"So, tell us about yourselves."
"We are the Raritan tribal people, part of the Kiote Confederacy. You must be the Americans."
"Yes, that's what they call us. Glad to meet you," Jefferson extended his hand to the leader for her to shake, but she only looked at it confused. It clicked in Jefferson's brain that people here didn't understand what handshakes were, and he awkwardly retracted his hand, "Well, uh, I'm sure you've run into a few of our guys before. Unity squad."
"Ah, yes. We've met."
"And they've told us good things about you all."
"Really?"
"Really. In fact, my government has asked me to extend an offer of cooperation to your people. How does an alliance sound?"
The mother thought of it for a moment. The Americans were new people in the world. While the defeat of the Iscariot Empire at Ithaca was impressive, news of the victory could only travel so fast. And many times, news such as this would be dismissed as little more than a rumor at best. The Americans were clearly strong, but as far as diplomatic prestige was concerned, they were nobody at all. Only one fortress. The Americans would have to earn an alliance with the Kiotes. The Kiotes were feared by even the Iscariots for their prowess in warfare, and though the Americans proved that they were more than capable of defending themselves, they had to earn the respect that warriors give each other.
She turned to the two warrior elves guarding her, Otaes and Temetet, "Temetet. Give me your map, please."
He nodded as he took out a scroll from a bag around his waist, handing her the slightly torn piece of fabric. The mother observed the map, eyeballing the features of the continent both natural and unnatural.
"What do you call this… world?" Jefferson asked in the downtime.
"Aria. Well… that's the Iscariot name for the world. Aria. We have our own name for it, but most people in this land recognize Aria as the lands' name."
Jefferson nodded in understanding. Finally, after a bit of searching, the mother pointed to a spot on the map. Around one hundred miles to the north of Ithaca, lie a fairly large city named, 'Minerva'. It was in Iscariot territory highlighted in a crimson red, and Minerva was the southernmost city in the Empire, "If you wish to have an alliance, then we shall. But first, we need your help," She said to him.
"We can do anything," Jefferson told her.
"Anything?"
"Anything."
She passed the map to him, drawing a circle around the city of Minerva, "Minerva is a major Iscariot Vassal Kingdom. The City proper is the capital of the province. It's a major trading hub along the Albya river, and being the southernmost province in the Iscariot Empire, is of utmost importance to project Imperial domination over the south."
"I see. So you want us to get rid of the Imperial threat?"
"No," The mother said. That answer was a bit of a surprise to Jefferson, who squinted in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"We have no issue repelling Imperial attacks on our own. We've kept the southern continent safe and peaceful for hundreds of years, we have to power to keep doing so. The issue is, they have our people as slaves. Your people as slaves," She said to him, "Minerva is an entrepot of the Imperial slave trade. Humans, Eastern Elves, Reptilians, Insectoids…"
"Humans? They have humans as slaves?" Jefferson asked in a whisper, his eyebrows raised in shock.
"Indeed. We don't want you to just remove the Iscariots. We want you to liberate the people there. If we can do this, the entire southern continent will know to respect you as… what do you call this fortress again?"
"Ithaca," Jefferson responded.
"They'll know you as the Ithacans. The band of Humans who not only defended themselves against Imperial expansion but also liberated those under the boot of the Imperial dynasty! After all, after your battle here the Imperials will come back. They can't let a defeat like that just go."
"Are you suggesting that they will counter-attack?"
"I'm not suggesting it. I'm telling you that they will. Iscariot pride is massive… but fragile. Poke a few holes inside of it, and the entire structure will cave in on itself. It's bad enough that they couldn't subjugate us, but losing a fight against your people… humans no less… it'd be enough to… well," She shifted herself in her seat, "I'm not one to prophesize about what will happen until certain conditions have been met."
Jefferson thought about it. The US government had given orders to expand Ithaca in preparation for a counterattack, but no doubt the Iscariot force would be extremely large this time. What better defense, than a good offense? If they laid siege to Minerva, seized the property, and liberated the slaves and working class in the city, it'd be not only a massive tactical victory but it'd solidify the fact that the Americans meant business. Plus, it'd hit the Empire where it hurt, right in the economy.
