International City, Philades Continent
17 August, 2526 XY
Anthony's head ached, and the last few hours felt like days. There was so much to do and so little time. He almost felt helpless. He was standing near the edge of a pier; the pier itself was flanked by two ships that starkly contrasted each other. One was a small luxury boat, one of the newest designs. The other, a wooden vessel taken right out of history. He had so many questions, so many wonders, yet he couldn't slake them just yet. Lighting up a cigarette, for he never liked cigars, he tried to rationalise all the things that had happened. First were the discoveries of many people who were previously not of the International City. They described seeing a bright flash before being whisked to random places throughout the city in a blink. This had also proved a nightmare, and much of the police and other public forces were busy finding shelter, food, and other necessities. They were from all over the place: Ladyros, Aether, the Heboi States, so on and so forth. They all had the same thing in common, they were all HKA citizens. This fact had raised some eyebrows, even more so was the complete disappearance of the Fazarian and Azyeri counterparts of the HKA forces stationed in the International City. Furthermore, they had also come in contact with much of the HKA islands that previously occupied the Aether area. These islands were in even more dire need than the International City, and Wyvern attacks were also reported from them. This lead to marshal Solaveira deploying and spreading out much of his forces in an effort to protect these places.
His thoughts were interrupted by a hoarse voice, the marshal himself. The marshal looked far better than Nimroy had, but he knew his friend had to bear the same stresses and worries that Anthony had faced, if not greater. He snuffed his cigarette and went to warmly greet the Marshal. "Hah, Cez, you seem in high spirits." He said as the Marshal laughed, disregarding his informal tone. Before the transference, he and the marshal found themselves sharing cups often.
"I am. Somewhat at least. We made contact with the 5th and 7th High Seas Fleet." The Marshal said, as if the fact wasn't incredulous... yet all they have been through for the last day has been incredulous.
"The 7th? Weren't those guys down near West Alaxia?" The question had come easy to Anthony.
The marshal seemed to hesitate for a second before replying "Yes... but it seemed they had the same thing happened to them as had happened us. They say they found much of the HKA bases in West Alaxia in a single small island... We are trying to establish connections now."
Anthony sighed, "Everything seems to be connected to the High Kingdoms in one way or another, this can't be a coincidence... can it?"
"I highly doubt that, maybe the High Kingdoms are here as well... we just have to find them." The Marshal said, looking at the foreign and ancient ship.
"And you think those people can lead us to them?"
"Hard to say, yet we still need them to figure out where we are."
Anthony nods as the two men go to meet the foreign sailors. It turned out that the foreign sailors spoke Exteras as well, only it wasn't called 'Exteras' here, the coincidence was strange, if a tad bit helpful. This simplification had helped them communicate far better with these foreign men. They spoke of many places and told many stories and by Anthony's judgement, they seemed alright fellows. Luckily for them, the ship was apparently a diplomatic vessel intended for a routine visit to a land called 'Fenn'. And eventually Anthony had met Tavos, a diplomat from Altaras. They had conversed long about their circumstances and eventually entered negotiations. It was almost nightfall by the time they were done.
"What you say is intriguing and I understand your plight, however I cannot confirm anything until I have reported to my king, Lord Mayor." Tavos had said to him. 'Lord Mayor', the title was funny to him and he decided against correcting the diplomat.
"I understand Mr. Tavos. Yet we simply do not have time. We have mere days, not months." Anthony pleaded, he disliked pleading.
Tavos took a deep breath, contemplating the dilemma "Very well." He finally said. "I will then guide you back to my king as official guests and diplomats... while our ship is fast, I am afraid I cannot spare it for the journey, it must carry on to its destination." Tavos concluded.
"We have ships of our own to use." Nimroy said plainly, a wide smile on his face. "My thanks Mr. Tavos, this is the start of something fruitful, I know it!" He exclaimed. To that, Tavos could only laugh, he wondered what these strange people could do.
