celebrate'. But Marcus was in no mood for merrymaking for there was a large hole in his heart, the others were happy but he felt empty inside. Marcus then felt is hands began to tremble. He looked down as he held his Lancer in his hands. How many lives had he taken with it?

Marcus then threw the Lancer aside and then made his way towards the beach. Removing his armor as he went and discarding it to the ground.

As he left his gear comrades gathered together and watched him walk off. Baird and Cole leaned on the railing and watched him as Anya stepped forward and put her hand on her chest.

Marcus continued to walk onto the beach stomping his great big boots in the sand leaving large footprints. He discarded his gloves now tossing them aside. The tide came in for a moment and washed across his boots.

The Marcus reached to the top of his head and pulled off his bandana letting his short black hair show and blow in the breeze.

Moments of silence followed after as Marcus was just alone with his thoughts as he sat there and gazed off into the sunset.

He didn't look over but Marcus then began to hear the frail sound of footsteps scrunching down on the sand. It got louder and louder until the person was right next to him.

It was Anya she knelt down next to Marcus and then put her hand on Marcus' back. He continued to look out onto the horizon with a look of disbelief on his face.

"Marcus whatever it takes, I'm here." She said.

"No we're all here." Said a voice. Anya turned around as Cole, Baird, Sam, Carmine, and Dizzy all walked towards them.

Marcus continued to look out into the horizon with a dull look on his face. Anya felt the need to say something but could not find the words to help heal Marcus' wounded heart. She just reached over and held Marcus' hand. Then Cole and Baird walked up behind Marcus.

"They did what they had to do." Said Baird."Just like we did what we had to do." Marcus turned and faced his two comrades.

Then the two male gears leaned down, wrapped their arms around Marcus and embraced him. Then after a few moments Marcus reached up and wrapped his arm on Cole's back. Then Anya stood up and embraced Marcus from his other side.

Carmine, Dizzy, and Sam looked at each other. Carmine shrugged his shoulders and then walked up and did the same as the others were doing; Sam and Dizzy did as well.

Then after a few moments they all broke away and stood over Marcus. Then Cole walked over and put his hand on Marcus' shoulder.

"We'll be waiting for you inside big man." He said. Marcus nodded his head slightly. Then Cole gave Marcus a reaffirming nudge before turning and walking away. Then Baird walked over and tapped Marcus on his back. Then one by one everyone got up tapped Marcus on the shoulder and went up back into the hotel.

Loud Music could be heard as far as the beach.

Anya stood next to Marcus, who now looked down to the ground. Anya reached out her hand and touched Marcus on the side of his face. Then she leaned forward and cupped his chin in her hand and turned him to face her.

Then the two stayed like that for a few moments, but those moments felt like forever as they read each other over.

"Anya." Called out Baird. Anya turned and faced him. Baird stood next to Cole and both of them gave her reassuring nods to follow them.

Anya looked back at Marcus.

"They'd both want you to move on." She said to Marcus."Do it for them." Then she slowly began to walk away but did not release her hand from his head. But as she walked she got farther and farther from him and as she walked he kept moving his head in her hand. But then finally she was out of reached and her hand slid right off his face.

Then as Anya kept walking the two continued to eye each other. Then at the same time they look away, Marcus turning back to the sunset and Anya meeting up with the others.

Dizzy, Clayton, Sam, and Anya began to walk into the hotel. But Anya looked back and saw that Baird and Cole were not following.

The two stood along the railing watching Marcus. Anya quickly turned back to them.

"Do you think he'll be ok?" asked Anya to Baird and Cole as she walked towards them. Baird and Cole exchanged looks for a moment. Anya looked at the both of their faces and became nervous at their stressed looks.

"He'll be fine." Said Baird. As he looked back at Marcus."He just needs some time to himself for a while, to think things over."

"Hey." Called Sam's voice. The three tuned around and faced her."Are you all coming or not?"

"Ah Hell ya." Said Cole as he turned around to her."The Cole train about to get his drink on." The Cole began bounding inside.

"Sure one drink wouldn't hurt." Said Baird as he followed his friend inside."But I really wanna go check out this disk Marcus' dad gave me." Then he pulled the disk out of his pocket and examined it while walking forward.

"Don't be such a pussy." Said Sam as she 'playfully; pushed Baird as he passed her."Come on, sit down have a few drinks." Baird turned to her with an annoyed look and was about to retaliate but then Cole stepped in.

"Hey, hey come on now." He said."This should be a time for celebrating. Come on." He said pushing the two, but when he pushed them they bumped into each other. Then he stepped passed Baird knocking him into Sam more."Let's go pound a few." Yelled Cole his voice echoing as his figure retreated down the hallway.

