"Hello, old friend. Yesterday, I relieved Major General Harris from command of Alagore operations. At that moment, I believed the reality of command finally hit me as I prepared to take over combat operations on this alien moon. It is amazing. I spent the last year in my basement conducting war simulations of every possible scenario I could imagine for future wars, and yet, the one that appeared was never considered. The Lord has an interesting sense of humor.
My conversation with Harris (which took multiple hours) has been insightful. The main focus was discussing the different types of aliens on this alien moon; however, I have to admit that the topic of various types of humans fascinated me the most. Encountering humans from the later quarter of the Pleistocene age brought this war home, so I felt.
These J'avais (Homo erectus) and Nagal (Neanderthal) are fascinating. I do not know how to put it into words yet; encountering aliens from another world was more straightforward to accept than encountering humans from our ancient past. It might be because we come from the same lineage. It is early; these Nagel's seem like a group we can work with, but these J'avias I am concerned with. Up until now, there has been no example of cooperation between our people, including our allies in Salva, and this subgroup of humans. And then there are the Valkyries. I can only imagine the frustration of the paleoanthropology community. Understanding that aliens exist was more plausible than meeting our ancestors.
After reviewing the situation around Salva, I am impressed with how 4th ID and the Minutemen handled it. None of this has been ideal, reverting to twentieth-century combat tactics to have a chance. I talked with Harris about what he needed to establish a proper communication and surveillance network, and that is to expand outward. And that brings the current issue.
I do not blame the White House for remaining silent about the situation around Raymond Space Base and the Bridge. The last thing we need is a panicking population; however, this has had the unintended consequence of preventing me from deploying the proper level of troops without the Pentagon's approval. The best I can do is focus on logistics Stateside in preparation when we go public.
The Pentagon at least understands the threat, with the discovery that Unity has air power under my new VII Corp and the transfer of 4th ID, 1st Astralis, and 4th Multi-Domain. 2nd Battalion, 1st IBCT will be taking over security around Indolass.
It was nice talking to you again. Congratulations on your recent promotion to Major General. I will pass everything regarding Exo-warfare to your new Task Force. I will chat with you soon." - Lieutenant General Kelvin Sherman
March, 18th, 2068 (military calendar)
Salva, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie
Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore
*****
Strolling along the Salva wall, Natilite observed hundreds of Altaerrie soldiers and militiamen working to rebuild and fortify the city's defenses hastily. The Templar gained a new admiration for them, seeing how diligently they moved about, preparing the city for the impending battle.
Two of the Altaerrie soldiers were lowering a large device. The base was an olive-green barrel with an M2 Browning heavy machine gun with what the Americans call sensors on the giant weapon. They were lowering the heavy weapon onto the concrete wall and being bolted into place. A screen and a thick black cable on the platform dropped down the wall and headed toward one of the buildings with access to the city's underground levels.
Understanding the weapon's strategic significance, Natilite learned it was called a Locally Operated Weapon Station, or LOWS for short. An American soldier who was instrumental in its installation explained that it could operate semi-independently from a safer location. The sensors feed crucial information for remote operation through the thick cables to shield the operator from immediate danger. The cable was a precaution against potential interference from wireless interference, a measure taken in anticipation of the enemy's use of electronic bombs.
Before the Americans' arrival, the city's defense was on the brink of collapse, still reeling from the previous two battles. Once in ruins, the eastern and southern walls—the two most likely avenues of attack—had been painstakingly rebuilt and fortified to prevent another enemy breach. The influx of manpower was evident, with more men manning the walls than in the past hundred years.
However, four soldiers were together within one of the spaces for a weapon placement. Two were operating the Altaerrie large-computerized scope, being more compact than what was standard on Aladrida. Especially with the focus on being digital, something that Natilite had learned that these Altaerrie loved – a feeling that she assumed about how Americans felt regarding magitech. One of these soldiers was wearing a large helmet with a similar Visor that Comanche wore. However, he was wearing strange, thick gloves, randomly pointing in the air based on the feedback from the scope. The man was also wearing a thicker helmet with a larger visor compared to what she had seen American soldiers as if it was not made for combat.
