World Building: Magical Materials
There are many types of magical ores that can be mined and refined into metals with magical properties. Processing these metals requires the use of magic combined with traditional smelting techniques.
Magical metals have an assortment of different magical properties. Properties of magic materials are permanent; they require no external mana to retain their special properties. Just like regular metals, magical metals can be used to create alloys.
Magical metals and their properties:
* Mithril
* Very light metal with mechanical properties on par with steel
* Gives off a slight glow
* Adamantium
* Incredibly dense and strong material that far surpasses modern steels in mechanical properties, but is very heavy
* Vibranium
* This metal vibrates slightly with magical energy
* Amplifies and transfers vibrations
* Sharp edges forged with this metal are exceptional at cutting things
* Warm to the touch
* Harmonium
* This magic metal absorbs and dampens vibrations
* Cold to the touch
* Dragon steel
* Fossilized remains of dragon scales combined with other minerals
* Defensive tools like shields or armor made from dragon steel offer a resounding balance between physical and magical protection
* Celestium
* This metal has weak physical properties but is highly magical
* Offers excellent protection against unfriendly magic
* Voidalium
* Also known as ‘void metal’
* Absorbs and destroys magic/mana
* Useful for imprisoning powerful mages
* Orichalcum
* When properly refined, the magic of this metal reduces its weight to be less than that of air
* Viridium
* TBD (any suggestions?)
* Volcanium
* Also known as ‘fire metal’, this magical substance is mined using magic from the centers of active volcanoes
* Volcanium is always very hot and emits flames
* Electrium
* This metal is a magically enhanced superconductor
* Thermallium
* This magical metal is an ideal heat conductor
* Magnetrium
* This magical metal has extremely powerful magnetic properties
* Gravitite
* Rarely found outside of sky islands, this magical metal has strange gravitational properties
* Gravitite deposits are responsible for holding up sky islands
Both magical and non magical materials can be infused with mana to grant them magical properties. Materials that have their own inherent magical properties can only be infused with basic mana, which amplifies its natural magical characteristics. However, regular and advanced mana can be infused into most types of non magic materials granting them properties based on the type of mana they are infused with.
There are nearly limitless combinations of mana infused materials, but magi steels are the most common. There are many different types of magi steel. The exact characteristics of magi steel depend on the type of steel used and the type of mana it is infused with.
Pure magi steel alloys are infused with only one type of mana. However, it is also possible to infuse steel with multiple types of mana at once. Although there are endless possible magi steel alloys, not all of them have practical characteristics. There are also many other, more complicated magi steel variants with properties only useful under very specific conditions.
* Basic magi steel
* Steel alloy infused with basic mana
* This steel has magically enhanced physical properties
* Sky steel
* Steel alloy infused with basic and air mana
* Steel with considerably reduced weight, but also reduced mechanical properties
* Azure steel
* Steel alloy infused with water and psionic mana
* The shape of an Azure steel tool can be manipulated by psionic magic as though it was a liquid, but otherwise act as a solid
* Crimson steel
* Steel alloy infused with fire and light mana
* Warm to the touch and glowing with magical energy, Crimson steel tools (other properties TBD)
* Terra steel
* Steel alloy infused with earth and fire mana
* Terra steel tools excel at working with rock, stone or metal.
* Flowing steel
* Steel alloy infused with water and air mana
* This material behaves like a fluid at room temperature
* Balance steel
* Steel alloy infused with light and dark mana
* Tools made from Balance steel are always perfectly balanced, as all things should be
* Living steel
* Steel alloy infused with psionic and life mana
* Living steel tools seem to have a mind of their own, and what it is forged into can alter its personality
* When deformed, Living steel tools reform back into their original shape
* When provided with its base steel, along with a supply of psionic and life mana, Living steel can grow more of itself
* Shadow steel
* Steel alloy infused with dark and psionic mana
* Shadow steel tools can create sentient ‘shadows’ of itself that will assist whoever holds the original tool in their task
* Bright steel
* Steel alloy infused with light and psionic mana
* Bright steel tools have similar properties to shadow steel tools, but create tools of light instead
Chapter 5: First Contact
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June 22nd, 2053
Rhinewood River Valley, Remains of Oakshade Hollow, 3:30 PM
The 4th Deep Recon Team had spent the past several hours searching the burned ruins for survivors, but to no avail. Whoever attacked Oakshade Hollow made sure not to leave any witnesses. Every building was reduced to a smoldering pile of ashes.