Sam and Baird stood there for a few moments, the two only inches from the other's face. Baird was the first to break away as he turned his gaze from her and then followed after Cole.

Sam stood there in the aftermath of the two men's leave. Then she turned to see Anya still standing there.

"Anya you coming?" she asked her fellow female gear. Anya gazed out and saw Marcus still sitting on his rock looking out into the distance.

"Yes I'm coming." She replied. Then she finally turned and walked away to join the others.

Inside the bar was a zoo. It was packed full of gears as they sat around drinking heavily.

Five of them stood up as a band and performed the song 'The Gears of War'. The band began jamming on the guitar and drums, as the lead singer began.

"Gold lancers, Long shots and Drone guts." He sang."C-O-G got the swat gotta blood lust. Unleash the Krill, fuck a boom shield. The Hammer of Dawn'll make the locust kneel. I'm a Hammerburst pro- Headshot Bersekeres with a Torque bow. I give a fuck about horde. OG It's Marcus Fenix from the Pendulum wars." Looking out into the crowd the gears drank and slammed their glasses onto the tables, others cracked them together.

At that time the other gears quickly came in. They examined the area and noticed the room was heavily packed.

"Jesus it's like a zoo in here." Said Anya."Where are we gonna find a place to sit." Then on cue fortune smiled on them.

"Hey guys." Called a familiar voice. The four turned over to see Carmine waving to them."Over here." He called as he waved them over.

"Must be our lucky day." Said Anya as they walked over to Carmine.

"My main man Carmine's always got it." Said Cole as he smacked Clayton on his helmet. It was then that they noticed that Carmine was sitting down with Dizzy.

"How y'all doing?" asked Dizzy.

"We're fine now." Said Anya as she sat down."Now that this is all over." Cole took a seat as well.

Baird and Sam stood next to one chair. Baird grabbed the back of it and made it seem as if he was offering to pull it out for Sam to sit in.

She approached it, but then when she got close enough Baird glided from his spot into the seat. Then he looked at Sam with a look of triumph. Sam signed angrily and the pulled up another chair next to Baird.

"So is it just you two?" asked Cole.

"No we've got Jace getting the drinks." Told Carmine.

"Better tell 'em to get more since they've arrived." Suggested Dizzy.

"Good idea." Said Carmine. He then turned in his seat and scanned the bar for Jace. Then he found him and began calling."Hey Jace, Jace." But Jace didn't respond. So then Carmine got up and walked over to him.

Then Dizzy turned to the group.

"How's Marcus doing?" he asked.

"He'll be alright." Said Cole as he leaned forward in his chair.

"He probably just wants to be left alone for now." Said Baird.

"Look at you." Chuckled Sam."With all your touchy-feely ideas." She said as she pinched Baird's cheek. Baird shook her off him and replied.

"The guy just lost his best friend and his father in the same day." He told."He's aloud to be as emotional as he wants, and I'm ok with that." Then he gave Sam an annoyed look to which Sam replied by grilling him down and the two sat like that for a few moments.

Cole, Anya, and Dizzy looked at each other puzzled looks and raised brows.

Just then Carmine and Jace returned with the drinks.

"Order up." Said Carmine as he began passing the drinks around, Jace did as well. Then everyone sat down with their large beer mug before them.

"Cheers." Said Jace as he held his mug out. Everyone then held their's up."To.. to."

"To Tomorrow." Said Anya.

"To Tomorrow." Said everyone. Then they all banged their glasses together and drank. They leaned their heads back and chugged.

Everyone was drinking fine but after a few seconds Baird began to spit up some of his beer. He wasn't a very good drinker so after a few moments he set his glass down, it wasn't even half empty and began coughing.

"You alright baby?" asked Cole as he patted his friend on the back. Everyone now set their glasses down, most of them empty and looked over to Baird.

"You know I'm not a good drinker Cole." Said Baird as he looked over at him. He felt self-conscious as he knew the eyes of everyone at the table was on him.

"Your glass isn't even half empty." Pointed out Carmine.

"God your such a pansy Baird." Said Sam as she nudged Baird's shoulder.

Baird then dragged his hands across the table and stood up.

"That's it." He said as he waved his hands."Fuck you." He said pointing to Sam."Fuck you." He said turning to Cole, although his friend did nothing he'd knew what he'd do next."And especiaslly Fuck you." He said pointing to Jace. Then Baird turned and stormed off.

"What did I do?" asked Jace.

"Don't worry guys." Said Cole as he turned to the table."He's just a little pissy cause he's a light drinker. You guys order another round and I'll be back with him shortly." Then Cole took off after Baird.