The third soldier stared at a thick laptop connected to the compact scope, recording everything the first two said. The last soldier was drawing the landmass, recording essential details. With the significant focus on computer technology that Altaerrie values, she was surprised to see something so simple and low-tech.
"I am surprised that you are hand drawing," Natilite commented.
"The Army does not throw away old methods because they are not flashy," the Ranger said. "It is important to capture important locations to evaluate."
"I can respect that," Natilte said. "Is that what they are doing?"
The Ranger turned to the three men and said, "They are painting the region with virtual reality. Then, they upload the data into the Oracle, which everyone else can access."
The Templar knew what Oracle was, being the American PI information database. Still, the Ranger's terminology confused her as she looked out and saw no one painting. The Winged woman knew that wasn't what the soldier ment but couldn't stop herself from reacting. "I see nothing," she said.
The Ranger chuckled. "I meant digitally. We are marking key zones of interest where the enemy might pass and marking them. We then input that data into DEFNET or Oracle, allowing everyone here to see what markers we place."
"Fascinating," Natilite said. "Because it is on the NET, the enemy cannot see it?"
"It is not foolproof on Earth," the Ranger said. "But ideally, yes. This also gives up the opportunity to properly range mark distance. So, we can augment the risks of blue-on-blue artillery. Using the Palace as a center point, we can measure the distance from there."
"Does that mean you do not need maps anymore?" Natilite asked. "Comanche educated me on the importance of such material for you people."
"Nothing will replace that," the Ranger said. "Doing this requires additional steps, always leading to more room for error. Our artillery must know the distance from their location to the city and then add it together. And note, I am oversimplifying it."
Seeing the four-mem work impressed Natilite. She was starting to worry that their technology and doctrine were too Earth-centric to work on Alagore, but witnessing the adaptability brought some assurance.
Hearing someone warning her to get away as they approached from behind, the Valkyrie extended her wing. It lifted itself off the wall and hovered until setting foot on the battlements to be out of the way. She then looked down and saw two Militia and Altaerrie engineers pushing one of the few remaining ballistae on tracks that followed the city wall.
As the men passed, Natilite noticed Colonel Hackett standing a little further away. He actively rebuilt the city, directing those engineers where he wanted the ballista to cover the northern gate. To the Templar delight, the commander settled in quickly, able to give commands without needing a translator amulet. This was a testament to their shared understanding and respect.
As the engineers passed, Natilite glided towards Colonel Hackett, her military superior, as she knew he wanted to speak with her. She landed gracefully and addressed him, "You requested me, sir?"
Hackett turned before noticing the Templar. He pulled out his cell phone, picked up the Latin translation program, and spoke.
"Salve," Hackett's phone said. "Gratias tibi, adventus."
Natilite could tell the translation was rough, bluntly saying, "Hello, thank you coming". From what she had been told, Latin was a dead language in their world, and this was the only other method of communication that did not have a translation amulet. Listening to it, she found the sentence structure needed to be fixed, clumsy, and missing keywords. However, she was surprised that a mechanism could function this well.
"You are welcome," Natilite said. "Have you been using that to communicate with everyone? The Militia seemed to be taken accustomed to your commands."
Hackett waited for the hand device to translate before speaking into English, of which she could only make out a few words. He then spoke into the device, which said in broken Latin. “Cum hominem intelligis, lingua tantum consilium est.”
The Templar glanced toward the crowds below as they prepared for the coming attack and smiled at what the Colonel said. Once everyone understood the chain of command, everything fell into place. She understood that Hackett was talking about a figure of speech, a principle over reality. However, the point was taken. She had seen it with Centurions commanding auxilia.
"What can I do for you, Colonel?" Natilite asked. The Templar then waited for what she said translate through the phone crude translation App and translated it into English.
Hackett then spoke through the same application so the Templar could understand. "I need an index for potential leadership positions in the militia," he said.
The question bothered her somewhat, but not on the merits, as she understood the Colonel's intentions: He wanted to rebuild the Militia from scratch. Most of the previous leaders were killed or taken captive during the First Siege of Salva. While the Comanche freed some from their assault on Mount Orlatus, they needed to be rearmed and reorganized for them to become effective.
