“Colonel Hackett, it is a warm welcome to meet once again. If you do not recall, we were part of the same USAM training exercise in Australia in 2062.

I am thrilled that your Minutemen are thriving in this new conflict, as you modeled them off my Royal Special Commandos. Typical Yanks take what we created and claim it as their own idea. Regardless, His Majesty is ready to face these lollipops in battle.

With all things considered, I heard what happened to one of your Combat Fire Teams, Comanche. I have a team on a training recon mission in the field. My Redcoats RSC team will redeploy and rendezvous with your Minutemen rescue teams. In addition, I will send my teams to fill in the ranks you had to abandon until the operation is complete.” – Colonel Cooper Weston

March, 10th, 2068 (Military Calendar)

Hiplose Forest, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

The Templar, Natilite, looked out through the camouflage netting tent, staring out toward the highway toward Salva. Hundreds of Aristocracy and other allied City-State soldiers were on the march.

"It looks like a battalion strength," Forest said as he looked through his DMR scope.

"And we almost got caught with our pants down," Higgins said.

"It is why I wear a skirt." Natilite saw the two men slowly look toward her before looking at each other. She could only giggle, enjoying toying with them. For energetic people, she found that they get shy quickly with a bit of pushback.

"I don't know how to respond," Higgins said.

"I believe it is wise not to," Natilite said before looking back toward the marching Section; she understood how correct Charlie Higgins was.

Comanche was driving directly into the Aristocracy Section and only noticed them after launching one of their drones. This allowed them to drive off the road and set up camouflage tents to hide. So far, it has worked as the enemy continued marching toward their objective.

"This is taking way too long," Natilite mumbled.

"Don't worry," Forest said.

She looked at the Staff Sergeant with confusion. Their leader had been taken and stuck until the enemy convoy passed. "How could you not be worried?"

"Simple," Forest said. "Cannot worry about what you cannot control."

"Tell that to Gonzales," Higgins said. "He is still punishing himself."

Taking a deep breath, Natilite turned and saw the Filipino member of the Comanche, Marcos Gonzales. It amazed her that the Altaerrie were one species; they had far more diverse pigments than usual. While this was common in Alagore, it was not to this degree. From what her new comrades said, the United States was a settler nation where people from all corners of the world had migrated to their country.

"Excuse me, gentlemen." Natilite stood but still needed to lower her profile because of the net. She slowly walked toward the team medic and kneeled by his side. She could see he still blamed himself for losing their captain under his watch. It was a feeling she could relate.

The Templar sat down and flexed her right wings. "Do you mind checking my wing? It feels stiff."

"I can do it." Gonzales stopped what he was doing and analyzed her wing before replacing one of the patches. "I…, I…, don't understand what you are doing."

"I understand what you are feeling," Natilite said. "We have all told you it was not your fault; however, none matters, and you know that. It happened when you were supposed to be protecting us. It happened moments after I was with him, so I am equally at fault."

"There is a difference," Gonzales said. "Those Knights took me out without trying. I am supposed to be the best of the best, and just like that, they knocked me out cold with magic. It is humiliating."

The Templar frowned as she understood the meaning of humiliating but forced herself to smile. "Just as humiliation being stripped naked and chained in a cell for a month. Allowing every man to gaze upon my body?"

Gonzales had a horrific look in his eyes before closing them. "I apologize. I was not trying to."

Natilite held his hands tighter and said, "Not my intent. While that was a dark moment, I thank our Goddess Mother that I am still alive. I want to continue to influence and guide everyone toward the future. Now, with you, those Knights could have killed you but didn't. Now, your God has allowed you to redeem yourself."

The medic took a deep breath and said, "I hate saying it; I don't believe there is a god."

While this was not the first time in her life that she encountered an unfaithful person, she still found the response strange. While she understood little of the Altaerrie religion, this did not deflect her from her intentions. She decided not to push her values onto the man and chose a different path to aid him in gaining clarity. "Now, Sergeant, it would be wise to perform your duty until the task is accomplished." The Valkyrie walked away, heading toward the Comanche acting commander, Warrant Officer 1 Rommel King.