Eldryn was on his knees outside his former home. Droids had searched the wreckage earlier, and found the remains of Eldryn’s mother and younger brother. They were buried outside their former home. Droids and marines were busy digging graves for the other bodies they were able to recover from the village. In total, they found 73 bodies, all burned beyond recognition.
Daniel, taking a break from the manual labor, walked up behind Eldryn and placed his hand on Eldryn’s shoulder. Eldryn’s grief stricken face turned to look up at Daniel. “The Rontak Empire conscripted most of our able bodied men into their army,” Eldryn somberly told Daniel. “The bandits who did this were probably deserters from the army, after they lost the battle against you.” Eldryn pauses for a moment and looks at his family’s graves.
Daniel wasn’t sure how to respond to that information. If it were true, then the United States was partially responsible for the destruction of Oakshade Hollow. They destroyed the army that was supposed to protect villages like this. Instead, the remains of that army returned as bandits and pillaged the entire community.
Eldryn looked back at Daniel and said in a somber, but dead serious, tone “this is the doing of the Rontak Empire. All of it. On the graves of my mother and brother, I swear to have vengeance on the Rontak Empire.”
Daniel thought back to the little girl he saw at the vigil, before coming through the anomaly; grief was something he could relate to. “The Rontak Empire killed many of our people as well. But seeking vengeance won’t bring them back.”
“My home is in ruin. Vengeance is all I have left,” replied Eldryn.
“If you want, you can stay with us. We can take you back to Fort Roanoke after our mission is over,” Daniel offered.
“That is a kind offer, indeed. I was treated better as your prisoner than I was as a conscripted soldier of the Rontak Empire.”
“You wouldn’t be a prisoner anymore, Eldryn,” Daniel corrected. “We’ll classify you as a refugee. You’d be a free man.”
“That's more than I was under the Rontak Empire. Very well, Daniel, I accept your offer.”
While Daniel was speaking to Eldryn, Drs. Leila Ambrose and Alejandro Morales were investigating the remains of what used to be a barn. They were looking for clues as to what kind of livestock the natives kept.
Suddenly, Leila heard something kick up a pile of ashes and scurry beneath a pile of rubble. Curious, she moved a charred plank of wood and saw a truly strange creature. “Hey Alejandro, come check this out,” she said.
Alejandro, the team’s biology expert, came over and took a look at the creature. “Fascinating,” he said.
The creature in question had the body of an unusually large rat and the ears of a rabbit. It had two long and thin, slightly curved black horns growing out of the top of its head, pointed towards the back of its body. Its whole body was colored in red and orange fur, resembling fire. Despite its pointy horns, the creature was only the size of a house cat, so it didn’t pose a serious threat.
Alejandro leaned in closer to get a better look at the highly unusual creature. As he did so, the animal let out a fearful squeal and shot a column of fire out of its mouth towards him. Alejandro’s pant leg instantly caught on fire as the creature skittered away.
“Aaahhhh!!! MY LEG!”
Leila tackled him to the ground and tried to roll out the flame, but it kept burning. Alejandro let out another scream of pain as a few nearby marines ran over, alert and ready for anything.
Thinking quickly, Leila opened her canteen and poured water on Alejandro’s leg, finally putting out the fire. Private Alexia “Lexi” Thompson was the first marine to arrive. She knelt down beside Alejandro to take a look at the burn. “This is gonna require medical attention. Stay still, doctor,” she told him.
Emily came on the radio and said, “we heard screams, what's the situation?”
“Sir, this is Lexi. One of the civilians got burned, we need a medic over by the barn.”
“Copy that,” Emily said. She looked over towards Corporal Ethan Wilson, one of the team’s medics, and shouted, “Ethan! Grab a first aid kit and get over to the barn on the double!”
“YESSIR!” Ethan shouted. He started running back to the closest Rhino to grab a burn kit. Nearby, Eldryn and Daniel heard the commotion. Eldryn, grateful for the marines digging proper graves for his village, quickly led Daniel and Ethan to the remains of the barn.
As Ethan tended to Alejandro’s leg, Leila explained to the marines what happened. Dr. David Kim, the group’s physicist, was intrigued by the creature. “You say it breathed fire? Like a dragon?” David asked.
“If it were a fire dragon, your friend would be nothing but a pile of ash by now,” Eldryn said as he walked over and joined the conversation. “Perhaps it was a fire rat?”