"Do you need a response now?" Natilite asked.
"No," Hackett's phone said. "In time, yes. Command of Milita under me. I need new Centurions."
"I understand," Natilite said. "However, I do not think it would be wise for me to work alongside the town's Militia or get involved in command decisions. I am here to help, not lead."
"Not you decision," Hackett's phone said. "Will remain Comanche, will assist building local to arms."
She found the conversation strange, not because of the broken Latin, but because she had to work with other languages without an amulet. It was the fact that the Templar was not used to a non-genetically enhanced or royalty person giving her commands so casually. Either the Colonel did not understand the weight of her status as a Templar or didn't care, which she believed was the latter. Regardless, it was an attitude that she was not accustomed to.
"With respect, Colonel," Natilite said. "I do not want to command a Legion."
"No Legion," Hackett's phone said. "You not command. You recruit, advise, assist. You leadership responsible headquarters. Remain with Comanche. Need help building native Legion."
Natilite started to see what the Colonel wanted from her. Hackett plans on building a new fighting force and wants her along his side. She decided to assist him because he wouldn't take no for an answer. "As long as I do not take command of the Legion, I will help you."
William Hackett nodded after the translation. Before the Colonel could input his response, the city alarm suddenly started blaring. A string of red tracers sprayed the sky from the two Bolas C-RAM. Five explosions appeared above the city before the remainder of the artillery impacted. Dark red flames consumed one of the buildings while another artillery round created a small patch of ice.
Everyone below dropped their tasks and scattered for cover. The wall infantrymen manned their positions in preparation for a possible attack. Some fired their rifles at possible locations where the enemy could be hiding.
Seeing additional hostile artillery rounds impacting the city, Natilite started to seek cover. She reached the ledge before noticing Colonel Hackett standing on it, facing the interior while barking orders and maintaining discipline. This impressed the Templar as she watched the Colonel show no regard for his safety. Feeling inspired, she activated her wristband's orange energy shield and protected the head of the Minutemen.
After a few minutes of bombardment, the enemy attack stopped. Only then did the Bolas go silent, followed by the city alarms. The only noise that emerged from the silence was the soldiers leaving whatever cover they found and emergency teams responding to the city's possible wounded and damaged sections.
As Natilite deactivated her energy shield, she then heard a loud zooming sound above her, heading toward the enemy. This was not the first time she had heard this sound since retaking the city. It was the American 4th ID artillery responding to the enemy attack. However, she was surprised by how quick it was.
It was explained to the Valkyrie how the American counter-fire could respond without the navigation and grid coordination systems they are accustomed to on Earth. She saw first during her short time with Comanche how painful everything became without those systems. While not perfect, Higgins explained that they use electromagnetic wavelengths or what they call Radar to detect the physical projectiles fired by the enemy. Then, their computers determine the proximity of the enemy position through trajectory and geometry and provide those estimates to their howitzers.
While these electromagnetic wavelengths were not alien to her or the more significant empires on Alagore, it was clear that the American understanding of electromagnetic wavelengths was far more advanced than anything the Hispana Republic, Thali'ean Fiefdom, or even the Verliance Aristocracy could muster. For the Unity, she had no idea as they were far beyond anything she had seen.
While not perfect, the delay from the initial attack and the response gives the enemy time to relocate and has limited means to evaluate the effectiveness of the counterbarrage. Still, it was better than anything Natilite saw within the Coalition arsenal. The main disadvantage she noticed was that the system required the enemy to make the first move, which she could tell frustrated the Americans, who prefer being aggressors, not targets.
Hackett continued barking orders until the situation calmed down and the other officers and NCOs could take command. He then turned toward the west side of the wall, staring at the many hills and ridges. The Colonel then turned toward the east, studying the terrain. He spoke his native tongue, but Natilite didn't need a translation as she understood his thoughts. There had to be a spotter for the artillery strike. She swung her M77 DMR that Comanche had given her and stared through the scope.
The core concept of the scope was easy to learn, like the digital features of her previous weapon, which she needed help with. She had discovered that with the Altaerrie, none of their technology was simple. There was always an additional feature.
