Victor shrugged, standing up and walking to the coffee machine in the corner of the observation room.
“Want a cup?” he asked the captive Empress.
“A cup? Of what, exactly?”
Victor pressed a button on the machine, it releasing a cup into the empty chamber at the front. Subsequently, the machine began to dispense coffee into the cup, filling it to the brim.
“Coffee.” he said, picking up the steaming hot cup and taking a sip. “Shit, forgot the sugar.”
“Cof-fee? I’ve never heard of such a thing. I shall partake in trying this drink you speak of.” she replied, curious as to what exactly the drink was.
Victor once again pressed the button on the machine. Cup dropped, and coffee dispensed. Placing his cup on the table, he grabbed the cup from the machine and walked to the door of the cell.
Opening the door, Seraphina cowered onto her bed.
“Oh, relax. I’m not going to hurt you.” Victor said, placing the cup of coffee on a table next to the bed. He then sat down on a chair opposite the bed. He ordered Luna to bring his cup of coffee to him, her taking a sip from the cup where Victor had laid his lips.
“No fair.” Lilith said to Luna, jealousy taking over her senses. Luna stuck her tongue out at Lilith before giving Victor the drink.
“Now, I know you want to know exactly what happened to cause the destruction of the city. Well, I have a simple answer. The thing that caused all the destruction was, what we call, a nuclear missile.” Victor explained, taking occasional sips from his coffee. “Though I wasn’t the one to launch it.”
“Nuclear missile? Is that what you call that Cloud Piercer? I’ve seen destruction caused by these from the Arcanite Dominion before, but not on such a devastating scale.” Seraphina said, eyeing the cup of coffee on the table.
Arcanite Dominion?” Victor asked with a curious inflection in his voice. First it was the Mechanorans, now it’s the Arcanite Dominion? “Now this is interesting. Veeeery intersting. You mentioned these ‘Cloud Piercers’. What exactly are they?”
Seraphina picked up the cup of coffee and took a sip. Her face lit up as the drink entered her mouth. The bitterness of the coffee, coupled with its deep, earthy undertones, was a welcome departure from the bland drinks she was used to drinking.
“I apologize. I’ve just never tasted such an interesting elixir before. This is truly interesting. How is this made?” she asked, only to be dismissed by Victor, who was only interested in having his question answered.
“I’ll tell you later, but now I want to know more about what I just asked.”
Seraphina placed down her cup and locked her fingers together.
“Well, since you have the decency to treat me as well as you have done, I guess it’s the least I could do.” she started, realising that if anyone was taken captive by the hands of her soldiers, the regular procedure would be to use a psychic to pry into their minds to extract information before killing them. “We’ve been having issues with both the Mechanoran’s and the Arcanite Dominion for a good while now, but for some strange reason, the Arcanites have seemingly retreated for some unknown reason. They have possession of great technologies that far surpass our own, similar to your technologies.”
“Interesting… These technologies that the Arcanites have access to, what exactly are they and how do they work?” Victor asked, Seraphina’s eyes closing as she entered deep thought.
“Well, we don’t know exactly what they possess exactly, but it seems to be some kind of advanced magitech. They use vehicles not too dissimilar from your own, large armoured carriages that can unleash great destruction. They also have their signature long range weapons, their Cloud Piercers. From what our engineers have been able to make sense of with captured examples, they are very complex. Aether infused stones seem to be what they use as an agent for explosion. The body of the Cloud Piercers seem to always be adorned with various runes which help with their flight.”
Victor looked at a watch on his wrist, making sure that there was an active recording being made. “I see. That’s rather intriguing to know that there are more advanced civilizations in this world. Though it doesn’t make sense as to why they would’ve retreated. They could’ve easily wiped you out way before now…”
Seraphina interjected, “Well, my warriors aren’t pushovers. Even with the weaponry supplied by the Mechanorans, they struggled greatly against the tenacity of my armies. It was only recently when they began to retreat, as if they were struggling against an enemy themselves. The enemy they could be facing may be much more powerful than them, which would explain why they have completely pulled back.”
Victor thought for a second, before brushing such a notion aside. The realisation that they had only ceased a few days ago struck Victor as oddly coincidental. It hadn’t been too long since they had been transported to this world, so an unsettling feeling lingered.
He took another swig of his coffee, before the cup was empty. Once it was empty, he tossed it into a bin in the corner of the room with great precision, the cup landing in it with grace.