‘Fire rat’ was as good a name for the creature she saw as any. Leila asked, “Do fire rats have bright flame colored fur, big ears and long pointy horns?”
His suspicions confirmed, Eldryn replied, “Yep, that's a fire rat. Nasty little pests. They’re not aggressive, but when frightened they use fire magic to ward off predators. They’re attracted to sources of heat, which is probably why the little guy was here.”
Reminded of his ruined home, Eldryn’s face resumed its saddened expression. “If you’re not careful around them, they can burn down entire buildings.”
David perked up at the mention of magic. “Fire magic?”
“I do not know much about magic, but I do know that fire rats are capable of using elemental fire mana.,” Eldryn replied.
David annoyed Eldryn for a bit with questions relating to fire magic. Not being a mage or a magically adept individual, Eldryn was unable to answer most of David’s questions.
With the day coming to an end, Daniel decides to make camp outside the remains of Oakshade Hollow for the night. They park the Rhinos at a right angle from each other in a small clearing near the village, providing protection on two sides. Four droids stand guard around the remaining two sides while the other four droids patrol around the camp, ever vigilant against any and all threats.
As night falls, the Rhino’s solar panels, which were removed earlier to charge the batteries, were flipped over and placed back in the Rhino to make breaking camp in the morning easier. The 4th Deep Recon Team gathers into groups for a delicious dinner of MREs.
Since the rest of the mission objectives were rather vague, the team was discussing where to head next. Eldryn suggests that they head to Thornwood, a village about 20 kilometers from Oakshade Hollow. Daniel agrees, hoping they will be able to make friendly contact with the inhabitants.
The team is talking about the day ahead of them when the unit’s other medic, Sergeant Martin Jackson, points to the night sky and shouts, “look! The moon!”
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The entire group turned their gaze north, to the moon they’ve all seen since they came through the anomaly. But that wasn’t the moon Martin was pointing towards. They all turned to the northwest, where Martin was pointing, and saw it. Many of the marines gasped, as did the three scientists and Agent Vanderhoff.
They weren’t shocked that the planet had two moons, that alone would be rather mundane compared to this. They were surprised by the colorful shades of green and blue on the moon. It wasn’t just a barren rock; it was habitable! In fact, the moon almost looked like Earth. This moon was clearly life bearing and looked to host vibrant plant life, at the very least.
A heated discussion was launched about what that moon would mean for the future. Would they send a manned moon mission to explore it? How would life evolve in such a low gravity environment? Eldryn was confused by this; to him, it was just one of his world’s moons. The idea of life being able to live on the moon was unheard of to him.
David tried to explain the concept of a solar system, and how the moons weren’t just small disks floating in the sky, but Eldryn wasn’t convinced. He had never heard of such preposterous ideas before. No one in the Rontak Empire, at least not in Eldryn’s small part of it, ever considered that the world was round. Various moon related discussions eventually died down as the group went to sleep for the night.
June 23rd, 2053
Rhinewood River Valley, Remains of Oakshade Hollow, 7:30 AM
The 4th Deep Recon Team was finishing up their breakfast, more MREs, and packing up their camp from the previous night. Their casual discussions this morning focused on the excitement from the moon from last night and their new destination: Thornwood.
They quickly finished up their morning preparations, and at oh-eight-hundred hours, they departed from Oakshade Hollow, heading towards Thornwood. The drive was rather uneventful and pleasant.
Eldryn told the team what he knew about Thornwood. Locally, it was known as a commerce hub, but it didn’t attract much trade from outside the Rhinewood River Valley. Daniel was hopeful that they would establish friendly relations with the village.
To Eldryn’s surprise, they arrived at Thornwood in less than an hour. “These machines of yours, this Rye-no, are very impressive.” Not having any rhinoceroses in the Rontak Empire, their language did not have an equivalent, and thus ‘Rhino’ was difficult for Eldryn to pronounce. “Usually, it would take the better part of a day to get to Thornwood from Oakshade Hollow.”
Up ahead, about 1 kilometer away, was Thornwood. Daniel decided to leave the Rhinos here and walk the rest of the way on foot, so as to not frighten the locals. Most of the unit stayed with the Rhinos, while Daniel led a small group towards the village. The first contact team consisted of Daniel, Marcus, Ethan, Sergeant Jennifer Hayes, Agent Vanderhoff, Dr. Leila Ambrose, Eldryn and two droids.