Natilite scanned across the terrain but could only see the rough landmass and foliage that could give the enemy recon team plenty of places to hide. Over her radio, she heard the Americans speaking. However, she couldn't understand, but it seemed that everyone else needed clarification about where the spotters could be as she was.
The Valkyrie then lowered her DMR before turning toward the Colonel. "Cover me," she said before leaping off the wall and flying toward the nearby hills.
As she drew closer to the first hill, seeing no one forced her to conclude that the enemy must be inside one of the many left-over bunkers from the first siege, using enchanted cloaks to help blend into the environment while hiding the heat, a common practice on Alagore from all the heat seeing creatures and magitech. However, she knew it needed to be more foolproof as all she had to do was get closer for the cloak to be less effective.
Reaching over the first hill, she hovered above while aiming her M77 toward the ground. There were a few trees and bushes; however, most were covered in creatures and broken equipment. She then saw what looked like a cover built into the hill. Slowly floating overhead, she fired three 6.8mm rounds into the roof, piercing the metal plating over it. The Winged woman then slowly descended and landed overhead before grabbing the roof's edge and tossing it away.
Frustrated that she found nothing, she turned toward the nearby ridge. Not having the best angle toward the city, half of its surface was scarred from previous battles, and the right side was partly collapsed.
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Natilite partly turned away before something in her gut informed her that someone was wrong. She turned back toward the ridge and focused her Valkyrie eyes, which, unlike most species, allowed her to focus on a distant point more quickly.
That was when the Valkyrie noticed a shine coming from the ridge. While there was a leg of a destroyed walker from the first siege, it implied that was where the reflected sun was coming from. Some of her believed it was something else but must have been mistaken. Most of the leg was blackened from the damage, making any shine nearly impossible, meaning someone could use it to hide.
Pushing the limits of her bird-like vision, the Valkyrie focused and believed she noticed artificial cover. The Templar activated her wrist shield to scare anyone who was there. A sudden flechette impacted her shield, confirming that the enemy was occupying the ridge.
Natilite ran forward to gain momentum before her wings took flight, gliding toward the ridge. A few additional flechettes flew past her, firing out of fear. Before the enemy would react, the Templar landed by the destroyed walker's leg and discovered a dug-out hole with a large, enchanted cloak over it.
Inside were soldiers with similar equipment. Those Rangers were operating, and being Alagore design, they were staring toward the city. The Rangers marked the terrain around them, and the Aristocracy did the same.
There were three enemy soldiers: one Vampire, another an Orc, and the other a Neko. They all looked at her with terror in their eyes.
The Templar aimed her rifle and killed the vampires before grabbing his staff weapon; however, the feline could leap away before she could kill the scout, dashing toward the tree line. The last Orc rushed from the bunker while holding a small shield over his head, following the neko trail. While dodging energy bolts, she aimed her DMR, and with a single shot, the 6.8mm impacted the tusk man's leg, causing him to fall, allowing for a clean shot in the back.
As Natilite fired her rifle, two energy bolts flew past her, forcing her to evade. The sudden attack allowed the remaining scout to escape as additional flechettes aimed at her. She activated her orange energy shield to bear, deflecting multiple projectiles. This was when the Templar noticed that more enemy soldiers were within the tree line.
Over the radio, Natilite heard someone she had never heard from but spoke native Latin.
"Mortars incoming."
The Valkyrie quickly darted backward while covering herself with her energy shield. Three explosions impacted the enemy unit, creating small craters and one tree collapsing. The sudden attack frightened her, forcing her to hover backward for safety as seven additional mortars dropped around onto the enemy position.
After a few minutes, the attack stopped. The area was devastated, and additional trees either shattered or collapsed. At least a dozen new craters are scattered throughout the engagement zone. Aristocracy bodies littered the area, some torn to pieces.
"Wow…," Natilite mumbled. That was when she noticed one of the vampire soldiers crawling with one of his legs detached. She placed her hand over her headset and reported, "I have a survivor."
"The Colonel wants to know if you can secure the prisoner?"
"I will try."