Barsat Desert, Peryzium
August 17, 2526 XY
Celine's heart was pounding, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She was close behind Kira, the Captain who had saved her life. They ran through the not-so-empty desert, she had suppressed any urges to flail or yell, hoping the scorpions would ignore them. In contrast, the Captain was as calm and collected as one could ever be in such a situation. Wading and weaving through the sea of scorpions, the captain called out into her comms, "Clear a path!" As small explosions rocked the area in front of them, soldiers funneled in, keeping the creatures at bay with gunfire. Many of the scorpions were dead, yet it seemed like a never ending swarm. Researchers piled in through the gap, Kira included. She looked back, hoping none of her colleagues were left behind. "We have to go!" Yelled one of the soldiers as dust spewed around him, a scorpion burst out from under him, snapping at his legs. He howled in pain as soldiers everywhere got injured. Luckily no one was dead yet.
"Quickly! Into the vehicles!" Celine heard Kira order, before speaking once again into her comms. She couldn't quite catch what she had said before she was shuffled into one of the armoured trucks. She peered outside from the windows and saw that the troops were losing ground. 'There are so many...' she said in disbelief, it hadn't made any sense. Scorpions don't hunt in swarms. She saw one of the soldiers light up a flare and toss it into the mass of scorpions. Curiously, the scorpions receded from the immediate area. Before she could think more on the matter, she heard the characteristic sound of helicopter engines. One by one, most of the soldiers entered the trucks. The scorpions, while large, seemed to be unable to pierce or otherwise cut through metal. The sound of helicopters grew louder, eventually overtaking the sound of yelling, gunfire and clicks. She could hear the helicopter, now hovering over them as they swept up dust all over. They opened fire, the deafening sounds of autocannons and rotary cannons making it seem like she was in an action flix. After what seemed like hours, the sounds stopped and she, after much contemplation, went outside. The sand was covered with blue and green blood as well as many dead scorpions. She found Kira standing over a dead scorpion, with a frown on her face.
"Hey doc, you okay?" Kira asked, as she turned to Celine.
"I-I think? Is Anyone-" she began, stopping midway. She didn't know how to ask the question.
"No. Thank god, I dunno what I'd do if I lost any of my men... or any of yours." She said with a grim nod. "Many are hurt though. What now?" she added.
Celine thought for a moment. "We should leave. Best not wait for any more of these things... or something worse."
"Roger that doc. I'll go and report to hicom."
Maihark, Qua Toyne
August 17, 2526 XY
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He had been placed amongst the ship's crew with relative ease. It was even simpler fitting in. Yet when it came to leaving, Arslan found himself almost helpless. The Seamarshal had ordered everyone to stay onboard until talks began properly. 'A prudent move', he thought, giving his begrudging respects to the Seamarshal. However, it made his life much harder. When the noises of steel meeting steel came, he knew something had gone horribly wrong. He also knew the delegation not onboard would be fine, he had the men guarding them handpicked even before they went offboard. Of course, this was done in absolute secrecy.
Naturally, much of the crew had gathered on the edges of the ship to look at the ongoing fight. He found himself amongst them, procuring binoculars to further understand the situation at hand. However he couldn't quite place what was going on in all the chaos. Biting his tongue, he went back into the ship, hoping to find one of the captains or lieutenant that knows about his true identity. The ship was in a rush, everyone was busy doing one thing or another and it almost mirrored the chaos on the port.
By the time he found someone, it pleased him to learn that they had already preemptively readied boats to retrieve the delegation. While their standing orders mean they cannot make landfall, at least they can get close. Before he got onto the boats, he wore the lightest of equipment, as to not stand out. This included the helmet that went down to his ears, the gas-mask faceplate, the ballistic body armour and a small communication package. He also found himself holstering a Cardenfell-9 Semi-Auto Pistol. He preferred Kiavalari small arms and this would do him will.
