Fort Vanguard, Command Center
Commanding General Carter sat at his desk in the command center, surrounded by a sea of reports detailing the base's current status: logistics, reconnaissance updates, security protocols, and resource allocations. The command center was a hub of constant activity, with soldiers and officers monitoring screens, radios, and incoming reports. Carter, reviewing a stack of papers, was deep in thought when one of his communications officers approached at a quick pace, his face grim.
"General," the soldier said, standing at attention. "We’ve just received a priority report from the Envoy team. The city of Erlun is under attack... by a dragon." The words hung in the air for a moment, since Carter was not used to hearing that kind of reports. The officer's tone remained serious, professional, but there was an underlying tension mix of disbelief and urgency.
Carter paused, processing the information. 'A dragon?' Despite the strange new world they’d been thrust into, reports of mythical creatures attacking cities were still hard to comprehend. He put down the papers and gave the officer his full attention, knowing this situation required swift, decisive action.
Carter didn’t even flinch at the report, though deep down he still found it absurd. Without hesitation, he gave the order, knowing there was no time to waste. “Send air support immediately. Get the Envoy team to retreat from the city,” he commanded, his voice firm. He might not fully grasp the reality of dragons yet, but he wasn’t about to risk the lives of his men. Actions came first and questions could wait.
The base alarm blares across the airstrip, and the sun is just starting to set. Airmen rush into action, each knowing their role. One pilot, Captain Scott Davis, gets the call over his earpiece while he’s in the ready room. “Falcon 1, scramble for immediate air support. Hostile in Erlun. Priority one.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Scott springs from his seat, grabs his helmet, and sprints down the hallway toward the flight deck. As he bursts through the doors, the ground crew is already prepping his F-35. The canopy is up, and the refueling hose is being pulled back. A crew chief is at the ladder, giving him a quick thumbs-up.
Scott climbs into the cockpit, strapping himself in, checking his displays as the engines start whirring. He runs through the pre-flight checklist with precision, knowing every second counts. The jet hums to life as the crew pulls away, signaling all clear.
“Falcon 1 to control, ready for takeoff,” he radios in, eyes locked ahead on the runway as the blast shield raises.
“Falcon 1, you are cleared for takeoff. Godspeed.”
The engines roar as Scott throttles forward. The F-35 speeds down the runway, the G-forces pushing him into his seat. In seconds, the nose lifts, and the jet soars into the sky, banking toward the city of Erlun, ready for battle.
Kingdom of Eldarion, Erlun
As Captain Scott streaked through the skies above Erlun in his F-35, the dragon came into view, its massive form casting a shadow over the fleeing convoy. His targeting systems locked onto the creature, and he opened the radio to the envoy team below.
“Envoy Team, this is Falcon 1.We have you on visual. Preparing to engage. Stay on course, we'll handle the flying lizard.”
“Copy that, Falcon 1!” Tyler’s voice came through, tense but clear.
Scott steadied the jet, lining up the shot. His targeting system locked on, the heat signature of the dragon lighting up on his screen. With a sharp breath, he armed the missile and fired.
“Fox Two!” he called, releasing the missile.
The missile rocketed through the air, closing the distance in a matter of seconds. It struck the dragon in its side, detonating on impact. A plume of smoke and fire erupted from the explosion, but as the smoke cleared, Scott's eyes widened in disbelief. The dragon was completely unharmed, its massive scales shimmering as if the missile hadn’t even scratched it.
“Are you kidding me?!” Scott muttered under his breath. The dragon let out a deafening roar, turning its head toward the F-35.
Suddenly, the beast abandoned its chase of the convoy and locked its gaze on Scott's jet. “Envoy Team, the dragon’s turning on me!” Scott called over the radio as the dragon flapped its enormous wings and ascended, rapidly closing the distance.
Scott pulled back hard on the controls, pushing the jet into a steep climb. The F-35 roared as it ascended into the sky, higher and higher. He glanced at his rear display, the dragon was still following, its speed shocking as it chased him into the clouds. Scott pushed the throttle to the limit, the jet shuddering as it reached its maximum altitude.
As the altitude climbed, the dragon's pursuit began to slow. The higher Scott flew, the more the dragon struggled to keep pace. At last, with one final frustrated roar, the dragon gave up the chase. It flapped its wings in retreat, descending rapidly away the city and away from the F-35.