Natilite began descending but stopped as she was forced to dodge a new energy bolt. Realizing that more troops were within the forest, she prepared herself for battle again. That was when the Valkyrie saw six additional Verliance Aristocracy soldiers exit the tree line, making her assume they were the rest of the recon team attempting to save their comrades. However, they were not formed in a standard attack formation, but with four infantrymen with their shields up and two armed with elecprobus firing at her.
"Actual," Natilite said over the radio. “Six new hostiles emerged from the forest and are attacking.”
"Roger. The Altaerrie are going to fire more mortars."
The Valkyrie flew back into a safer distance from the enemy elecprobus attacks while taking short stops to fire her began M77. The enemy was in a turtle formation. Her bullets were harmlessly deflected from their magically enhanced physical shields. She knew, with a careful shot and time, that the Templar could use the bullet's genetic force op either break through the enchantment or cause a ricochet to force the shieldman to create a gap for a place shot. With the short-range artillery incoming, she decided to gain distance over going for the kill.
The enemy, on the other hand, reached the wounded soldier. Two soldiers took position over the injured man, using their shields as cover while the rest fired against the Templar. Two others then grabbed the wounded vampire and pulled him into their formation before starting to flee back into the forest.
The enemy reached the foliage before the mortars hit their marks, causing additional explosions around the landmass. As the mortar attack decreased, Natilite couldn't tell if the short-range artillery killed the enemy or if they escaped. Either way, she knew it would be impossible to claim that wounded soldier as a prisoner.
However, Natilite did learn that the Verliance Aristocracy had broken the outer perimeter and was beginning to reoccupy the high ground around the city. While the plan was to abandon the outer defense around the city, as that was the buy time to rebuild the city defenses, it seemed their time was running out.
As the Templar started flying back toward the city, she was not an open target, so she looked south toward Vagahm. "You two better hurry."
March, 18th, 2068 (military calendar)
Vagahm Outskirts, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie
Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore
*****
While staring out the window, Assiaya watched the trees passing by. Since leaving Salva many hours ago, all she had seen were trees and rocks. The same view she had seen when they departed remains similar now.
The view was the same overall when traveling through the wilderness; however, Assiaya didn't recall the view being this dull. Feeling bored, she turned toward the driver, a man she had never met. Wearing a similar uniform as the Comanche, they had a different patch—a two-horned helmet sitting over a sizeable war hammer. The official name was Combat Fire Team-3, or Viking, one of the Minutemen's sister units.
Feeling the vehicle shake from a broken section of the road, Assiaya turned to Ryder, sitting in the rear passenger seat with her. Seeing that he was not reacting negatively to the rocking vehicle, she determined that this was a normal function of the armored car and accepted that they were still safe.
The vehicle driver said the convoy was near the third checkpoint. Ryder turned to the dual-eye and said, "Almost there. Just remember, I have your back."
Assiaya nodded, feeling supported. The Princess thought she would be terrified; however, she felt nothing. The idea of meeting another head of state, even if it was just a head of Vagahm, was exciting but confusing at the same time. The Princess wondered if the situation had not yet sunk in. She had no idea what to expect; her only frame of reference was serving drinks during Kallem's meetings. Or because she had grown used to bringing around high court meetings during her time as a slave, which she wouldn't know until she reached there.
Kallem was in control in those meetings, except when the Unity Priestess was involved. Recalling the memories, Assiaya assumed this meeting would be like those. While she had many opinions of her formal master, the man who conquered her people, killed her family, and forced her to labor for his needs, she knew he was a good statesman. She wondered if emulating his model would help in this matter.
"You think acting like Kallem will help?" the voice asked.
"Of course," Assiaya thought. "He is the greatest statesman I have ever seen."
"The only statesmen you ever seen was within his Empire."
"Besides the Temple of Enlightenment, everyone respected him. No one dared to cross him or speak out of turn. If I act similarly, the dwarves will agree to my demands and free the Salva civilians."
"…. Do you really believe you are Kallem?"
"I…." Assiaya reflected on the question and realized that the answer was no. The Vampire Lord had over a century of experience. He ruled over diplomatic affairs while she was a Princess with no throne. Acting like the Big Man at the negotiation table probably wouldn’t work. "I guess you are correct. And more I think about it, the Altaerrie probably tried that approach with all their power, and that failed."