“Well, I think this warrants further investigation from us. I have a bad feeling I know exactly what’s causing them to struggle so much.”
Seraphina shook her head, before leaning in towards Victor. “A bad feeling? What do you mean?”
“It means that if my feeling is right, we have much more pressing matters to attend to, and these kingdoms you mentioned are the least of them.” Victor said with a look of dread on his face.
Victor stood from the chair and began to walk to the door. As he did, Seraphina began to shake uncontrollably. The revelation that even the leader of the army that brought ruin to her empire was worried about a potential unknown was gut-wrenching.
Before he could exit the room, a voice sounded over the PA speakers. “Attention, Lieutenant Victor Thorn, you are required at the Temple ASAP.”
Hearing the announcement, Victor darted out of the door, leaving Lilith and Luna behind to guard the captive Empress.
Victor briskly jogged down the corridors of the building, through the courtyard, and into the Temple, before being met with a familiar face.
“Lieutenant, you’ve made quite a name for yourself. I am impressed.”
Victor promptly saluted the man before him. “General Slavik, Sir. What brings you to this neck of the woods?”
“At ease.” he began. “I thought it would be a good idea to pay a visit and check on the progress of things over here. Looks like you’ve been busy.”
Victor smiled slightly. “Well, I appreciate the compliment, General. How are things back home?”
Slavik sighed before replying, “Well, things could be better, but thanks to your actions, food is no longer a problem. While we are still able to grow more exotic foods in vertical farms and bio-domes, the imported food certainly alleviates the stress put on them. The population seems to be adjusting to the country well, most finding solace in the surrounding forests and mountains. Rapid progress has been made in the construction of new habitation in those areas, though many wish to expand inland.”
“I understand, but that would require plenty of land. Land we do not have access t-” Victor said, before being cut off by Slavik.
“Land that you will acquire. I authorise you to use whatever is necessary to attain as much land as possible. With this, I have another announcement to make.” Slavik began before being interrupted by two visitors entering the temple.
Victor turned around, hearing the bickering of two females. Bickering that was all too familiar to him at this point. As the girls were noticed by the two men, they immediately silenced, walking toward Victor.
Lilith was the first to speak. “Seraphina seems to be doing fine, so we left her to come and accompany you.”
After Lilith finished, Luna spoke up. “She did seem pretty shaken after you left. Anyway, who’s this guy?” she said, pointing at Slavik.
“Watch your tone. This is General Anton Slavik, acting leader of the Brotherhood of Nod in the absence of Kane.” Victor boomed, making sure to hammer across the point of Slavik’s authority.
Luna and Lilith bowed, Luna apologizing for her rudeness.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“Interesting cast of characters you have there, Lieutenant. I take it these are the ones you keep mentioning in your reports?” asked Slavik.
Victor nodded in reply, being met by Slavik eyeing the two anthros. Lilith’s fluffy fox tail wagged as Slavik inspected her and Luna. “I guess Females are more common as warriors in this world.” Slavik mused.
“Anyway, back to what I was saying,” he continued. “In order to attain the needed land, I authorise you to use whatever resources you require. Alongside this, with the authority granted to me by Kane himself, I hereby promote you from Lieutenant to the rank of Grand Vizier. May you continue your exemplary work in the name of Kane.”
Victor saluted before being interrupted by an out of breath soldier who just barged through the doors to the Temple.
“We got hostiles closing in on Clestera. Orders, sir?” he barked, out of breath.
Slavik nodded toward Victor, expecting him to take up the request for orders. Victor sighed, looking at Slavik.
“Do we have any intel on the hostiles? Their weaponry, how many there are… How do you expect me to issue orders with no information other than there being hostiles?”
The soldier shuddered, trying to speak through his nervous sputters.
“W-Well, drone imagery show them to be a highly mechanized force, using what can only be explained as what seem to be German tanks and vehicles from the Second World War. Closest thing they can be described as are Panzer II’s, and half-tracks. Plenty of troop carriers, though they don’t seem to be carrying many soldiers, but more civilians.”
Victor’s eyes widened at hearing the explanation. He thought back to the conversation he had with Seraphina about the Arcanite Dominion and their armoured forces. The idea that they were on the move somewhat unsettled him, as from what he could hear, the Arcanites were more than able to look after and defend themselves. The thought of them potentially being on the run didn’t sit well with him.