Scott steadied his breath, leveling out the jet. “Falcon 1 to Envoy Team,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “The dragon's backing off. You’re in the clear. I’ll continue to monitor from up here.”
As the dragon retreated into the distance, disappearing beyond the horizon, the tension in the city of Erlun finally broke. The sound of its massive wings flapping grew fainter, and for the first time since the attack began, there was a moment of quiet.
Then, all at once, the streets erupted with cheers.
From their windows, rooftops, and hiding places, the people of Erlun emerged, their faces lighting up with relief and joy. Mothers clutched their children, tears of gratitude in their eyes, while soldiers on the city walls raised their weapons in victory. A chorus of cheers and applause spread through the streets, echoing against the buildings as the news spread, the dragon was gone.
In the center of the city, a group of villagers knelt, giving thanks to the gods for sparing them. Others waved at the distant F-35 still patrolling the skies, some shouting praises toward the sky, convinced that the "flying warrior" had saved them.
As the dragon finally turned away, its massive wings beating against the sky, the convoy could breathe a sigh of relief. The M1280 rocked slightly from the movement, and through the thick windows, they could see the beast growing smaller in the distance.
Inside the vehicle, the tension was clear. Parker, Tyler, Jeanne, Gabriel, Michael, William, Jacob, and Lucas were crammed together, some sitting in the front while the others were in the rear hatch. All of them were sweating from both the heat and stress, gripping their rifles and gear tightly.
Tyler, sitting closest to the comms, turned to the others, his voice shaking but hopeful. "Dragon’s gone, at least for now."
Michael, still holding his rifle, leaned back against the side of the hatch. “Yeah, but that thing didn’t even flinch after the missile hit it. How long until it comes back?”
Lucas, seated at the back, called out to Parker, who was in the driver’s seat. "Parker, take us through the west gate," he said, his voice steady but urgent.
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"Got it," Parker replied, his tone heavy with exhaustion but focused on the task at hand.
As they were about to enter the west main road of Erlun, William noticed something unusual. A figure clad in iron armor appeared on a nearby rooftop, somehow keeping pace with their vehicle. In an instant, the armored figure leaped down, landing right in front of the lead M1280 ahead of them.
Ethan, now driving the lead M1280 after the formation had shifted, saw the white-armored figure suddenly appears in front of the vehicle. Instinctively, he slammed on the brakes, bringing the convoy to a halt.
Ethan and Ryan quickly went on high alert at the sight of the armored figure. Both flicked their rifles off safety and carefully opened their doors.
Ethan grabbed the radio and relayed to Parker, "Parker, convoy halted. Unknown individual in armor obstructing the road. Proceeding to assess threat." He kept his voice clear and calm, while maintaining focus on the potential threat ahead.
As Ethan and Ryan exited the vehicle, the tension in the air was intense. Ethan took a cautious step forward, raising his voice in a controlled but firm tone, "Hello? Do you need something?"
Ryan, meanwhile, kept a sharp eye on the figure, his rifle at the ready. He was studying every movement, prepared to react instantly to any sign of aggression. His fingers hovered over the rifle's trigger, ready to respond with force if the situation escalated.
The figure in iron armor finally spoke, his voice deep and commanding. "I am Oliver Boxton, head knight of the Royal Cavalry of Eldarion," he said, his tone firm and unwavering. "I come on behalf of Duke Eldric, who has requested an audience with you."
His stance remained steady, and although his words were formal, there was an undeniable sense of urgency behind them. His gaze shifted between the soldiers, maintaining eye contact as he waited for their response, all the while keeping his hand near his weapon, though not in an overtly threatening manner.
Ethan immediately grabbed his radio and spoke urgently. "Parker, this is Ethan. We’ve got a person in full iron armor blocking our path. He claims to be Oliver Boxton, head knight of the Royal Cavalry of Eldarion. He mention the Duke wants to meet with us."
Parker, his eyes scanning the surroundings, responded firmly. "Understood, Ethan. But the command center’s orders were clear—we're to return immediately. I’m notifying the Command Center now to update them on the situation. Stay put and don’t engage unless we have to."