"That was what I was thinking. We must think of a different tactic when we get there."
"You don't need to be scared," Ryder said.
Assiaya turned toward him, wondering why he made the comment.
Ryder chuckled as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "I could tell you were in deep thought. Don't worry, we will figure this out."
Surprised by the attention to detail, Assiaya nodded. That was when she noticed that the convoy stopped. Looking out the window, she saw more American soldiers and vehicles, making her wonder if this was the final checkpoint before Vagahm.
However, in addition to the standard identification checks she had seen the Americans constantly conduct, these soldiers were acting differently. They were scrambling, separating from larger groups.
"What is happening?" Ryder asked.
Before Captain Isacc Murphy, leader of Viking, could respond, a loud, deep roar echoed in the air. Assiaya looked outside the front window; the escorting vehicles opened fire into the air.
Two small wyverns appeared from the forest treetop, conducting a low-level strike against the Americans, checking and breathing fire as they passed. The long stream of fire impacted the ground as they passed by. Right after them, a dragon flew past, breathing fire that engulfed one of the American vehicles. After the beast flew past, multiple ballista rounds from an accelerator on the larger flying beasts, strafing the checkpoint with explosive projectiles.
Assiaya saw two soldiers inside being consumed by flames. In contrast, other soldiers rushed over to exhaust the fire, all before Ryder pushed her head down so she couldn't see anything.
The vehicle radio by the Captain was filled with soldiers from other units talking and reporting on what happened. The three flying beasts didn't return for a second strafing and headed south. A SHORAD Lance at the Vagahm siege long fired a missile in retaliation. According to the radio, the missile impacted one of the three wyverns, killing the winged beast.
"You okay?" Ryder asked.
Unable to respond in his native tongue, Assiaya nodded her head, singling that she was okay.
With the concerned look gone, Ryder turned toward Captain Murphy and asked, "Where did that come from?"
"Tree-line ambushes," Murphy said. "We believe they are coming from that mountain range over there. Since we arrived, they had been taking strafing runs against us, knowing we are stuck here waiting for this hostage crisis to be resolved.”
"Radar not detecting them?" Ryder asked.
"They are," Murphy said. "The first time, they got us good but quickly deployed SHORAD afterward. But the enemy got smart and flew above the trees until the last moment. By the time we notice, they are on top of us. That is why those dragons only attacked once; anything more, we would shoot them down. The Brass finally approved setting up an observation post on one of these hills for better detection and some drones to provide some early warning, but this is already a higher level of investment than they wanted to contribute."
"I see," Ryder said, touching his chin. "It should be obvious what we are after down here, making us an easy target. A few random sneak attacks by the Verliance Aristocracy will force us to pull critical resources away from the Salva and the northern front. Smart."
"Exactly," Murphy said. "We were only supposed to be here for a day—not a Zulu week. Hackett has not been pleased diverting as much manpower down here."
The Viking Captain leaned into the inner gap of the vehicle interior and continued, "I will say, I thought your team reported that the enemy had airships?"
"They do," Ryder said. "That is the Unity, not the Aristocracy. Command is still going through the data, but it seems there is a large technological gap between the local powers and the Unity."
"Figures," Murphy said. "You don't want to arm your vassals too well."
When the situation at the checkpoint stabilized, Viking gave the clearance to advance. The convoy drove past the checkpoint, bypassing the wreckage, and soldiers put out the fires. Seeing that the attack was over, Ivy, who was guarding the checkpoint, allowed the four Hounds to continue their journey to Vagahm.
It took about forty minutes for the convoy to reach the Dwarf borrian. Soldiers from Ivy were all around; two Campbell light tanks and other Lance APCs aimed their weapons toward a large, ridged hill. IRiSS stood guard on the front while other infantrymen manned further back in sandbag and log trenches, forming about a company-size force. Smoking then were a few militiamen from Salva.
"What was with all the hardware?" Ryder asked. "Even with the additional resources, I was not expecting this many heavy weapons."
"The Brass thought maybe a show of force would make the dwarves more reasonable," Murphy said. "As you can see, that didn't happen."
The armored vehicle stopped by a large tent. Vikings dismounted from their vehicles. The ranking NCOs spoke with the others, and the other team members secured the area.