As they approached the village, they could see that Thornwood was considerably larger than Oakshade Hollow. The buildings were short and circular with almost flat conical roofs made of hay.
The village was arranged in a circular pattern. Family dwellings seemed to be placed on the edge of the village, with larger communal buildings placed towards the center. The largest building looked to be in the exact center of the village.
As they get closer to the village, a short elderly man with an impressively long gray beard comes forward, with his own entourage, to greet them.
“We have already given everything we have to the empire,” the elderly man shouts to them. “There is nothing more for you here, bandits! Turn back and leave us in peace, we beg you.”
The man and the villagers were clearly afraid that Daniel and his team were bandits coming to raid them.
Eldryn stepped forward and said, “good sir, my name is Eldryn Kothmar of Oakshade Hollow. These people are no bandits. They seek friendship with your town.”
The elderly man and his entourage seemed to relax a little as Eldryn identified himself as a resident of a neighboring village. Daniel spoke up to clarify their purpose and identity, “I am First Lieutenant Daniel Ramirez of the United States Marine Corps. We are not bandits and we are not here to harm you. We only wish to establish peaceful relations with your village.”
The group of villagers turned to each other and spoke to each other, still out of earshot. Then, the elderly man stepped forward towards Daniel and introduced himself. “I am High Elder Vashgus of Thornwood. If your intentions are as you say, then we welcome you as guests. Come then, friends. Let us show you our humble village.”
The first contact team and the group of villagers exchanged introductions before walking into the village together. Daniel radioed the Rhinos, informing them that they had made friendly contact and ordered them to hold their position for now.
As they walked through the village, towards the large central structure, the first contact team took in the less than pleasant sights. There was little sanitation and many of the people looked to be suffering from malnutrition. The remains of several burned buildings could be seen; signs of recent raiding or oppression.
Curious about the identity of the newcomers, Vashgus asked, “I have never heard of this ‘United States Marine Corps’. Are you mercenaries from across the sea seeking employment?”
Daniel let out a chuckle, “No, we’re not mercenaries. The United States is a country on the other side of an anomaly located on the Duremar plains.”
Vashgus’s expression suddenly tensed as he became aware of the consequences of associating with these people, “If you think we can shelter you from the Rontak Empire, you are quite foolish indeed, my friend. Never before have we seen people from the other side of a portal flee into the Rontak Empire to hide from it.”
Vashgus officially piqued Agent Vanderhoff’s interest, “You mean this has happened before? The Rontak Empire has created other ano- portals, before this one?”
“Yes, yes, of course,“ Vashgus clarified as they neared the large central structure. “Some 50 years ago, the Empire discovered an ancient scroll detailing the archaic art of portal magic. Ever since, they regularly create portals to other worlds to loot and enslave whoever is on the other side.”
Agent Vanderhoff, concerned that the Rontak Empire may be a multi planet empire, asked Vashgus, “and how many worlds does the Rontak Empire control?”
Vashgus laughed and said, “oh, don’t be ridiculous! The Rontak Empire does not keep their portals open! They are not stupid! They only raid the other side for a few years before collapsing the portal.”
“High Elder Vashgus,” Daniel began, “perhaps you could be of some assistance to us. Several hundred of our people were abducted by the Rontak Empire. We believe they were taken to a city called Rontak’s Reach.”
As they reached the large central building, Vashgus sighed, “yes, they probably were. After that, they would have been sold deeper into the Rontak Empire. I’m afraid it’s unlikely you will ever see them again.”
Daniel replied, full of determination, “we’ll see about that. If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I have to update my superiors on this new information.” Daniel stayed outside for a moment while the rest of the team went inside.
Daniel contacted the Rhinos and relayed the information regarding portals and the sale of their people. Then, he followed the rest of the team into the building.
The rest of the morning consisted of an information exchange between the 4th Deep Recon Team and Thornwood village. Vashgus gave them permission to bring the Rhinos closer to the village and for the rest of Daniel’s team to enter Thornwood.
The rest of the 4th Deep Recon Team began interacting with the townspeople. The villagers were surprised at how polite and professional the Americans were, and were eager to interact with them. They were used to soldiers taking whatever they wanted from the village, and acting more like bullies than professional soldiers.