"You said the city relies on the slave trade… why?"
The mother sighed, "Well now that the Iscariots removed the Pirate kingdoms and bandit fiefdoms of old, slave raids aren't as common as they were before. Unfortunately, the Empire has found out that providing free labor to its merchants was as lucrative as the spice trade. Almost all Minervan slaves are servants, battle thralls, or laborers in the field. More so the latter two. Especially Reptillians and Insectoids."
"What's so special about them?"
"They are strong, armored, and dumb," She replied plainly, "I do not mean that disrespectfully, but most Insects cannot comprehend much more than direct orders and simple tasks. Reptillians are smarter, but their armored skin and resilient bodies make them perfect for tasks like mining, or fighting in the army."
"I see. How come you haven't been able to liberate Minerva?"
She chuckled, "We're formidable fighters, but our numbers are far too small to even have a chance to challenge the fortified garrison in the region. We'd be decimated, and then our village would be erased. Only in the mountains and forests of the peninsula and river valley do we hold a chance."
Jefferson again reviewed the map, "Uh-huh. Well, if all of what you said is true, we'll be able to do this. But we cannot do it alone."
"Don't worry, we'll help you. In fact, we've been approached by a revolutionary group inside of the city a while back. They call themselves the Reformists of the Empire," Said the mother with a frown, "I'm not too fond of Imperial politics to know much about them. But we can get you in contact with them to stage an uprising, their help would be invaluable."
Jefferson smiled, this couldn't be an easier job if he tried. Though he had to use a bit of caution. Invading an Iscariot city full of civilians would escalate the war by a longshot. He wasn't too worried about casualties on his own side now that they were prepared, for the most part, but what of the casualties on the other side? What of the civilians? What of those caught in the crossfire?
If he waited, the war with the Empire would just consist of a few minor skirmishes, and perhaps the Americans could force an Imperial retreat after they've exhausted their manpower fighting in the southern continent. Though the Imperial threat wouldn't have ended, and the slave trade would still be active. Jefferson had to make it his task to liberate the Humans at least. They had to. He thought of the attention it would bring to Ithaca, the fame even. He thought of the advantages that kind of respect would generate.
"We'll do it. I'll contact a few of my officers, and we'll draw up plans to invade and liberate Minerva," Jefferson said.
"Thank you, sir…"
"Please. Call me Jefferson," He insisted. He noted the blue field of magical energy surrounding himself and his guest, "While you are here, do you mind explaining to us how magic works?"
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The mother shifted a bit, struggling to find a way to explain how "I can't really. Or at least not in a way that would do the topic justice," She sighed, "But the essentials are this. Magic is a manipulation of the matter and energy surrounding all of us. Hence, with magic, we can lift objects, or turn things into different states of matter."
She explained by holding out her hand, a blue pulse of energy radiated out from it causing the air surrounding the palm to steam and fall to the floor as liquid water. The water as it collected on the floor, froze, and then rapidly boiled again, once again rising into the air as steam. Jefferson and the other officers inside watched with great interest at the matter transfer, such a thing was possible on Earth, though it'd need chemicals to generate a reaction of that sort.
"…There are two types of magic in this world, natural and artificial."
Jefferson saw that the magical energy the warrior elves used seemed to pulse from their own bodies, "I'll assume that the magic you practice is natural?"
"That's right. All elves are born with the ability to tap into it. Other species are naturally gifted with the ability too, though most aren't sentient."
"I see…"
"And then there is artificial magic," she continued, "Usually generated by a stone called Ekron. It's gathered from the scales of a fire or gas-breathing dragon, boiled in a vat, and the residual minerals are formed into an Ekron crystal. With that, creatures born without magical power can manipulate the matter and energy around them."
Jefferson thought back to the Dragons that assaulted Ithaca prior to this. The Federal Government had requested that researchers be allowed to explore the magic in this world to understand it, and if what she was saying was true, the corpses of the dragons would provide an adequate source for testing.
