The drone, initially stationed above Mya, held its position as Tarfire’s convoy pulled away from the village. But once Tarfire received intel about a possible enemy Division moving towards them, he ordered Northpaw's to have the drone to break off and scan the region for confirmation. As it moved away from Mya, its sensors quickly detected the Division—a mass of enemy forces halted in a state of disorder.
A report came in through the convoy’s comms: the Division had indeed been stalled, their advance scattered, thanks to the relentless hit-and-run attacks from Archer 2-8-1. Despite the tiltrotor’s dwindling munitions, its repeated assault had sowed chaos in the Austorian ranks.
As Archer 2-8-1 made its final attack run, the drone’s feed captured battlemages within the enemy ranks, gathering to launch a counterstrike. Flames ignited in their palms, gathering energy as they hurled bursts of fire toward the tiltrotor. The first volley arced dangerously close, but Archer 2-8-1 banked hard, dodging the searing projectiles with evasive maneuvers.
“Alpha 1 this is Northpaw, Archer 2-8-1 is taking fire from battlemages,” came the drone operator’s voice over the net, tense yet steady.
In Alpha 1, Tarfire clenched his fists, listening as Archer 2-8-1’s pilot came on the comms. “Alpha 1 Actual, this is Archer 2-8-1. We’re breaking off the attack; enemy battlemages are throwing everything they’ve got at us, and we are black on ammo. Disengaging now. That Division’s still on the move, but we slowed them down. Be careful. Archer 2-8-1 out.”
The tiltrotor ascended rapidly, leaving the fiery blasts behind as the battlemages’ spells dissipated into the sky. Archer 2-8-1 managed to pull free, their last defensive maneuvers leaving a trail of smoke over the battlefield. As the convoy pressed on, the drone continued to monitor the stalled Division, relaying updates as the Austorian forces remained disorganized, struggling to regroup in the aftermath of the strikes.
“Archer 2-8-1, your attack bought us valuable time,” Tarfire radioed, relief mixing with urgency. “I owe you a beer back at the O Club.”
“I’ll hold you to that, Rader!” the pilot of Archer 2-8-1 quipped, as the tiltrotor disappeared over the treetops, vanishing from the drone’s view.
Meanwhile, Alpha 7 continued pulling the damaged Alpha 9 as Lt. Rader Tarfire ensured they led the convoy to set a steady but urgent pace. As he rode in the passenger seat of Alpha 1, Tarfire kept his gaze fixed on the horizon, mentally mapping their route through the Murlan Skyrocks.
With a firm grip on the radio, he called in their next maneuver. “Echo Foxtrot Oscar Actual, this is Alpha 1 Actual. I need you to contact Redleg 1 for a fire mission on Mya’s outskirts. Request smoke and high explosives to cover our withdrawal. Over.”
The radio crackled as the FO’s voice came through, calm and precise. “Copy that, Alpha 1 Actual.”
Switching channels, the FO relayed the request. “Redleg One, Redleg One, this is Echo Foxtrot Oscar Actual. Fire mission, over.”
Tarfire nodded as he watched Alpha 7 pick up speed, dragging the damaged Alpha 9 as they pressed forward. The convoy was already moving at full throttle to stay ahead of the magic cavalry, who lurked somewhere behind them, closing in fast.
They were getting out—but just barely.
Moments later, the radio crackled to life. “Alpha Actual, this is Redleg 1. Fire mission in effect. Smoke and HE rounds inbound. ETA, thirty seconds. Brace yourselves.”
“Copy, Redleg 1,” Tarfire responded, gripping the side of his seat. “Alpha Actual out.” He looked out the window as, moments later, a rumble sounded from the distance, and a thick shroud of smoke began rising, obscuring Mya in a haze.
“Alright, people, let’s move!” Tarfire called over the convoy net. “Push it. We’ve got cover for now, but they’ll be on us soon enough.”
As the convoy pressed on, they passed the elven caravan led by Brodi. Elves waved at the convoy, and Tarfire leaned out his window to return the gesture.
“We’ll see you on the other side, Brodi! Stay safe!” he shouted.
Brodi raised his hand in acknowledgment, offering a salute before their paths diverged.
At the rear of the convoy, Echo 3-2 and Echo 3-1 pulled security, keeping an eye out for any signs of pursuit. As the convoy turned onto the ancient, hidden Elven Road that wound toward the concealed mountain pass, Lt. Tarfire in Alpha 1 called out an order over the radio.
“Echo 3-2, Echo 3-1, sweep the road behind us. Hide our tracks. Let’s make sure they don’t follow us into the mountains.”
A quick response crackled over the radio. “Roger that, we are obscuring the tracks.”
The vehicles dismounted a few soldiers, who took tree branches nearby and quickly swept away the convoy’s tracks on the path behind them. Once the road was clear of signs, they dropped the branches into the road, mounted back up and rejoined the convoy.
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Inside Alpha 2, the atmosphere was calm but filled with the quiet tension of a dangerous mission nearly complete. Corporal Shara Stoneclaw monitored the map on her screen as she did a routine check over the radio. Kael Swiftail leaned back in his seat, humming along to a tune on his music player, his focus steady on the road ahead.
Beside them, Keziah, the elven mage, gazed out the window in awe as the green plains faded into rocky hills that transformed into jagged cliffs.
“This…this is incredible,” she murmured, her voice filled with wonder.
Targzon chuckled in his low, rumbling voice, his eyes never leaving the feed from the RWS. “First time is always the best. You’ll get used to it,” he said, a rare smile breaking through his usually serious expression.