Daniel explained the attack on New York City and the Rontak Empire’s subsequent defeat. There was some tension due to the fact that the United States just massacred the Empire’s Army, which included some conscripted members of Thornwood. But just like Eldryn, the people of Thornwood blamed the Rontak Empire, rather than the United States.
In turn, Vashgus told them about the basic conditions of the Rhinewood River Valley. On top of high taxes, the Rontak Empire occasionally extorts tribute and manpower from the local villages. They have to pay nearly all of their food and wealth to Lord Kushmon and the Portal Conquest Army, leaving little for themselves.
Most of the nearby villages resent the Rontak Empire. Despite learning of the loss of their conscripted family members, the people of Thornwood viewed the destruction of the Portal Conquest army and the arrival of the Americans as a cause for celebration. Lord Kushmon would no longer have reason to confiscate their food or conscript their people into his army; mainly because his army no longer existed.
Meanwhile, despite his limp, Alejandro discovered a curious animal called a ‘remble’ that the villagers kept as livestock. Rembles had a body structure similar to a cow, but with long shaggy green fur. They had large round heads with a wide triangular yellow beak instead of a mouth. According to one of the farmers, rembles provide meat, eggs, milk, and leather. Remble fur could be sheared off and used for various purposes. Apparently, garments made from remble fur were very comfortable and offered excellent protection against the elements.
Rembles were very docile and could reproduce fairly quickly. The only food a remble required was an open field of grass to graze on and the occasional pile of fruit. Their manure was a phenomenal fertilizer. The village used it to enhance their crop fields to great effect.
In Alejandro’s opinion, the remble was the perfect livestock animal. It produced nearly everything a farmer could need, all in one animal, with minimal upkeep. The farmers told him that the meat was quite delicious as well. Alejandro was surprised that such an ideal livestock animal actually existed, and made a mental note to acquire some rembles later for study.
While the 4th Deep Recon team was interacting with the people of Thornwood, they noticed a small cloud of dust approaching from the east. The villagers quickly began to panic.
Back in the central structure, Daniel, a few other marines, and Agent Vanderhoff were speaking with High Elder Vashgus when a frightened villager burst through the door.
“High Elder!” The villager caught his breath for a moment before continuing, “bandits are approaching on horseback from the East! Several hundred at least.”
Vashgus wasted no time giving instructions. He quickly stood up and began directing his people. “Get everyone to the town hall and barricade the entrance! Gather what little food and coins we have left and set it in a pile on the edge of town. Hurry! There isn't much time!”
Daniel approached Vashgus and asked him, “High Elder Vashgus, perhaps we could aid your town in this crisis.”
Vashgus, barely paying any attention to Daniel as he directed people, replied, “I appreciate your offer, but we would never be able to afford your payment. Besides, there are hundreds of bandits coming this way. You have less than two dozen warriors, and half of them are women. There is nothing you can do. You may either hide here with us, or take your chances on the open road.”
Every marine present took offense at Vashgus’s remarks. Both at his blatant sexism, and his lack of confidence in their abilities. They silently and unanimously decided to show Vashgus just how wrong he was, and to demonstrate the capabilities of the United States Marine Corps.
Daniel respectfully said to Vashgus, “High Elder Vashgus, we respect your desire for us not to get involved, but we cannot sit idly by and watch these raiders slaughter your village when we have the power to stop it. I assure you, we require no payment or tribute. Just sit back and let us do our job.”
With that, the marines left the town hall, leaving Vashgus dumbfounded that these people would risk their lives to protect his village and not demand payment. He quickly snapped out of his shock however, and continued coordinating his people.
Meanwhile, Daniel ordered everyone back to the Rhinos. Once they were all inside, they drove to the east edge of Thornwood to face the bandits. A recon drone confirmed what the frightened villager had said. There were 347 people on horseback rapidly approaching the village.
Daniel ordered the scientists and Agent Vanderhoff to stay in the Rhinos while the rest of the marines dismounted. The marines operating the Rhinos remained inside. Daniel was inside one of the Rhinos with Benny, Liv, and Marcus. The other Rhino was manned by Emily, and three other marines.
The droids deployed off the sides of the Rhinos and took a defensive position along with the rest of the marines on the outskirts of Thornwood village. The bandits were only 1 kilometer away now. The Rhinos adjusted their suspensions to angle the top of the vehicle forward slightly, to give them a better firing arc at the incoming bandits.