"Why'd you have to do that Sam?" asked Anya.

"Do what?" asked Sam.

"Call him names, run him down all the time." Told Anya.

"I was only teasing him." Replied Sam. Dizzy, Jace and Carmine's heads moved back and forth between the two female gears depending on who was talking."It's not my fault if he can't handle it."

"But Why?" asked Anya. Sam feel silent and hung her head nervously. "We're all just trying to have a good time." Said Anya."Why don't you go tell Baird your sorry so he'll come back and we can continue to have fun."

Sam looked up at Anya, then at the faces of Jace, Dizzy, and Carmine. Their faces encouraged Anya.

"Fine, fine" groaned Sam as she stood up. Then she stood up and went to go meet Baird and Cole.

But somewhere deep down inside she was trying to hide her joy.

Meanwhile Cole followed after Baird. He caught up to his friend and grabbed him just as he was about to head out the door.

He grabbed Baird and turned him round.

"Easy Damon." Said Cole as he moved the struggling Baird.

"Don't say that." Said Baird."You know I hate being called by my first name."

"Damon, why don't you be a good boy and come back to drink." Said Cole.

"Fuck you mom." Replied Baird."I'm gonna go off and do me." Cole wrapped his arm around Baird.

"That's cute Baird."he said as he did so."But why don't you forget 'bout that for a while and go-" Just then the two bumped into Sam.

"What do you want?" asked Baird as he saw her.

"Baird." She began."I would like to apologize and invite you to come back drinking with us." Baird looked at her with a skeptical look.

"Who put you up to this?" he asked."Was it Carmine?"

"No, no." said Sam."I felt obligated to."

"Uh-huh." Replied Baird with a tone saying 'Bullshit'.

"See Damon." Said Cole. Sam snickered at hearing his first name which made Baird groan."The nice lady apologized now go be a good boy and sit down." Then Cole pushed Baird forward back towards the table and Baird kept walking. Cole was about to do the same until Sam grabbed him by his armor and turned him to her.

"What are you doing?" asked Cole.

"Cole I need you to do me a favor." Said Sam.

"And what is that?" asked Cole.

"I need you to get Baird good and drunk." Told Sam.

"Why?" asked Baird. Sam bit her lip, then slowly looked around. She waved her hand motioning for Cole to come in close. Cole leaned down with an odd look on his face. Then Sam leaned forward and whispered into his ear. Cole listened and his eyes bugged wide open. When Sam was finished she stood back up and bit her lip again while waiting for Cole's reply.

Cole looked over his shoulder at Baird and then back to Sam. He pointed to Baird, Sam nodded. Then Cole pointed to her, Sam nodded. Cole then looked forward still with those bug eyes. Then he looked at Sam and shrugged his shoulders in a 'why not' fashion.

"Yes." Said Sam."Thank you Cole." She said walking past him.

Cole was still speechless from the whole thing he turned and watched Sam go. Then he kicked into gear and went about to complete his mission.

At the table Baird approached the table.

"Back to stay Baird?" asked Carmine. At that time Sam just returned as well.

"If I can handle it." He said glaring at Sam. Then Baird leaned back to sit down. But then Cole swooped by and grabbed him.

"Na Baird." He said as he dragged him away."We've got something different planned for you."

"Fuck this!" exclaimed Baird as Cole dragged him off. Cole then looked back at Sam and winked to which Sam winked back. Then Sam turned back to the rest of the gears at the table.

"What the hell was that?" asked Carmine.

"What was what?" asked Sam slyly.

"The Baird leaving, but coming back and leaving again." Said Carmine.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Said Sam as she picked up her mug and began drinking.

Meanwhile outside Marcus still pondered amongst his thoughts. He recalled his father and how he and Dom had tried to save him.

'It's ironic' Marcus thought. The two people he cared about most had saved everyone else's lives, but not themselves. Marcus then rubbed his eyes with his hands. So many things were left unsaid between the father and the son, and there wasn't enough time.

And then it hit him. The disc his father gave to Baird. It had recordings of him. Marcus perked up.

'Maybe the disc has records of what his father had to say' Marcus thought. Then Marcus jumped to his feet and ran into the hotel, in the hopes of finding Baird and the disc.

Inside Cole and moved Baird over to the bar and proceeded to have Baird 'teach' him shots, the only thing Baird could do. And Baird and taken a lot of shots.

"So is it salt, drink, lime?" asked Cole as he sat before and very tipsy Baird.

"No, No, NO." groaned Baird with his eyes half-open."It's lime, salt, drink."