“Did you see the composition of the troops?” Victor asked, the soldier pulling out a paper pad.
Reading the pad, the soldier began speaking again. “Composition… Well, there wasn’t really much of a troop presence, which seems strange. I suspect the nuke might’ve scared them somewhat. That, or they’re running from something. That would explain the number of unarmed civilians that have been seen travelling alongside them.”
“Very well. I’ll have to make my way there. Prepare me a Harpy. I’m gonna want to see for myself.” Victor ordered. The soldier nodded before rushing out toward a helipad.
“Seems like our meeting has concluded, Victor. Well, you have your mission. Go see it through. If they are truly running from something, I want to hear about it.” Slavik said, being met with Victor’s salute. “I’ll be heading back to Temple Prime in the Montauk. Keep up the good work and you might find a way into the Inner Circle proper. Good luck, Grand Vizier.”
Slavik left the room through the elevator, descending down to the subterranean tunnels beneath the Temple which housed the Montauk. Upon Slavik’s exit, Victor began walking to the exit of the Temple before being stopped by Lilith and Luna.
“Sir, what are your orders?” Lilith said, her tail wagging madly. Her eyes locked with Victor’s, waiting for his response. Luna stood beside her, waiting patiently.
“You two, you are to stay here. Keep an eye on Seraphina and try to extract more information about our potential adversaries.” Victor ordered, Lilith’s tail’s wagging slowing to a stop before drooping. “Look, Lilith… I don’t have a clue what we’re up against, and if the Arcanite’s are running from something, it sure isn’t anything good. I don’t want any of you to be in harm’s way if the worst comes to pass.”
The girls straightened their posture before walking out of the room towards the holding cells, not a word spoken. Victor sighedm feeling as if he disappointed them somewhat, but he knew that if either of them got hurt, it’d be bad for not just him but the Brotherhood and their relations with the surrounding countries.
As he wrapped up his thinking session, Victor exited the Temple and headed to the readied Harpy Gunship.
“Been a little while since I’ve flown a helo.” He mused aloud, stepping into the cockpit of the Harpy. The one-seat cockpit’s hatch lowered down as he equipped his flight helmet. The rotors began spinning to life as he went through all his preflight checks. Fuel, check. Ammunition, check. Flight nav system, operational.
“Time to see what we’re dealing with.”
----------------------------------------
Skies above Celestera, Brotherhood occupied Veridian Capital.
The Harpy gunship soared effortlessly through the dark sky above the city, the sun struggling to make a dent in the thick smoke that filled the air after the explosion. Through the smoke, a completely destroyed city laid beneath. People ran through the smouldering city like ants, not aware of the deadly effects that the present radiation and nuclear fallout posed to those without proper protection.
The city was filled with Nod forces, all wearing heavy armour which protected them from the elements. If they were good enough to negate most of the effects of Tiberium exposure, they were more than capable of protecting against the aftermath of a nuclear explosion.
Tanks and other Nod vehicles littered the city, many of the Tick Tanks having buried themselves into the ground, acting as stationary turrets in various locations. Bikes, buggies, and other light vehicles buzzed around the city, keeping an eye on the inhabitants as they franticly tried to figure out what had happened.
The gunship neared the edge of the city’s north gates as Victor, who was piloting the Harpy, spotted a large crowd heading toward the city, albeit very slowly and seemingly apprehensively. Victor decided to press on, the crowd growing in size as he approached. The closer he got to the crowd, the more he could make out. From what he was told before beginning his journey, there were many civilians in this crowd.
Coming into view, Victor looked through the optics of the gun camera, zooming into some of the crowd. The report was correct. An overwhelming majority of the crowd was indeed made of civilians, completely shadowing the military presence. What little military was present seemed to be comprised of vehicles that looked right out of the Second World War, mainly those of German design. Seemingly very early-war designs, compared to the late war after the Allied unification of Europe against the Soviets toward 1952.
The vehicles seemed to be comprised mainly of what seemed to be early-war Panzer II Ausf. Cs, Sd.Kfz. 11 transport trucks, Kübelwagens, and Panzer 35(t) tanks. All were heading toward the city, likely not knowing of the destruction that had taken place there. As Victor in his gunship drew closer to the large crowd, they all seemed to slow to a stop, before many of the tanks began to slowly turn to aim at the Harpy.