As the boats launched, he could hear one of the men, a captain, say, "Alright, watch your trigger fingers. We do not know who's on what side and I'd rather not have a diplomatic incident on us."
Affirmations followed as the boats edged closer. "Sir, they seem to have primitive ranged weapons. Bows and arrows... some slings." Another soldier went.
"Noted, motor boats, maintain distance. For now." The same captain commanded.
Arslan held his breath, regretting nor being with the delegation. He had his orders, and he would not fail them.
---------------------------
Rinsui grimaced as he saw the men around him draw their swords. "Minister Shinkei, Minister Rinsui." He heard the familiar voice of the HKA Seamarshal, as he had come to learn, say. "Am I to understand you are being attacked, and this is not a trap to get us killed?" Illyen continued, Rinsui noted a small hint of sarcasm, something he found strangely reassuring. He was dreading how he would explain this to his guests more than he was dreading how they'd get out of here.
"Yes, Seamarshal Kanbiran. They appear to be pirates." He found himself answering, he was not lying. Their assailants had the attire and look of pirates, yet he found that strange.
"Not normal pirates! They don't usually have the guts to attack ports, let alone cities like Maihark." Yelled the voice of Shinkei, he was fighting one of the pirates, one that broke through the line of guards surrounding them.
"I don't understand, no ships entered the harbour where did they come from." He asked no one in particular.
"Let's hope we can live to figure that out." Quipped Kanbiran.
"Ministers, do I and my men have your explicit permission to defend ourselves, fearing no repercussions?" Asked Illyen. Rinsui found that odd, of course they could defend themselves, why would that be a question.
"Y-Yes." He answered as the Seamarshal and his men brought out small instruments of some sort, they looked black.
"Then please tell your men to fall back, behind mine." Illyen said, in an authoritative tone that Rinsui would have questioned if this was a different moment.
"Pardon? Are you su-," Rinsui attempted to ask.
"Yes." The brisk reply came from Illyen.
Before Rinsui could contemplate that, it was Shinkei that loosened the orders, barking a dozen commands as the guards shuffled back and behind Illyen's men. They all had those small black things and for a moment Rinsui thought they were mad. They wore no armour, carried no swords or shields. What could they-
BANG.
Rung a sound piercing his ears, freezing almost everyone except the Alaxians. One of the pirates fell down, blood spreading from his slumped body. "This right here is a 'gun'. Any who faces it will perish. You may surrender and keep your lives, or your can join your dead friend." Illyen spoke, bringing up the small black instrument, his voice loud and commanding. The pirates seemed to hesitate as Rinsui could see fear in their eyes. Yet, they charged all the same.
BANG.
It rung out again.
BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.
The sounds didn't stop. It was like a small thunderbolt, or parpaldian firecrackers going off.
BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.
It kept going, until almost every one of the pirates were on the ground. Groaning and yells of pain sounded the survival of some, yet most lay dead.
Rinsui could not speak, some dozen men brought down at least two times their number without ever coming into melee. He felt a great many things. He felt wonder. He felt astonishment. He felt fear. It wasn't just him, Shinkei, the guards, the other ministers and men, they all were equally shocked.
He didn't know what to say, what to do. Surely if these people, with iron ships, iron wyverns and magical weapons were no barbarians. Surely they were stronger than maybe even the Parpaldians. Such power could burn them all and not bat an eye. Burn them all...
Burning...
He could smell it. Burnt timber. Over the smell of blood and death. Then he could see it. Swathes of the port were on fire. Rinsui now feared he would have to watch his home burn.
The gunfire hadn't stopped, perhaps Rinsui had gotten used to it. Perhaps he just channelled the sound out. He learnt from Emilia that these were only 'small arms' as she had called them. She was also very quiet and scared during the fight. It had brought him some modicum of relief knowing that even to the Alaxians, this was a terrifying experience.