Ryder dismounted and walked around to the other side of the Hound. He then opened the door for Assiaya and extended his hand. "Be careful. The ground is wet."
She saw his hand and took it, hopping out of the height seat. The clean military boots that she received became muddy. "That did not take long," she mumbled.
"Stay close," Ryder said.
She took his hand, and the two walked toward a green military tent. Like within the Palace, soldiers hovered over tables, worked on terminals, spoke over radios, or stared toward the borrian with binoculars. In addition, there were many armed guards.
"This is strange. Being protected like this."
"I know," Assiaya thought. "I wonder if this is how Kallem felt when surrounded by guards."
The two approached an older man who was staring at the borrian before turning to greet his guests. Captain Ryder saluted a man who he addressed as Lieutenant Colonel Micah. Based on the introductions, this man was in charge of the combat forces.
"What is the situation?" Ryder asked.
One of the Lieutenant Colonel's staff handed the Comanche Captain a pair of bulky digital binoculars, and the two stared toward the barrier. Feeling left out, Assiaya pulled on her future father's jacket to gain his attention. Seeing the error, he helped her create a way to see past the sandbags and handed her additional binoculars.
Shocked by how heavy the hardware was, Assiaya noticed how different the glass lenses were—vastly different from what she had seen before. Looking through them, the lenses looked closer to a screen than glass. There were dots, squares, and labels of different colors all over the side of the screen, all providing information that she didn’t understand but assumed was important military data.
"We have been able to mark most of the dwarf fortifications," Micah said. "They have ballista ports all around the hillside. See those wall-like battlements? We have spotted three levels so far."
"I see," Ryder said. "I see they have crystals around many of those bunker ports."
"The elf said those crystals create barriers," Micah said. "We will see how well they hold up from 105 fire."
"What about the entryway?" Ryder asked. "Dwarf doors are hidden from eyesight."
"It's not a problem," Micah said. "Our negotiator has been using the front door, so we have it marked."
"Still doesn't mean there aren't additional doorways that we cannot see," Ryder said.
When she looked toward Vagahm through the digital binoculars, she could see the borrian, pop-ups, and red numbers appearing all around the screen. Little red boxes and arrows were also across the hillside, mainly over the Dwarf defenders and their heavy weaponry.
Seeing dozens of Vagahm Soldiers manning their turrets and patrolling their walls, Assiaya could tell they meant business. Both sides seemed ready to attack.
"The issue isn't the exterior defense," Micah said. “My opening salvo should take them all out if things get hot.”
"But the issue is getting through that door," Ryder determined.
"Correct," Micah said. "It will take a lot of firepower but, more importantly, time to punch through. By the time we penetrated the borrian defenses, the hostages would be killed or extracted through any hidden exit."
Assiaya continued to study the exterior. She saw the barrier crystal scattered across the surface, lightly glowing from the raw mana emitting from the magical equipment. The Princess also noticed a few hidden orbs scattered around the hill, acting as what the Americans call cameras. To her surprise, there were no red markers labeling them, even though a slight glow was emitting from them. It was similar to the dwarf door at Mount Orlatus, where Comanche couldn't see the door.
She looked toward the large hillside door. Two dozen dwarfs were occupying makeshift bunkers, guarding the entrance. Like at the mountain airbase, the large two-sided stone door glowed a blue-white outline, carving the entryway into the Dwarf's borrian.
While staring at the blue-white outline that outlined the borrian, the glow suddenly got brighter when she focused on the main entrance that blinded her eyes. She set the binoculars down and covered her eyes with the sudden brightness. Getting checked upon by Ryder, the girl looked over and saw two males approaching. An Altaerrie and a Wood Elf.
When they arrived, the two took an immediate interest in the girl.
The first was Major Smith, another American who led the negotiations. The other is Varitan Yeldan, a wood elf from Salva. To surprise her, Ryder and Yeldan seemed to have already met based on their mannerisms.
"It is nice to see you again," Yeldan said. "I wish it was under better circumstances."
"The feeling is mutual," Ryder said. "Hopefully, we can avoid a war and resolve this crisis once and for all."