Victor, sensing the possibility of an attack, decided to land the Harpy, lowering it to the ground and letting the rotors spin to a stop. He decided not to exit the Harpy out of curiosity. As he thought, most were too scared to approach, but one man wearing what could only be described as an early war Wehrmacht officer’s uniform, armband and all. Though the insignia on the armband was completely different to the symbols used on earth.
As the officer approached, he pulled out his pistol. Once again, this amused Victor as the pistol looked to be the exact same as an old Luger. He chuckled to himself as the officer approached the harpy. As he did, the officer began shouting in a language he couldn’t understand
"Inn ešmichin Kunsthandwerk? Du bist nicht ein von ihnen, oder?" the officer said, sounding suspiciously like German, but not exactly. Some of the words sounded German alright, but some sounded off.
Victor decided to reply in English, as this world seems to use it as a somewhat common language.
“Can you say that again? I can’t understand German” he replied to the officer, startling him somewhat as the voice was amplified by the loudspeaker fitted to the Harpy.
The officer was shocked, not only by the reply, but the sound of the reply. Victor’s voice echoed throughout the whole of the crowd, waking those sleeping in the transport trucks.
“Oh, so you can only speak common tongue, just like them too… I apologise for my haste. I am Officer Hauptmann Eisenstern of the Arcanite Sturmwacht. May I know who I am speaking with?”
Victor acknowledged Hauptmann’s request for identification, and decided to exit the Harpy. He opened the canopy of the gunship, revealing Victor in his heavy armour. His helmet brought a sense of intimidation, the red and black somewhat matching with the scheme of some of the Arcanite’s iconography.
As he climbed out of the cockpit, Victor made sure he had his pistol ready by his side, just in case. Walking toward the officer, Victor extended his left had for a handshake in a friendly manner. The officer obliged and shook Victor’s hand.
“Grand Vizier Victor Thorn of the Black Hand of the Brotherhood of Nod. Pleased to make your acquaintance. I couldn’t help but notice you were all on your way to the Veridian capital. Why is that?”
Hauptmann lowered his head, somewhat in defeat. “We are in dire need of help. Our fatherland is in turmoil. We have recently been battling against an enemy we once thought were nothing more than upstarts. They appeared out of nowhere, very recently too might I add. At first, they seemed to want to engage in friendly relations with us, but after seeing our army in action, they turned. They began attacking us with strange looking planes, along with colossal walking tanks that defied explanation. As we began to fight back, we were losi-”
Victor’s heart began pounding. “No… It can’t be…” he said aloud, seemingly staring into space at the thought. “Did you see any emblems on anything? What colours were the vehicles?”
“From what I recall, they flew the flag of an Eagle in gold.”
“GDI… Well, fucking shit!” Victor shouted, throwing his pistol to the ground. Hauptmann backed off, seeing that Victor was somewhat enraged at something.
“GDI? You are familia-”
“When I thought things were going well for us… Let’s just say that we’ve been at war for something around 50 years now.” Victor said picking his pistol up from the ground and placing it in his holster. “And how many of them were there?”
Hauptmann scratched his head before replying, “There didn’t seem to be very many of them, but the size and firepower of their vehicles put ours to shame. We were barely able to make a dent in their armour.”
“Not surprising. There’s a reason why they’re called the Global Defence Initiative.” Hauptmann looked at Victor, worry now taking over him. If this force has been at war for over 50 years, then they are certainly better equipped than them.
“Although we are at odds with the Veridian Empire, I hoped to reach out an olive branch of peace between us in exchange for aid. I’m wondering if you’d be able to help us with this? You seem to be acquainted with this GDI.”
Victor laughed at the thought of them looking toward the Veridian Empire for help, deciding to break the bad news.
“Well, if you’re looking for help from them, I hate to break it to you but we kinda removed them from the face of the planet.”
The revelation shocked Hauptmann to his core, noticing that the city on the horizon was billowing smoke like a factory during wartime. He thought back to the battles he had waged upon the Veridians, and the tenacity of their warriors. To think they could be brought to ruin in such a short time was a disturbing revelation.
“You… You destroyed the city?” he asked, still in shock.
“We did, yes. We managed to capture the Empress and have now occupied the city. I guess we’re in-charge of whatever is left of the Empire now, so I suppose you ‘re more likely to want help from us instead.” Victor explained, the worried officer practically on his knees.
“You harbour such destructive power… I envy your Brotherhood. Please, if you can. Save our kingdom.”