Keziah leaned closer to Stoneclaw, watching the monitors and various maps on her screen. “What are you doing?” she asked with quiet curiosity.
Stoneclaw smiled and tapped the console. “Just checking our route. I like to keep everything in order, especially out here.”
Keziah nodded, then turned to Kael. “And you, Kael? What’s your job here?”
Kael grinned, shooting her a quick look. “Me? I keep the ride smooth and make sure the music’s on. Gotta make the trip fun, right?”
Keziah laughed, a sound filled with relief. “You all seem so…relaxed. As if this is just another day.”
Kael winked. “We’ve been through worse. Stick with us; you’ll be alright.”
As they ascended the narrow mountain pass, the convoy maintained a steady pace, with dismounted soldiers pulling security at the mouth of the pass. The drivers, already familiar with the treacherous path, expertly guided their vehicles around tight turns and narrow ledges. Finally, the rocky terrain opened up into the sands of the Desertum Maris, and there was an audible sigh of relief from everyone in Alpha 2 and the convoy.
“All stations, this is Alpha Actual,” Tarfire’s voice came over the convoy net, filled with pride. “We’ve made it to the desert. Outstanding work, everyone. I’m proud of you all. What we just accomplished was nothing short of heroic—above and beyond the call of duty.”
A few cheers echoed over the net before another voice broke in, steady and clear. It was Lt. Colonel Merryclaw from Yasumin Base.
“Alpha and Echo Elements, this is Base One. We’ve been monitoring your progress, and I can say without reservation, you’ve done an incredible job. The General and the King couldn’t have asked for more. Your actions have exceeded every expectation. When you’re back, you’ll stand down for assessment and recovery—you’ve more than earned it.”
Inside Alpha 2, silence followed as the crew absorbed the Colonel’s words. Beside them, Keziah’s initial happiness faded as she looked down, a hint of concern crossing her face.
“Does this mean…” she trailed off quietly, “I’ll be leaving with the other elves?”
The crew exchanged quick glances, and Kael was the first to respond, shaking his head with a reassuring smile.
“Not a chance,” he said, grinning. “You’ve got an assessment lined up, and we need medics like you.”
Targzon nodded in agreement. “You pulled your weight, helped with the wounded, and I even heard one of the Seraphim call you ‘Doc.’ That makes you one of us. And we don’t leave our own behind.”
Keziah’s pointed elven ears twitched with happiness as her smile returned, her worry fading.
After a pause, Tarfire’s voice came over the radio again. “Alright, folks, one last update before we hit Yasumin. We’re heading to a temporary Magrail station where the elves will disembark and transfer to the welcoming center—they’ve had enough time in the back of those trucks. We’ll also hand over the EPWs there for Intel and the MPs to process. As for Keziah, she’s sticking with us. She’s due for an assessment at Yasumin, so Alpha 2, keep treating her well.”
A moment of static passed, and then Tarfire added with a smile in his voice, “And since I’m feeling generous, here’s some music to get us the rest of the way home.”
A moment later, music began streaming through the radio, filling the convoy with an unexpected warmth. To Keziah’s amazement, the entire crew began singing along, even Targzon joining in with a low, rumbling bass.
The mood in the convoy was light, celebratory even, as they neared the Yasumin outpost. The relief of survival and success washed over them all.
As the convoy pulled in next to the temporary Magrail station, Tarfire got out and stood near the trucks with the elves. “All elves in the convoy, we’ve reached our transfer point. We’re getting you on the train where you’ll be safely transported to a welcoming center to help you settle while this war is going on.”
The elves shared relieved glances, grateful for the news. As they began to disembark, Keziah remained in Alpha 2, her place secure with her new companions.
The prisoners were carefully unloaded from the back of the truck, their bindings and blindfolds removed. With a mix of trepidation and relief, the former Austorian soldiers looking around at the desert and the Beastkin soldiers who escorted them.
“Alright, you’ll be riding in the rear car under the watch of Military Police,” Sergeant Wellknife announced as two Northpaw soldiers took positions beside the group as well as a small team of Armed BUA soldiers. The prisoners, though still wary, followed the directions without complaint, their eyes constantly darting as they took in the unfamiliar terrain around them.
Two additional Northpaw members walked over to one of the trucks, unloading carefully selected pieces of Austorian armor and the distinct control helmets that had once been a deadly tether on the prisoners. They treated the equipment with care, knowing these samples would be studied to understand the Austorian methods better—and perhaps find new ways to counter them.
As the prisoners were settled into the rear car, one of the Northpaw members gave a quick nod to Lt. Tarfire. “Thank you, for securing the Armor and helmets, sir. These will be invaluable for research.”
Tarfire nodded in response. “No problem. I guess once the train reaches the processing facility, those items go straight to the research division., correct? The more we understand about Austorian equipment, the better prepared we’ll be.”
The Northpaw soldier nodded “If you come across anything that’s even more advanced, secure it, and let us know. Sir”
“Will do.” Rader stated with a warm smile on his face.
With the prisoners safely on board and the convoy’s additional intel secured, the Magrail train was set to depart. Tarfire and his crew exchanged relieved glances as the final preparations wrapped up. Each step of the mission, from the battle itself to securing the prisoners, felt like a small victory against the Empire.
Tarfire glanced back at his convoy, giving them a nod before keying the mic to address the convoy. “We did something incredible here, something no one will forget. Rest up, you all earned it.”
With a final cheer from the convoy, the Third Supply company and Echo Company headed for Yasumin.