Shinkei and Illyen had started to work hand in hand in trying to eliminate the last of the pirates. With more HKA men and boats emerging from the ship. The fleeing pirates boarded their ships and realisation struck him. The Merchant ships. That's why they were there. The merchant ships hid the pirates, they weren't fleeing from the pirates. They were the pirates.
He bit his tongue and saw Shinkei glaring at the Merchant ships. He must have gotten to the same conclusion.
Illyen came up to them, a small device on his hand buzzing, it looked like the Alaxians had magical comms as well, or at least a version of it. "The port is mostly clear... many of the scum fled into the city, and the port fires are still raging." Illyen reported, as a show of courtesy. Rinsui knew he didn't have to.
Then, Illyen's eyes too fell on the fleeing ships. "Are all of those pirate ships?" He asked as Shinkei nodded.
"It is a shame we can't chase those bastards..." said Shinkei, gritting his teeth.
"May I command my ship to attack them then?" Asked Illyen as both Rinsui and Shinkei turned to him.
"We cannot ask this of you..." broached Rinsui as Illyen spoke into his comms.
"It is of no consequence." Illyen replied as within moments, they heard a thundering sound, and one of the pirate ships was blown out of the water. Another thundering sound led to another pirate ship in ruins. By the third shot, Rinsui had confidently placed the source as the HKA vessel. Before long, all of the pirate ships were destroyed, only adding to the list of astonishment for Rinsui.
The ship then started to move near the port, for a second, Rinsui thought the ship would use its guns on them. He turned to Illyen. "For the fire, please watch." He said. And Rinsui could do nothing but oblige. The ship edged near the port and jets of water began to fire from points within the ship. Rinsui noted how these were operated by people. The ship looked even bigger up close and Rinsui's wonders began to grow.
It had taken them the entire day to clean up the last remnants within the port. With the fire doused, the guards had spread throughout the city to hunt the last remaining pirates. Rinsui still wondered how they had done it. Or more importantly, why. Rinsui finally had time to ponder on what had happened and in hushed whispers, he spoke to Shinkei. "This could not have been pirates. Pirates loot. These fellows? They took nothing. Tried to torch everything. Something more sinister is afoot Shinkei, we must find out what. We must find out how. And we must find it out quick."
Shinkei offered a grim nod in reply, excusing himself to take command of the cleanup.
Rinsui had also finished speaking with Illyen and Emilia. He apologised to them profusely for the mistreatment, but to his relief, they seem to not mind. He insisted that they stay the night, in the city Palace, and this time, they did not refuse.
"Although we must make our reports first, Minister. By your leave." They had said, before going off into their boat.
This had left Rinsui without any pressing tasks and his thoughts drifted to Kanata. 'Where was the Prime Minister?' he wondered. He should be making his way back by now. Rinsui had dispatched multiple riders to inform the prime minister of the events that had transpired but he hasn't heard back. As if to allay any fears, a seemingly tired rider entered his view, quickly getting off his horse. 'He's here then.' He thought to himself as he moved towards the rider.
"Sir!" The rider cried out. "The Prime Minister..." he continued and Rinsui's heart sank.
Outside Maihark
17 August, 2527 XY
A hooded figure sat at a fire some 5 kilometers outside Maihark. His clothing appeared weathered and if not for the glow of the fire, he'd be completely camouflaged to his surrounding. He patiently waited as the sun set and night fell. Eventually, stomping of hooves interrupted the peace and another figure rode into his camp.
"It is done." a fruity voice croaked. It belonged to the man on the horse.
"Yet the city does not burn." The hooded man retorted. He sounded angry.
"Your problem. Not mine." the man on the horse bit back, getting off his horse.
"What happened?"
"I don't know. I had to go make arrangements. What does it matter? I held up my end of the bargain."
The hooded figure smiled under his cloak, it was an eerie smile, almost inhumane. "That you did. But your purpose is not served. I still have need you..."