The Templar saw the Warrant Officer sitting on the ground with Sergeant Benjamin Ford and Sergeant First Class Gregory Barrett. The three men were staring at their laptops, talking about something. Ford was the one operating the computer while Barratt was taking notes.

On the screen, soldiers were marching in file; between the Sections, the mana-battery troop's transport and some officers were riding horses.

"What is happening, boys?" Natilite asked.

"Recording what the enemy has," King said.

"How so?"

"I am controlling a SmallDog," Ford said. "It is a small quadruped drone the size of a pet."

Impressed by the operation, Natilite leaned over their shoulders and watched the laptop screen. On it was a box with the video feed from the dog-like drone. "I see. It is like a Crawler but less nimble."

Ford turned to the Valkryie with a shocked look. "I take offense to that."

"Sorry," Natilite said. "It is a cute little death machine."

"Thank you."

"Are you not worried that the enemy will spot it?"

"Not really," Ford said. "I am not getting too close, hiding behind some bush."

"What have you seen so far?" Natilite asked. "Anything of note?"

"Actually, yes," Barrett said. "We saw a few of these passing by. I noted several different models, but the overall design was the same. They look like some troop carrier, but they look like skeletons in nature."

Leaning into the image on the screen, the weapon platform the Sergeant First Class was talking about was about. The front part of the vehicle was bulky, hosting the batteries, and the driver sat on top like a wagon, controlling the car with an orb. The other half was what Barrett was talking about. Having a flatbed, a large single bar hovered above the flatbed with supporting beams that made up the frame – the overall design was like a spine with ribs wrapping around.

"It is a Wagonette," Natilite said. "It is a type of self-propelled cart used to transport troops and supplies or as a mobile ballista, like your Archers."

"Why is there little armor on it?" King asked. "For a people who value heavy armor, this surprises me."

"You can install heavy armor on it," Natilite said. "The reason for the open frame is for the swordsmen. When they load into the cart, they place their shields between the frames. That protects while riding, and their shield is already in the protective position when it is time to exit."

"Interesting," Barrett said.

Ford chuckled as he stared at the design. "It sounds module in nature."

Barrett said, "Don't tell the Army that. Or they will buy a thousand of them."

"What kind of tactics do they use these for?" King asked. You said they use them to transport swordsmen?"

"Not just them," Natalie said. That was the original intent, but the carts have evolved since then. As you know, marching across the battlefield makes you an easy target. Generals use these to quickly move elite warriors across the battle, storm a city, flank, or break up an enemy position. Some have specialized rams to break apart fortifications, while others have a ballista like your IFVs. But that does not mean ranged soldiers cannot use them."

"Interesting," Barrett said. "Why are there horses?"

"Why not? Carts like these are expensive and require lots of wealth and labor. I take it mechanization is common in your world?"

"That is correct. About a hundred and fifty years ago, we stopped using horses during the First World War. Some people used them during the Second World War, mainly in the rear. Your people are in your version of a transition phase like ours."

"If you say so.

"Sarge," Ford said. "It is hard to tell, but it seems we are reaching the end of the enemy formation."

"It could be a gap," King said. "Keep an eye on it. If nothing appears in the next thirty minutes, we will leave."

"Then let's hope," Natilite said.

March, 10th, 2068 (Military Calendar)

Fortress city of Forlace, Verliance Aristocracy

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

*****

Hearing a scream echo through the hallway, Assiaya knew where it came from. It came from her master's private sparing room, where he played with a new toy. She knew about the captured prisoner enjoying his fun with the man.

What bewildered the dual-eye slave girl was that her master took a particular interest in this Altaerrie man. She had seen many prisoners from their world pass through recently, and Kallem only took a slight interest in them, not to the point where he would have a personal duel. Something must have happened for him to go to this length to punish this soldier.

Assiaya walked through the halls, carrying a small bucket filled with water. She noticed the Head Maid standing beside the sparing room door, looking impatient. "I am here, Miss Roath."

The Kitsune stared at the little girl, arms crossed. "What took you?"

"I apologize," Assiaya said. "The bucket was heavy…, and my shoulder still hurts."

Roath shook her head but then cracked a smile. "I understand your shoulder hurts, but you can never show weakness here. You must learn to bear the pain."