"I see that magic was the main weapon that the Iscariots fielded against us, the most effective one too. What are Iscariot mages capable of?" Jefferson pressed.
"It depends on the mage's skill level. Same with those who use natural magic. Some mages are graduates from prestigious magical universities dotting the continent, in fact, there is a magical college in Minerva. Other mages are just rookies who have a general idea of what to do. Most Iscariot mages are basic, they can only cast spells that give them shields, or casts fire beams at their target. Though, I expect that in Minerva, the mages there will be much more powerful than they were here."
"You think the Iscariots will be prepared for us?"
"That I do not know."
"Hmm," Jefferson said with a nod of his head. Within a few hours, he had formulated a plan with his officer standing ready to hear it.
"Alright, here's the plan. 1st Battalion has been given orders to assault the City of Minerva. First things first, our reconnaissance flights have established a few areas of utmost importance to secure before beginning the siege."
"Captain Newman, I want you to send a platoon to secure Hill 181, to the south of the city. This Hill holds an Iscariot lookout post and garrison. It is crucial that we remove the garrison, and establish this hill as our own Forward Base of Operations. When this hill is secure, I'll greenlight the movement of Artillery and Light Armored vehicles onto the Hill to provide support to our advance."
"What about heavy armor? The Abrams Tanks have just arrived along with the US Army, they'd help immensely to storm the city."
"That's a negative. The terrain is far too mountainous, only one road exists between this region and Minerva, and it's a dirt path wide enough only for light mechanized. Heavy armor is out of the option. As a relief, support will come in via Artillery and our helicopter gunships. That's where Captain Bannon comes in. You'll be in charge of supporting our assault. Get your engineers to build a field hospital, anti-air, artillery, everything! We'll airdrop everything in for you. You two got that?"
"Yes sir!"
"Good. Although Echo and Foxtrot Companies will lead the assault on the city, our entire Battalion has been expanded. Golf will take the hill with infantry reinforcements, and Sierra will command our mechanized elements. Newman, I again want you to select a platoon to lead the destruction of two key bridges in the city. They cross over rivers that lead into Minerva, without it, they'll have no way to resupply and we'll starve them out. You'll be provided with explosive charges to take them down."
"Sounds like a plan."
"And finally, Command has just given me control of a specialized Unit. They've been given all of the knowledge High Command has of the world and will continue to gain info of this world during their deployment. They are the Fantastical Environment Combat Unit, FECU. Hazard Squad will be sent to infiltrate the city and trigger a revolution. Newman, I again need you to choose your best squad to accompany them. Get this done, and we'll have this city on its knees by the week's end. Got it?"
"Sir yes sir!"
"Good. We move out tomorrow morning, muster your soldiers…"
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Hezekiah and Newman walked together whilst talking with the other. The Captain explaining the upcoming operation to the Staff Sergeant. To say that Hezekiah was ecstatic was an understatement since Newman chose him and his squad of all things to lead some of the most important operations in the coming battle.
.
"You'll be in charge of your platoon, Unity will be the lead squad in charge of capturing and securing the garrison at Hill 141," Newman said handing a tablet to Hezekiah with a digital map on it.
He looked at the map, noting the Iscariot garrison on it. The miniature fortress was no smaller than Ithaca, which was slightly worrying considering the powerful defenses Ithaca had. Though, Hezekiah felt confident… perhaps a bit unjustly confident, "You'll lead your platoon in ahead of the rest of Foxtrot and Echo companies to secure the hill. Defenses seem primitive from our UAV recon over the area, though I advise that you prepare for anything unexpected."
"As long as we aren't going up against dragons, we'll be fine," Hezekiah said in a bold tone.
Newman stopped walking, and looked at her soldier, "Are you sure that I can entrust you with these assignments?" She demanded from him.
"Not a problem, you're talking about Unity. We can handle practically anything!" Hezekiah was incredibly confident about the abilities of not only himself but also his squad. Newman of course wasn't very impressed.