"You gotta show me again man." Said Cole. Baird prepared himself.

"Ok." He said."Lime." he said taking a suck of a lime."Salt." he said snorting the salt from his arm."Shot." Then Baird took the shot glass before him and downed it.

Then he sat before Cole even more woozy than before.

"So that's shot, salt, lime?" asked Cole.

"NO, no." replied. "It's lime, salt, shot."

"Salt, lime, shot?" asked Cole.

"No." said Baird as he buried his hands in his face."Why are you doing this to me dude?"

"I don't get it." Told Cole."I'm a visual leaner, you gotta keep showing me."

Baird then sucked on the lime, took a sniff of the salt, and finally took the shot.

"So that's shot, lime, salt?" asked Cole. But Baird did not reply and only sat their dazed."Baird?" asked Cole. Then he waved his hand in front of Baird's face, Baird did not reply."Perfect." said Cole.

Then he turned around and whistled. At the table the other gears still sat around and waited then they heard the sound of the whistle and all looked to the source of it.

They looked over to see Cole waving at them.

Sam gave a sly smile and then stood up.

"Excuse me." She said. Then she walked over to Cole and Baird with a lively step in her feet as the gears she left behind all looked at each other.

She walked up to the two.

"Here he is." Said Cole. Baird sat there, his eyes half open in a daze. Sam waved her hand before Baird's eyes and he made no reply.

"Good, Good." Said Sam with a smile. Then she turned to Cole."Thanks." she said.

"No problem, just be gentle." Replied Cole.

"No promises." Said Sam as she turned back to Baird with a smile. Baird still sat there probably unaware of what was going on."Alright Baird." She said as she walked next to him."It's time to get you to bed."

"Are we going to sleep?" asked Baird in his daze.

"Oh yes." Smile Sam."We're going to sleep." Then she lifted Baird's arm over her shoulder and began dragging him out of the bar. Cole watched them go with a certain sense of satisfaction on his face.

Meanwhile Sam dragged Baird out of the bar and into the closest room she could find. Baird was far too big and heavy for her to lug around everywhere so the closer the better.

The room she picked was down the hall, last door on the right.

She kicked open the door, dragged Baird in and then sat him up on the bed.

Baird fell back laughing as Sam went back and shut the door.

"Thanks for bringing me here Cole." Said Baird in a slurred tone."You're a really good friend."

Then Sam took off her armor and then turned around to face Baird."I mean really." Continued Baird unaware of what was going on as Sam walked forward."I freakin love ya man, no homo." He said extending his arms and waving them.

Then Sam stood before him, she grabbed his hands and placed theme on her chest so he could fell her breasts.

"Wow." Said Baird. Sam smiled happily."Cole you've got some great boobs." Then he began moving his hands around and began to fondle Sam's breasts.

Then Sam spread her legs and sat up on the bed over Baird. She held his head in her hands.

"There's no Cole tonight baby." She said."It's just YOU and Me." Baird still looked slurred and confused so Sam leaned down and licked him across the face and that somehow had brought him back to life a little.

So Baird looked up and saw Sam before him."I'm gonna rock you world." Said Sam. Then she leaned in and kissed Baird and the two fell back onto the bed.

Meanwhile back at the bar, Cole went and rejoined the other gears.

"What the hell was that?" asked Dizzy talking about the disappearance of Sam and Baird as Cole sat down.

"A gentlemen never tells." Replied Cole with a triumphant look on his face.

"You can tell me Cole." Said Anya leaning towards him. Cole looked to the other gears and then to Anya.

"Alright." He said. Then Cole leaned forward and whispered in Anya's ear. Anya had the same reaction as Cole her eyes bugged wide open.

Then Cole leaned back as he had finished explaining and Anya looked back at him with a confused face and bug eyes.

"This is true?" asked Anya. Cole nodded."And their?" she said pointing off in the direction they went. Cole nodded.

Then Anya and Cole broke out in a laughter together while the other three gears looked at them confused.

"I've got to be honest." Said Anya."I've kind of always thought it."

"Look." Said Carmine suddenly as he stood up and pointed at the door. Everyone quickly turned over to see Marcus standing in the doorway."It's Marcus."

"Marcus." Said Anya softly to herself as she saw him. She was overjoyed really thinking that Marcus had cleared all the problems in his head.

Marcus stood in the doorway and scanned the room for his gear comrades.

"Hey Marcus." He heard Anya's voice call. Marcus looked over and saw Anya, Cole, Dizzy, Carmine, and Jace sitting at a table waving at him. He didn't see Baird there but they must know where he was.

So Marcus quickly walked over to them, Anya stood up prepared to greet him.