"But it is illegal to harm motuia's," Assiaya said.

"Which you are not, so you are not protected by those laws," Roath said. "While Kallem might have protected you, he cannot be everywhere, and others will always seek to take advantage of his blind spot. For some reason, Kallem chooses to have you as his slave, not a motuia of the royal staff. That decision protects you, as most would never dare touch his property. However, it has also made you a target."

The memory was still fresh from being assaulted by her master's son. The relationship between father and son has deteriorated deeply, far more than she expected. However, there was a feeling that there was something more at play.

Assiaya nodded as she still felt the teeth on her shoulder. The feeling of blood draining seemed like her life was being sucked away, an experience she still couldn't fully understand.

Seeing that the young slave girl was in distress, Roath kneeled and placed her hand on the healthy shoulder. "Look, Assiaya, when I was young, I also was a young slave about your age to a cural and unforgiving lord. I had to bear many burdens and pain. Still, one day, he granted me a motuia position as a servant because I remained loyal and determined. From there, I was able to learn the craft until I became the head of his entire staff. I am hard because I have to keep all of you maids strong. You must remain strong; one day, your opportunity will come."

The slave girl bottled up her emotions as she struggled to regain her posture. She had heard this lecture before. In the past, she accepted that this life was her future. Still, in recent days, she no longer believed she would survive long enough to become an indentured servant as she remembered seeing the priestess within her memories.

"I understand," Assiaya said. If Ere-hian attacks me again, should I accept it? Should I inform my master?"

"Lord Ere-hian," Roath corrected.

"Yes, Head Maid. Lord Ere-hian."

"It is not our place to get into domestic affairs between father and son. Leave the matter to me, as we must be careful what we say. As I said, the boy was not trying to kill you but unleashing his youthful anger. The Lord is young, eager, and trapped at home while his father is away from war. From what it sounds like, this will be a long war, and Kallem will no longer be able to protect you from the ones who hate your kind. You must be strong at every opportunity, or they will take advantage of you.

"Do not ask questions. Please. Not on this subject."

"But I want to know," Assiaya replied.

"You keep getting hurt because you ask questions. Roath is trying to tell you to keep your head down."

Angry with the voice, Assiaya looked into the Head Maid's eyes. "What do you think of the Altaerrie?"

"How many times I must tell you, politics is beyond us," Roath said. "You must keep your ears down and mouth silent. You must be in the background and can only move around freely. Ere-hian and the others notice you because you keep drawing attention to yourself."

"I try, but everyone notices me regardless of what I do. Everyone knows I do not belong here, and my eyes draw attention."

Roath nodded and patted the slave girl on the head. "True. Do not worry; you will find your strength."

The door opened, and a vampire stood in front of them. "Our Lord requests your presence."

"Okay," Assiaya said. She took a deep breath as she remembered the priestess's memory. "Head Maid. There is one more thing I want to mention."

"You talk too much," Roath said. "Speak, but make it quick."

The slave girl nodded and took a breath. "I think the reason why Lord Ere-hian attacked me was because the Unity Priestess manipulated him to do so."

To Assiaya's surprise, Roath said nothing. The gray, white Kitsune focused on her gold and blue eyes as if she were reading her mind.

The Kitsune then stood and adjusted her clothing as if she decided on something. "As I said, do not speak of this. Now, we must go."

Seeing the Head Maid open the door, Assiaya gripped the bucket handle and followed the Kitsune into the room. She had been in this dojo-type chamber multiple times, usually to provide towels for her master during training. This was usually during sports or sparring with friends; however, he had never brought an enemy here.

She first saw a shirtless Lat-like Altaerrie male in a melee sparring match. The man had pale skin, like the others she had witnessed before. His hair was brown with gray eyes. The man had a soldier's frame, showing he took training seriously, but nothing compared to the Vampire. She noted a tattoo on his shoulder: a helmet above a shield with three small arrows pointing up.

The sparing match continued with Kallem launching a powerful attack against the Altaerrie man. The man blocked the strike with his arm, which left a dark bruise; however, he used his free arm and thrust a sucker punch. When her master felt the hit, it only left a minor bruise on his cleft solid chin.