"Well you have to prove that, need I remind you that our expedition in the forest was only an accident? An Accident, that you've started?" She pressed.
Hezekiah slowly nodded, having to accept that she was right. Though their survival was remarkable, it was all accidental. None of it came due to some brilliant planning on Hezekiah's part, and Unity had only survived thanks to the Raritan's and Kiote Elves of the forest. While Hezekiah might've been able to get away with taking the credit for assisting the garrison during the Battle, that too was a result of his hand being forced and there not being any other choice, not something of his own doing.
"I understand that, Captain…" Hezekiah admitted, "But I have full confidence that Unity will pull through."
"I do as well, Brooks," She said, "It's not Unity I'm worried about. It's you. Your leadership ability has to shine through here."
Hezekiah didn't take that personally, everything that she was concerned about was a valid concern, especially if the operation was as grandiose as Newman made it out to be. And besides, it offered Hezekiah a good reflection on his own performance in the eyes of others, though it hurt his ego to know he wasn't God's gift to Earth, it was a grounding experience. And in an environment as potentially lethal as this one, that was an incredibly invaluable assessment.
"You may be aware that your previous Platoon Leader, Staff Sergeant Vince from Delta, was killed during the fighting yesterday," Newman informed him as they resumed walking through the fortress. Hezekiah hadn't known, "As such, a vacancy for the title of Platoon Leader has opened in the Company. If you can prove that you can handle the orders given, I'll consider giving you the title."
Newman was honest with Hezekiah, which was something he craved from his leadership so far. Instead of creating half-truths or hinting at an ulterior motive, she was completely direct with him. It was something missing even from Jefferson and the rest of High Command, and Hezekiah took comfort in knowing that if there was ever something up, he could count on her to tell him about it.
"Yes Ma'am! I won't let you down," Hezekiah told her, again turning the conversation back to the upcoming battle, "So we capture Hill 181, and then what?"
"By then, 1st Battalion would've begun its assault on the city. From there, you'll await further orders. I'll probably give your platoon small tasks to assist in the battle. Got it?"
"Yes ma'am," Hezekiah chanted.
"Good. We'll leave in a few days, remember, your squad will be on the fire. You trained for this. You all have," Newman cautioned, as she peeled off. Hezekiah watched her walk back into the Command Vehicle. Meanwhile, he got his feet going to the Barracks where he'd find the rest of his boys. They were all ready, itching to start shooting at something again.
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"…2011. Now that was a good year," Flint said, taking a sip from a bottle of wine. He was with Quinn and Lafayette, sitting outside in the cool winter air, watching the base grow around them.
"I used to collect trading cards with the fellas in Highschool back then, y'know. I'm pretty sure I still have a couple of rare ones that can go for a few hundred bucks now," Quinn told him, "Those were the days."
"Yeah…" Flint said, reminiscing about his good times back before adulthood. Where had the time gone? Flint took another sip from the wine, peeling his head back and raising the glass bottle high.
"Hey, go easy on that," Lafayette told him.
"What?" Flint asked, "Doctor's orders were to relax and treat my injury. I'm only recovering," He said sarcastically with a smirk.
Quinn reached his hand over to the bottle in a bid to try and take it, "Well don't drink it all! Let me have a bit!"
"You wait your turn!" Flint fended Quinn off with his free arm while holding the bottle away, chuckling to himself, "Hey…hey!"
While the two battled for the bottle, they hadn't noticed Hezekiah walk out into the cold outside together. Hezekiah gave both Quinn and Flint an unimpressed look as he crossed in front, the two men immediately froze when they saw him.
Hezekiah stopped in front of the two he looked tired. Or upset. Perhaps both?
"I'm going to assume that that's grape juice, Corporal," Hezekiah addressed him with a passing glance, and a direct tone. Hezekiah seemed quite upset though his expression was a bit different in the way it came off. Flint couldn't tell if Hezekiah was sad, angry, or what. Flint didn't want to really find out either.