"Marcus." She said with a smile."Come sit down have a –"

Just then Marcus grabbed Anya by her shoulders."Anya where's Baird?" he asked. Anya looked puzzled.

"He went down the hall." Replied Anya slowly. Marcus quickly turned and went down the way she told." I don't know if you wanna go there." Called Anya.

But Marcus was a man on a mission and went down the way they told. But he noticed when he stood down the hallway that there were many doors, so he was going to have to pick one. But he didn't care he'd open every door if he had to.

So that's what he did, Marcus began opening all the doors and looking inside for Baird. But after checking nine rooms he hadn't found him. But then when he came to the tenth he heard something.

As he stood before the door he could hear what sounded like cried coming from inside. Marcus leaned hos head against the door and listened. Yes, he defiantly heard cries, from two people and one of them was Baird.

Hearing him Marcus grabbed the knob and opened the door, he immediately wished he hadn't.

For when he walked in he saw Baird naked on the on top of a person, two arms wrapped onto his back and two legs kicked up on opposite sides of his waist."Oh yea." The two moaned together.

"Who's your daddy? Who's your daddy?" moaned Baird. Marcus then retreated out the door and stood on the other side dumbfounded. What he had seen could not be unseen and was burned into his mind.

Then Marcus began thinking. The disc his father gave Baird was his last recording, like his last will and testament sort of. And it was in that room, even if head to face the horror inside it one more time Marcus must get that disc.

So Marcus took a deep breath, grabbed the knob and then went back inside. Once inside he immediately dropped to the floor and began crawling.

The two on the bed were unaware of their presence and continued with what they were doing.

Sam leaned over and nibbled on Baird's arm and dug her nails into his back. Baird let out a slight shriek but then continued with more ferocity.

Marcus crawled around the room then he found what he was looking for, Baird's pant more specifically his pockets. And there he could see it, the disc sticking out from his pocket.

But it was on the right side of the bed. So very carefully Marcus crawled alongside the bed. As he was next to it he heard the bed springs stretching up and down.

Then Baird began to slow down. Then Sam reached up and grabbed him.

"Come to momma." She said and then turned him over. Then she began riding him.

Marcus reached his arm out as long as he could to try and get the disc. It was almost in reach as he poked it with his middle finger. But finally he was able to grab it between his middle and index finger.

Then Marcus quickly began retreating back outside the room. He crawled back every way he came, opened and the door and slid out. They never even knew he was there.

Then Marcus stood up outside and looked at the disc. He was ready to hear what his father had to say.

So Marcus found a quiet room where he could be by himself. He put his headphones in and began playing the disc.

"Hello, Hello." Said the disc."This is Adam Fenix." Marcus listened to the tape for hours. But all his father talked about was his research, the locust, the lambet infection and his way to counteract it. But Adam said nothing about his son.

After a long time of listening the tape suddenly went silent. Marcus hung his head in defeat as he had not heard what his father might have to say to him. Then Marcus rubbed his eyes.

"Marcus." Said the tape."Are you there?" Marcus shot up."Marcus if you're listening, that means you're still alive but I am not. Marcus, son I know we've had our differences in the past and so we never saw eye to eye but know this Marcus, as a father I always wanted the best for you. Simply son what I have to say is I love you."

Then the tape went silent. Marcus sat there for a few moments in that silence. He removed his earphones, put the disc in his pocket and stood up.

"Yea." He said."I love you too dad." Then Marcus turned and exited the room. He found that all was quiet and after these past few hours. He made his way into the bar to see that it was empty, except for three figures.

Sitting at a table was Cole, Baird, and Carmine. Marcus went over to them.

"My freaking head hurts." Groaned Baird as he put his hand on his forehead. Cole and Carmine looked at him and laughed.

"Hey." Said Marcus as he approached them, they all turned to him."Got room for one more."

"Of course baby." Said Cole. Carmine grabbed a chair and gave it to Marcus. Then Sergeant Fenix sat down.

The four sat in silence for a few moments. Marcus saw a beer glass across the table still full. He reached over and grabbed the glass, so now everyone had a beer mug. Then they all looked at each other.

Marcus held out his glass. Cole, Baird, and Carmine did the same. Then they all lightly clicked their glasses together and began drinking.

Marcus took a quick sip and then looked up. For there at that moment he saw Anya standing in the doorway.

Then with a look of determination he took another sip and then got up and left the group and walked over to Anya. The three remaining gears watched him go.

Cole watched it all happen his face went from normal to bug eyed with surprise once again. Baird turned his back from the sight he saw with a snicker.

All and all it was a good night for the gears.

The End