He switched to the command frequency, his tone professional as he spoke. "Command Center, this is Parker. We've encountered an individual claiming to be the Duke’s knight. Holding our position for now, awaiting further instructions. Over."
The radio crackled to life once again. It was the Command Center at Fort Vanguard, and Parker knew this was the moment that would determine the course of the mission.
“Parker, this is Command. We’ve reviewed the situation. The Duke has requested an audience, and we’ve cleared it for you. Proceed, but remain on high alert. If anything feels off, pull back immediately.”
"Understood, Command. We’ll proceed with caution. Parker out.”
The Envoy team had a change of plans, they were meeting Duke Thaddeus once again. William exhaled deeply, still exhausted from the events earlier.
Duke Residence, Audience Hall
As the ten of them entered the grand audience hall of Duke Thaddeus' residence, their eyes were drawn to the Duke, who sat at the center of the room. Beside him stood a striking young woman, dressed in an elegant gown with a sword hanging at her side. The hall was filled with various individuals, some in military uniforms and others in formal attire, all gathered for what appeared to be a momentous occasion.
William stepped forward, moving with purpose toward the Duke. As he reached the front of the hall, he knelt before the Duke in respect, and the rest of the Envoy team followed suit, acknowledging the formality of the setting. The air was thick with expectation as they awaited the Duke's command.
As William, the ambassador, stood before Duke Thaddeus, he respectfully asked, “Your Grace, may I inquire as to the purpose of this summons?”
Duke Thaddeus nodded, his face warm with gratitude as he gestured for William to rise. “Of course, Ambassador William,” he began, his voice filled with respect. “I have brought you here not only to discuss matters of importance but also to personally thank the United States of America for its support.”
The Duke’s gaze moved to the window, as if recalling the recent events. “The 'Flying Warriors' with the United States of America's flag, we have come to call them, have truly been a blessing. The sight of those majestic thing soaring through the skies and swiftly dealing with the threat that loomed over us... It was nothing short of miraculous.”
He turned back to face William and the envoy team. “Thanks to your country’s intervention, the people of Erlun can rest easier tonight. That beast that once threatened to destroy our city has been driven away, and it was because of the precision and power your forces brought. I wanted to make sure you understood just how deeply we appreciate the support.”
The room fell silent for a moment, the gravity of the Duke's words settling in as William and the rest of the envoy team absorbed the acknowledgment of their efforts.
William furrowed his brow in confusion. "Your Grace," he began, his voice tinged with skepticism, "how could you have seen the flag on the flying warrior? It would be impossible for anyone to make out such details from that distance. The aircraft is too high, and the speed is far too fast for the human eye to catch such specifics."
The Duke gave a knowing smile, as if he had anticipated this question. He gestured toward his daughter, who stood beside him with an air of calm assurance. “Ah, yes. That’s magic,” the Duke began. “You see, Ambassador, there are those among us who possess certain… abilities. Some have enhanced vision, others strength or agility, depending on their affinity for magic. My daughter, Lady Elara, is one of those gifted individuals.”
William turned to Lady Elara, now looking at her with renewed interest. She simply nodded, acknowledging the Duke’s words. “I can see things others cannot,” she explained softly, her gaze meeting William’s. “Not just through normal sight, but with a clarity that comes from my magic. It allows me to perceive even the smallest of details, even from great distances.”
William was silent for a moment, processing this new information. Magic was real in this world, a concept that had seemed fantastical even with all they had encountered so far. Still, there was a question in his mind. “So, if magic exists here,” he asked, “can you cast spells? Like… fireballs?”
The Duke chuckled softly at William’s question, the smile never leaving his face. “Ah, not so simply, Ambassador. What you’re referring to is a type of grand casting, a spell that creates something out of nothing. It requires the combined power of multiple magic users, as it draws on more than just one’s natural gift. A fireball, for example, may be created by a single caster, but it takes much more effort and skill to control and wield it effectively. It is not something one can simply call upon without proper training.”
William nodded, absorbing the Duke’s words. The idea of magic and its limitations was still foreign to him, but it was becoming clearer. "So, it’s not as simple as just casting spells at will."
“Precisely,” the Duke replied. “Magic is as much about discipline and control as it is about power. To truly understand it, one must first learn the rules of this world.”