“Shall I target them with the ADS?” Asked Liv. Given that the men on horseback had hostile intentions but an unknown affiliation, Liv expected to use nonlethal force at first.
“Negative.” Daniel Replied. “Marcus, Target them with the mortar and .50 cal.”
“Sir?” Liv replied, questioning Daniel’s orders.
“If we drive them away, they’ll just come back later. Or go off to raid some other poor village,” Daniel explained. “We can’t let them do that.”
“Yes sir,” Marcus replied, as he selected the incoming bandits as targets for the .50 caliber machine gun and mortar. The Rhino’s AI relayed Daniel’s orders to Emily in the other Rhino as well.
A moment later, the Rhino’s AI confirmed all targets were locked. “Fire,” Daniel commanded.
The two Rhino’s opened fire on the bandits. Mortar shells whined through the air and 50. caliber bullets flew towards their targets. The marines and droids on the ground outside also opened fire with their ARX-35 assault rifles.
The bandits dropped like flies under the unexpected hail of bullets and mortar shells. In minutes, nearly the entire force of bandits was destroyed, with the scattered survivors dispersing away from Thornwood. They were no longer any threat.
After the battle, Vashgus understood how the Americans were able to defeat the Rontak Empire. Thornwood village was grateful to the Americans for their heroism and invited them to stay the night before continuing their mission in the morning.
Eldryn was impressed by their honorable interactions with, and the defense of, the people of Thornwood. Seeing an opportunity to align himself with a powerful nation in opposition of the Rontak Empire, Eldryn decides then and there that he will do everything he can to help the Americans.
The next morning, after leaving the villagers with a small supply of nutrient rich MREs, the 4th Deep Recon Team departs Thornwood village and continues their mission.
June 26th, 2053
Rhinewood River Valley
Over the past two days, the 4th Deep Recon Team made friendly contact with several more villages. They took note of the impoverished conditions most villages live in and put together a proposal for humanitarian aid to be sent to the region.
Now, they are nearing the northern end of the Rhinewood River Valley. Their next planned stop is Edgemeet, a city situated next to where the Rhinewood meets with a smaller river flowing from the Vushfall mountains.
Benny was driving the Rhino along the dirt road when he saw a group of people. “Sir,” he said, “we’ve got company.”
As they got closer, Daniel looked out the periscopes and saw a small group of 7 people on the road ahead. One person carried a whip and sat on a cart pulled by a minotaur. The minotaur wore thick shackles chained around his wrists and his disheveled black fur was matted and stained with blood in some areas.
The cart pulled by the minotaur carried a cage occupied by one person, who didn’t look as abused as the minotaur, but was still clearly mistreated. He wore tattered rags and was also shackled. The other four people were humans on horseback and carried various weapons. Benny stopped the Rhino at a non threatening distance, but of course still within the range of their weapons. Emily’s Rhino pulled up beside theirs.
“What do you guys make of this?” Daniel asked.
“Those people look like slavers, to me,” Liv replied.
“Yeah, same here,” said Benny. “Those guys are throwing major slaver vibes.”
“Sir, we have to help them,” Liv said, referring to the minotaur and the person in the cage.
The group of people had now stopped a few dozen meters in front of the Rhinos. They were looking up at the Rhinos with a mix of curiosity and fear, not sure what to make of them.
“You’re absolutely right, Liv,” Daniel replied. “Marcus, target the men on horseback with the ADS but don’t fire until I give the order. Liv, be ready to deploy the droids.”
Liv and Marcus nodded and did as they were told. The Rhino’s AI also communicated Daniel’s orders to Emily, in the other Rhino. Then, Daniel pulled a lever and the command cabin’s hatch opened up.
Daniel stood up, his head and neck sticking out of the top of the Rhino, and addressed the group ahead of them. “I am First Lieutenant Daniel Ramirez of the United States Marine Corps. State your identity and purpose,” commanded Daniel.
“Our names are no business of yours,” replied the apparent leader of the group. He was slightly better dressed than the rest of his men. “We are simple merchants taking these slaves to be sold at Rontak’s Reach, where they will fetch the highest price.”
“So these two people are slaves?” Daniel asked, pointing at the minotaur and the person in the cage.
“Yeah, but personally, I wouldn’t call a minotaur and an elf ‘people’,” the leader said, as he and his men shared a laugh.
Daniel ignored the revelation tha caged man was an elf. “The United States does not tolerate the practice of slavery. You will relinquish these people into our custody immediately,” Daniel proudly ordered.