Flint smiled a bit nervously, holding the bottle up to him in a cheery fashion, "Yes sir! Grape juice, that's right! Heh."
Hezekiah sighed, turned his head, and kept walking on.
"Well…" Flint said under his breath as Hezekiah walked off, "It was grape juice… about a year ago."
"What do you think Brooks is upset about?" Lafayette asked.
Flint shrugged, leaning back, "I dunno. He's a moody guy, how the hell am I supposed to know what's bugging him every day?"
"Yeah? You were just talking to him, right Brian?" Quinn asked the Marine who plopped himself next to him.
Brian shrugged, "Who cares?" he brushed the question off, as he preoccupied himself with his boots' laces.
The quartet of men rested against the walls of their barracks. Embracing the warm rays of the sun that managed to penetrate through the rushing cold of the winter's dying winds. The base was being built around them still. Every so often, a truck loaded with supplies would make its way through the dirt pathways winding through the base. Ithaca was growing at a healthy rate, supplies and manpower were coming in through the portal like clockwork.
The soldiers often questioned how they managed to maintain secrecy about the whole operation with this many people working on it. But they figured that if shit ever hit the fan, the people would go after the government planning the operation out. And that thought alone put the question to bed. Though that didn't stop the other questions and ideas about the world in general from forming. For that, they had plenty. Where were they truly? Was this really another planet? Or is this just some odd parallel realm, hidden away from the eyes of Humans back in their own? So many questions and so few answers. They alone couldn't hope to answer them anyway, or so they figured.
Again distracting from their conversation, Unity settled their eyes on a group of people passing by. Captain Newman, Major Jefferson, and a band of the warrior elves. Otaes, Temetet, and the Kiote tribal leader herself walked along with them. Flint's heart skipped a beat as he laid his eyes on Otaes, though she of course didn't turn to look back at him.
"Man… that Otaes chick is a real ten," Flint sighed leaning back.
"You like her?" Lafayette asked.
"Sorta. But it wouldn't work out anyway."
"What makes you say that? You asked her out?"
"Nah, not yet."
Quinn took a sip from the wine bottle and held Flint's shoulder, "Listen, man. You know what they say, you miss every shot you don't take. Go ahead and ask her out, what's the worst that could happen?"
"I mean… She's a warrior elf thing. And I'm just a human. What would a girl like her do with a fella like me anyways?"
"You don't know until you ask," Quinn told him, "I'm sure the elf people have got something they like to do in common with humans."
"Well that's the thing," Flint said, kicking a pebble, "Isn't it kinda weird too? I mean, aren't we different species and all? Isn't that kinda like… y'know?"
The guys nodded, it was a good point. The elves were human in almost every way, except for direct appearance, and ability. But even still, it wasn't a human. The Elves themselves made that distinction clear when they referred to humans as a 'them' people, and elves as 'ourselves'. Clearly, there was a difference to the people in this world even beyond just skin and hair color.
"Well, the only way to find out is if you ask. Right?" Lafayette told him.
"Yeah, and be romantic. Ladies like it when you're romantic, give them some flowers, tell them that they look beautiful, take them out to a movie…" Quinn went off.
"Where the hell am I gonna find a movie theatre out here?" Flint asked.
"No clue, but you get my point, just be yourself. No fear. The worst she can say is 'no'. Right?" Quinn lightly elbowed Flint.
Flint silently nodded. It wasn't good enough for Quinn, who shook him again, "Right?" he asked once more.
"Right…" Flint answered, "I'll talk to her when she isn't busy."
"Speaking of which, what do you think they're talking about?" Lafayette asked, "They've got Newman AND Jefferson talking to them."
"Probably trying to interrogate them for info, or something. After all, they did say they were working on trying to contact them," Quinn answered.
"We should just leave them the hell alone," Lafayette told him.
"Yeah. We should. But High Command obviously has it figured that they are of some inherent value to us. No matter what, they're gonna try to get their hands on them for our benefit."
"Damn shame."
"Indeed," Quinn spit on the ground, using his boot to cover it up.