"I have to say," Smith said. "I am not thrilled about this plan. Using a little girl like this is highly unethical."
"If you did your job, we wouldn't be desperate to use her," Ryder snapped. "There was a moment of silence before the Captain continued, "I apologize for the outburst. It is just that, after everything that has happened, I am also not happy putting her in danger."
"You are not wrong," Smith replied. "These dwarves are the most stubborn people I have ever encountered, so I understand your frustration. I just hope the Colonel knows what he is doing."
"He always does," Ryder said.
"I have warned your kind regarding the dwarves' stubbornness," Yeldan said. "They needed to be dealt with delicately."
"That is why we brought the big guns," Smith responded. "We have a saying. Talk soft with a big stick."
"A philosophy that will do well here," Yeldan said. "However, they know you hesitated, so that will not work. You needed to show that you are a creditable force, which you failed to do."
"How was I supposed to represent the interests of a dead guy that I never met?" Smith angrily stated. "They are the ones who refuse the agreement and want nothing in return. It is like they want a fight."
"Hold on," Ryder interjected. "Are you saying they want us to invade?"
"No," Yeldan said. "They like to boast, but they would have ended negotiations if they wanted war. I believe they are open to resolving the situation; however, they are distrusting of you, Altaerrie. They know of the horrors of what happened at Salva and Indolass and are concerned."
"And that has been the issue," Smith stated. "I think they understand our military power, but that does not always lead to political power. Besides the Templar, whom they do not want to speak of, everyone else who vouched for us is dead or captured."
Ryder took a deep, frustrated breath and said, "I understand. I dealt with a similar situation with a kitsune village."
"Is that why Colonel Hackett sent you and a little girl?" Smith asked. "He refused to explain why you two are here over the radio. He just said I must give you full support in the negotiations."
As the three men talked about the struggle with the dwarves, Assiaya could only listen. The pressure of being the one who has to resolve this international crisis terrified her.
"I think we are ready."
"Are you kidding?" Assiaya thought. Before, she felt natural about the negotiations, but now, the gravity of the situation had finally fallen upon her shoulders. "These people are experts in what they do. Ryder is right; I cannot do it."
"That is not what father said. He wants to keep us safe. That is why he is here, supporting you. Otherwise, he would not adopt us. Besides, we both know what will happen if we fail to free the Salva population."
Assiaya closed her eyes to collect her thoughts. She pushed aside her fears and focused on the people she was trying to save. She then pulled on Ryder's jacket. When she got his attention, she asked, "Can I tell them?"
Ryder replied, "We should."
Assiaya stared at the Altaerrie and Wood Elf. A flow of fear engulfed her as their eyes locked on her. "Ahhh…."
That was when she noticed Ryder kneeling next to her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Assiaya," Ryder said. "The reason I can do what I do as a leader isn't because I am fearless. It is because I have people I trust to watch my back. You are not alone in this."
"But what if I fail?" Assiaya asked. "If I fail, everyone's life will suffer."
Ryder responded slowly before saying, "Remember how you cared for those people we rescued? You didn't need anyone to tell you to do that. You took leadership and comforted them. You did not have a title then, just heart. Nothing has changed since then. Remember that."
Assiaya nodded and then explained who she was, why she was kept close to Kallem, who her previous family was, why the Princess was standing before them, and that she hoped to use her family name to help convince Vagahm to free the civilians peacefully.
While the Major stood, listening carefully to every detail the potential Princess said, the Wood Elf kneeled in the presence of royalty.
"My lady," Yeldan said. "I was the political advisor of the old regime of Salva. As their motuia, and if you are successful on this day, I will gladly give myself to serve you. It will be an honor."
The actions of the motuia political advisor were nothing abnormal as she had conducted such platitudes before. However, this being the first time someone had ever presented themselves in such a formal matter to her, she struggled to respond as it was a sight she never experienced before.
“Yeldan,” Ryder said. "Before we go to the borrian, what is one piece of advice you can give? What should we be paying attention to."
Varitan Yeldan thought carefully as he turned toward the borrian. "One thought to remember during negotiations is to find what they want."
A loud horn comes from the small mountain, signaling that the dwarves are ready for the next round of negotiations.