Kallem seemed amused by the sneak attack but was unfazed. The next thing Assiaya saw was the man being lifted and tossed the Altaerrie across the room. The man rolled and stopped, face down.

"I guess the Altaerrie are not as tough as everyone thought."

"Do not say that," Assiaya said as the man was tossed against the wall. "But…, maybe you are correct. I was hoping they might be different but…, I no longer know."

Kallem stood, staring at the man as he lay there, catching his breath. "When you are not hiding behind your armored suit, you are nothing but a man. Weak, inferior, and valuable. Do you believe you can come here to my world and change the fate of the Cosmos? And yet, you are nothing but an empty shell behind the hardware."

"Never truer words, my Lord," Roath said.

Assiaya saw her master approach, so she prepared the wet towel and handed it to him so he could dry off the sweat and blood. She could see the sense of satisfaction in his manner. His eyes were filled with pride, as if he resolved some internal issue.

"Assiaya, look."

Confused by the voice, Assiaya looked past her master and saw the Altaerrie man slowly getting onto his feet. He was struggling to stand but ignored the pain. The right eye was black, with cuts and blood patched around his body. The man looked exhausted, but she noticed the look of defiance in his eyes.

For her, a renewed spirit filled her body, seeing the defiance from the man.

Kallem noticed Assiaya's reaction and turned, noticing the man.

"Kallem," the man said in a tired voice. "I heard no bell."

While Assiaya never heard the phrase before, she quickly understood the meaning. While battered, he was not willing to give up. Looking toward her master, she saw that look of pride and accomplishment was gone and only anger and frustration.

"I believe our master is trying to break him."

"I agree with you," Assiaya responded.

Kallem respectfully handed the wet towel to Assiaya, who put it into the bucket to be washed and strained. "You might have the warrior spirit of a Lat, but your annoyance is beyond a J'avais."

The man started laughing before coughing from struggling to breathe. "Nicest thing you said all day."

Taking a step back to avoid getting caught up in their sparring match, Assiaya watched. As the fight unfolded, she could tell her master had the advantage in talent and raw strength in comparison. She had seen him often having such matches, in which rarely the opponent stood a challenge. The difference this time was that those were friendly within his inner circle. At the same time, this one seemed more of a personal rivalry, almost like her master was trying to prove something.

However, as she watched the Altaerrie man slowly lose the match, she couldn't understand why he wouldn't surrender. He gained no benefit from continuing the fight as if he was insane.

"Do you think he wants to die?"

"I do not know," Assiaya thought. "But it is angering our master."

"Hmm."

Within moments, the fight was over. The Altaerrie man was on the ground, this time on his back, as he caught his breath—a fresh bruise on his chest.

A Vampire woman sitting on a chair in the corner put a book and approached the mat. The woman wore a modified priestess dress with the Tekali theme removed and replaced with the Katra.

When Assiaya got a better view, the woman looked annoyed, as if she had been here all day and was bored. She couldn't blame the woman; if she had to watch men fight pointlessly, she would have gotten bored. The Temple trains and provides Intellectuia Mages; when it comes to mind reading, Kallem prefers females. While the dual-eye girl does not fully understand why, it has something to do with the fact that females are naturally better prepared to manipulate the male mind.

The woman then kneeled next to the Altaerrie man and placed her hand on his head, using mind-reading magic. However, Kallem stopped her.

"Not this time," Kallem said.

The Vampire woman stood with annoyance. "This is the third time you stopped me. I thought I was here to read his weak mind for information."

"Celeste," Kallem said. "I said if I defeat him. Not beat him."

Celeste stood. "The man is on the ground, barely alive. What difference is there in the meaning? But, as you command, My Lord."

"You can go, Celeste," Kallem said. "I will summon you when I finally defeat the Altaerrie."

The Mage bowed before walking out of the room.

"I will never understand these humans," Roath said. "They never know when to give up."

"I think Roath has a point. At this rate, Kallem will kill him."

"I disagree with you two," Assiaya said.

"What was that?" Roath asked as she turned toward the slave girl. "What two?"

Assiaya turned to the Head Maid, realizing she had spoken out loud. With a nervous tone, she said, "Kallem is losing the fight, I think. While our Lord can beat the Altaerrie man to death, he cannot break his spirit to fight. That is why Kallem is angry."