As William processed the Duke’s explanation, a thought in his mind. 'Magic… it's real in this world, but not in the way I had imagined. I had read stories and books back in the United States about mage and sorcerers casting fireballs, conjuring storms, and manipulating the elements at will. But this was different.' The magic here wasn’t as straightforward as he had expected.
It wasn’t about individuals summoning destructive spells or bending nature to their will with a wave of a hand. This world’s magic is the type of enchantment, a craft that could enhance the world around them—strengthening weapons, reinforcing structures, or even sharpening senses like Lady Elara’s extraordinary vision. But casting something truly powerful—like the fireball he had imagined—required more than just one person’s skill. It needed a collective effort, a symphony of magic users working in harmony to create something grand.
So it’s not about raw power, William thought. 'It’s about coordination, about pooling strength and abilities. It’s a different kind of magic than what I thought existed.' He found himself considering how this new form of magic could complement the technology he had brought with him—how it could be woven into their tactics, their strategies. It would take time to understand fully, but he knew that the right combination of knowledge and magic might just turn the tide in this strange new world.
As William tried to process the Duke's explanation of magic, Duke Thaddeus suddenly shifted the conversation in an unexpected direction. Rising from his seat, his voice rang with authority.
"Ambassador William," the Duke began solemnly, "to honor the support your nation has given us, and to strengthen the bond between our two lands, I offer something of great value."
William tensed, already bracing himself for something unusual.
Duke Thaddeus gestured toward the young woman standing beside him. "I give you my daughter, Elara, as a sign of our diplomatic relationship."
The shock was instant. William's jaw tightened, struggling to maintain composure. Lucas's eyes went wide, and Gabriel gave a low whistle under his breath. Jeanne, standing behind William, audibly gasped, while Parker leaned in closer as if to confirm he heard correctly. No one could believe what they were hearing.
William glanced at Elara, who remained calm but unreadable. His mind raced. Of all the things he had expected during this diplomatic mission, being offered someone's daughter as a gesture of alliance was certainly not one of them.
William, still reeling from the unexpected offer, cleared his throat and stepped forward. "Your Grace, I am honored by your generosity, but I must respectfully decline the offer of Lady Elara. Our nations relationship should be built on mutual cooperation and understanding, not... personal exchanges," he said, choosing his words carefully. "However, I am very much interested in discussing how we can strengthen diplomatic ties between our two countries."
Duke Thaddeus studied William for a moment, then gave a hearty laugh. "Ah, a man of principle, I see. Very well, Ambassador, we shall proceed with diplomacy as you wish." He leaned back in his chair, smiling. "But remember, William, my daughter remains available to you at any time should you change your mind," he added with a playful wink, lightening the tension in the room.
William forced a polite smile, trying to brush off the remark. The others in his team exchanged uncertain glances, relieved the situation hadn’t escalated but still caught off-guard by the Duke’s casual tone.
After the Duke's remark about his daughter, William shifts the conversation toward diplomacy and practical matters. He calmly explains to Duke Thaddeus that while the United States is willing to establish friendly relations and share knowledge, there are limitations to what they can provide. The base is cautious about leaking advanced military technology to avoid destabilizing the balance of power in the world.
Instead, William offers something different and that is modern knowledge that could improve everyday life for the people of Eldarion. He suggests that the U.S. forces could help by teaching more efficient farming methods, introducing new techniques for construction, sanitation, and medicine. Things that could enhance the kingdom's prosperity without involving military secrets.
Duke Thaddeus listens intently, stroking his chin. He agrees that these advancements would be invaluable, especially with the challenges the kingdom faces. In exchange for this knowledge, he promises to supply the U.S. base with food, water, and other essential resources.
However, the Duke seems eager to push the boundaries, mentioning that his army could benefit from "any weaponry or armor" the Americans could share. William, sensing the underlying tension, firmly but politely reiterates the restrictions: "Unfortunately, our weapons are not up for discussion. But, we can help your blacksmiths and engineers improve their methods."
The Duke nods, slightly disappointed, but agrees. "Very well, Sir William. We shall start with the knowledge you are willing to share."
As the meeting concludes, William knows he’ll need to report this back to Fort Vanguard. Aware that while this first agreement is a step forward, the kingdom might seek more from them in the future.
Chapter 3 end here :)