“These slaves are our property! We acquired them at considerable expense. If you want them, why don’t you come down off your metal beast and take them!” The so-called ‘merchants’ all made threatening gestures with their weapons.
“This is your final warning,” Daniel said as he nodded to Liv. She understood his silent message and deployed the Rhino’s four droids. The other Rhino’s four droids also deployed, coordinated by the vehicles’ AI. As the eight droids walked to the front of the Rhinos, ARX-35 assault rifles aimed at the slavers, Daniel continued, “surrender them into our custody immediately.”
The sudden appearance of eight strange looking men was enough to destroy the slavers’ confidence. Seeing the odds shift against them, the leader said to Daniel, “Fine! Take’em!”
The leader spun around on his horse and, speaking to his subordinates, said, “we’d better get back to Edgemeet, and tell Count Daskanius about these slave-freeing bandits! YAH!” One of the slavers pulled the man riding the cart onto his horse, and they all rode off, leaving the two slaves behind.
“Nice work, sir,” Liv said to Daniel.
“Let's get these guys checked out,” Daniel said. “They probably need medical attention.”
Daniel and Liv, alongside the team’s medics, Ethan and Martin, got out of the Rhinos and approached the minotaur and the man in the cage, who the slavers said was an elf. Agent Vanderhoff came as well, hoping it might be an opportunity to gather intelligence.
“Get them out of those shackles,” Daniel told the droids.
One of the droids went over to the cage, and ripped the door open as if the lock wasn’t even there and then did the same to the elf’s shackles. Then, the droid helped the elf down to the ground. The elf curiously looked at the droid and said, “Thank you, mechanical man.”
Another droid walked up to the minotaur, who became agitated as the droid approached.
“It's alright, we’re not going to hurt you. We just want to get you out of those things,” Daniel told him, pointing to the shackles around his hands.
The droid walked up to the minotaur and easily pried the shackles open. The minotaur then said, in a deep raspy voice, “thank you, strangers.”
“These men are medics,” Liv said, pointing to Ethan and Martin, “they can… umm… heal your wounds.”
Ethan went up to the elf and Martin went to the minotaur. While they examined the former slaves’ injuries, Daniel asked them, “what are your names?”
“I am Thungar,” said the minotaur.
“And I am Elmot,” said the elf.
Just after the elf and minotaur said their names, Emily emerged from the top of her Rhino. “Sir! I just got off the radio with Lieutenant General Reed. We’ve been ordered to return to Fort Roanoke!”
This took the marines by surprise. Why was a Deep Recon Team being recalled in the middle of their mission? Something must have happened. Maybe it was another enemy attack?
“What? Why?” Daniel asked, confused.
“He didn’t say, but we are to report back to Fort Roanoke immediately. It sounded urgent.”
“Alright. Droids, get back to the Rhinos,” Daniel ordered. As the droids returned to the Rhinos, Daniel turned back to their newly freed friends, and said, “we’d like to take you back to our base, if that's alright with you.”
“There's plenty of food and medicine, you’ll be safe with us,” Liv added.
Thungar and Elmot both nodded. They couldn’t stay where they were or go out alone. Every village in the area knew the consequences of aiding escaped slaves. The strangers’ promise of food and medicine was the best option they had.
Daniel ushered Elmot and Thungar towards the back of the Rhinos. Setting aside their surprise that the beast was hollow and carried many more men, they climbed aboard.
Thungar, however, was too large to fit comfortably inside the Rhino. The seats were far too small for a minotaur. Thungar had to ride with his head and shoulders sticking out of the crew compartment’s topside hatch.
Once everyone was onboard the Rhinos, Daniel gave the order to move out. They turned around, and headed back to Fort Roanoke.
Author’s note: If you have any ideas for magical materials, let me know! The list I gave in the world building section doesn’t have to be comprehensive. Any suggestions for Crimson steel or viridium? And don’t worry, magic and magic materials are about to become very relevant in the next chapter!
I removed the gore warning because even though I describe the effects of modern weapons in chapter 3, I wouldn't call it "vivid" or "disturbing". If anyone has a problem with that, let me know and I'll put the warning back up.
This chapter had an image with it and I'm not sure how to add an image on Royal Road, so heres a link to my story on Wattpad, so you can see the map.
https://www.wattpad.com/1380491801-american-gate-chapter-5-first-contact