A tide of shambling darkness covered the horizon, right at the edge of Garth’s vision. He exhaled slowly as he looked out at the approaching ants. We did what we could. Weeks of sustained attacks and raids against the slow-moving creatures, culminating with the wholesale burning of the forest between Nierburg and Corwyn. Reports of the swarm’s progress continually came in through the Communication Array that was perpetually by Garth’s side these days. They’d killed thousands of the mutated ants, slaughtering them as efficiently as any monster extermination he’d been a part of. And it still wasn’t enough. Virtually the entire colony had turned into these creatures, and they simply didn’t have the manpower to take down that many in open combat.
Still, his teams had done their part. Thinning the numbers was important, but the most valuable thing they accomplished was buying time. Everybody in Nierburg, awakened or not, had contributed to the defenses. Resources were gathered in preparation to hunker down behind the walls. Battlements were reinforced. Traps were set. Awakened were trained. For the first time since the fall, Garth really felt as though there was unity. It was just a pity that it took a threat of this magnitude to create it.
“There’s so many out there.”
Mary Ellen’s voice didn’t tremble like it had when he first met her. He looked over his left shoulder, where his personal squad stood. They had been spread thin in the past weeks, putting in long hours. Their assignments had been dangerous, and they’d managed to pull through every time.
“It’s not going to be an easy fight.”
Garth was strangely calm. Despite the nerves he felt, he was also experiencing a sense of serenity. They’d done what they could. As stressful as all the planning was, combat was a familiar friend.
“Where are you going to want us?”
Joseph was shifting back and forth with nervous energy. He’d been heavily involved in the suppression of the ants, and personally led the raid that burned down the forest. Garth was impressed by how far the young man had come, barely resembling the pudgy conscript he’d first met. Despite his hesitance, he’d really come into his own.
“You and Mary Ellen will be part of a mobile squad. I’ll have you moving along the walls and reinforcing any areas that look to be struggling. Johannes, you’ll be with the rest of the medics. I won’t have you near the walls. Arianna, be with your family.”
The teenager’s eyes flashed as she looked at him. He met the stare with one of his own, and the fire left her expression.
“I can help too, you know.”
“I don’t doubt that for a minute. But your skills are best suited against other people. Your fighting style isn’t designed to be used in situations like this one. And before you say it, you aren’t getting special treatment. There are others that would have bad matchups against the ants, and I’m not putting them on the frontlines. Everybody below level 20 without a specialization in defensive tactics and practice with polearms is in reserve.”
“I’m getting closer, just a few levels away. If you let me fight, I can get there.”
“This isn’t a negotiation. If things get bad, it’ll be all hands. Having fresh reserves is also part of the strategy.”
She looked like she wanted to say more, though she held her tongue.
Don’t be eager to throw your life away, kid. Arianna had grown a lot in her time with his squad, and Garth had every expectation she’d be a real powerhouse someday. For now, she was still young. Her skirmishes against the ants were lackluster. She didn’t have a place on this battlefield. Looking at his team, pride welled in his chest. They’d all come so far.
“This is going to be combat on a scale none of us have ever seen before. Hell, something like this hasn’t happened since the days of the Originators. A lot will be asked from each of you. Fight like hell, and think of the people you’re protecting. At the same time, think of yourselves. Heroes don’t throw their lives away senselessly. So fight, and come back alive. That’s an order.”
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
“Yes, sir!”
“Dismissed.”
He watched them each make their way towards their assigned groups. Turning his gaze from the oncoming hoard, he looked at the city from his position atop the wall. He could see a network of floating Communication Arrays above most of the buildings, speakers pointing down towards the people below. Relay stations were set up, with Rangers manning each. Good. They would be able to communicate the flow of the battle to the Central Administration staffers set up throughout the city, and allocate resources accordingly.
He saw the unawakened below making their way into their homes, barricading doors. More than a few makeshift spears were being passed around, and supplies were being distributed. That made him nod in satisfaction. They’d have to be careful, but if the ants took the wall, there was still space left to fight in the streets. Satisfied that they were as prepared as they could be, Garth had one item of business left. He turned to the small, mobile Communication Array.