"As I said before, you pay too much attention to detail," Roath smirked and returned to the fight.

The Altaerrie slowly sat up, leaning on one arm as he struggled to breathe. Kallem approached and kicked him in the chest, providing the final blow and ending the match.

Assiaya saw Kallem staring down at the man with a frustrated look. He then turned and headed toward the door. She handed him the towel her master took, wiping off the sweat.

"Roath," Kallem said. "Patch him up and then give him the potion."

"Yes, my Lord," Roath said. "Are you sure about the healing potion? I was led to believe that he’s a prisoner?"

"You heard what I said," Kallem said before leaving.

Assiaya looked toward the Vampire. The guard chained the man's arms and then lifted him to the hook hanging from the ceiling. The Altaerrie man embraced, his feet dangling a few inches from the ground. The guard then took the translation amulet and left.

"Why does he want to give a prisoner a healing potion?" Assiaya asked.

"Because he wants to break him before killing him, as you said before. At least, that is what I assume."

"Why bother?" Assiaya pondered.

"I do not know. It is a male pride thing. You will need to learn to deal with it, even if it makes no sense. However, if true, Kallem will kill him soon."

Seeing the Head Maid heading toward the unconscious man, which the slave girl followed.

Roath placed a healing potion box on the nearby table and approached the man. "I need a rag. There is a lot of blood, and we must clean the wounds before administering the potion."

"Why not just give him the potion?" Assiaya asked. "I thought a healing potion heals wounds."

"They do," Roath said. "But you need to clean the wound first to prevent infection before administering it. While the potion speeds the healing process, the effects do not last forever. If the body is not properly prepared, the accelerated healing effects could become a danger to the body. While the exterior might seem healed, the interior will become rotten if not treated properly beforehand. You will need to learn this when as a maid."

Roath handed the bloody cloth to the slave girl before taking a bottle of cream and spreading it over the wound. As the Kitsune filled the scars with the green cream, the men shook and coughed before awaking. This startled the older Kitsune, who backed away with fear.

Assisya found the sight silly, seeing her usual well-disciplined boss scared. Seeing the Head Maid's frown, she turned to the man, shocked that he was still conscious. They noticed her and then winked before coughing again.

"Lats," Roath said. She then walked away toward the table and pulled out a red healing potion before coming back.

The man looked around as he tried to see what was happening. "Where is the purple princess? I got a score to settle."

"They took away the translation amulet," Roath said. "I do not understand what you said to be quiet."

Assiaya giggled. "He was not whining. He called Kallem a purple princess."

"Do not say that!"

Realizing the voice in her head was correct, Assiaya saw the Head Maid staring at her, almost as if she was reading her soul. She lowered her head and washed the blood off the cloth.

"Now, how would a little slave girl understand what the enemy said.?" Roath asked.

"Tell her that you heard other Altaerrie use similar phrases."

"Okay." Assiaya then realized she had spoken loudly again. "When I was around the other Altaerrie prisoners, I heard one of them calling a vampire that."

Roath glared at the young slave girl, almost as if she knew she was lying. The Kitsune even noticed the Altaerrie man glancing toward her as if he understood some elements of what she said.

"I see," Roath said before turning back to the man. "As I said, you listen too much."

Roath grabbed the weak man's chin and forced it to open. She then poured the healing potion into his mouth.

Once the potion was empty, the Head Maid let go of him, and the man coughed.

"It will take some time," Roath said. "By tomorrow, you will be good as new for our Lord to fight."

The Kitsune turned and headed toward the door.

Assiaya grabbed the bucket, but she heard the man mumble something before she left. She stopped and turned to him. The man looked exhausted as he hung from the ceiling but forced a smile.

"Preparing me for round two," the man said as he struggled to talk. "Challenged accept." He then looked toward her and winked, making her blush and turn away.

While the voice mentioned that this man was insane and wondered if Altaerrie had a death wish, Assiaya felt safe, something she had never felt before. She had no idea why but felt that something was different.

Before she could reflect, the slave girl heard her boss call her name. She took the bucket and walked away.