“DeRosa, it’s time. Meet me in section four, and bring Director Reynolds.”
“We are already en route, Mr. Boltsbury. I estimate arrival in less than three minutes.”
The former Councilman’s dry tone was still baffling to Garth. Even facing down an army capable of destroying the city, DeRosa sounded the same as always. Curt, direct, and unmoved. Sure enough, just over two minutes later, Garth spotted the two men ascending the battlements. Victor was in his resplendent red robe, carrying a large backpack. His expression was bored, as though he’d been waiting in line at a supermarket. Still, it caused the hairs on the back of Garth’s neck to stand up as he felt the sheer amount of mana flowing around the man.
Behind him and slightly to the right was Reynolds. He wore his shining golden armor, his massive halberd being carried easily in one hand. In contrast to Victor, his face was locked in a mask of anger. Garth wasn’t sure why, until the large man’s eyes locked on his.
“You will address the Former Councilman as such, Mr. Boltsbury. Offer some damn respect.”
Garth wasn’t about to back down from the comment, but before things could escalate Victor spoke up.
“I don’t particularly care, Reynolds. If we don’t take care of this threat, there’s not much point in titles. Besides, I’ve always found respect to be best earned.”
With that, he looked at Garth.
“Mr. Reynolds and I will break the advance. I don’t expect that we’ll be sufficient to stop the entire swarm; however I have no doubt that the bulk of their approach will have to go around us which will buy more time to thin them out before they meet the rest of our forces.”
Garth frowned, this not at all being the plan they’d discussed. Originally, he’d expected Reynolds to lead the front-line defenses while DeRosa supported the Mage teams atop the walls.
“Due respect, that sounds incredibly dangerous.”
“Perhaps for somebody like you, it would be. You’ve never seen us at work, Mr. Boltsbury. Rumor has it you nearly died in multiple combat engagements against a particularly nasty group of raiders. I can assure you that had we been in your position, we wouldn’t have had the same issues.”
Garth felt the heat rising in his face. He bit back his knee-jerk response, and tried to compose himself. DeRosa and Reynolds didn’t give him the opportunity.
“We’re going to get into position. We’ve already taken the liberty of sharing the strategy with Central Administration, and they will coordinate the logistics from here. Do try not to die, Mr. Boltsbury.”
With that, the two men strode across the battlements, making their way towards the nearest gates. Go to hell. If they’d been anybody else, Garth would have had them court-martialed right there and then. Given the circumstances, however, he needed their power. Using his private channel, he reached out to his own people in Central Adminstration. The building was centrally located in the city, and acted as the perfect communications hub.
“Amir, did you know that DeRosa and Reynolds changed the plan at the last minute?”
“Just found out five minutes ago, boss. Sorry, with everything going on I didn’t think to follow-up on it. I take it you asking means they didn’t run it by you?”
“Damn right they didn’t. I want you to find out who they ran it by, and every protocol they broke to get it done. How DeRosa always seem to have time to play politics is beyond me.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Be careful out there, boss.”
Garth snorted, “I’ll be fine. I’d rather deal with a swarm of ants than a nest of vipers any day. Get what you can out of those politicians and let me know.”
“You got it.”
With that, Garth made his final call before reaching his position.
“Stephanie, how are you and Gwen holding up?”
“As well as can be expected. Was it really necessary to give us this thing? I figure a Communication Array could probably be put to use somewhere else given what’s going on.”
Garth smiled.
“But if I did that, I couldn’t talk to you. It helps center me. Now, Gwen and the other kids are all safe?”
“They are. They seem a little worried, but I think that’s to be expected.”
“Good. Take good care of them, Stephanie. They’ve been through too much for their age.”
“You’ve been through a lot too, Garth. Whatever happens, I want you to come back safe.”
“I’ll do my best.”
With that, Garth took the final steps to his position in section four. He saw two figures standing out past the barricades and traps, waiting for the ants to close the distance. The siege of Nierbug had begun.