General Sima, a bald man with a crimson cloak and a thin mustache, stood atop the ruins of Karakorum. The remaining high-ranking officers of the Khaganate stood before him, their numbers greatly reduced but their spirits high.
"Brothers and sisters," he boomed, his voice echoing across the ancient city. "We stand on sacred ground, where our ancestors, led by Genghis Khan, built an empire that spanned the world. For too long, we've been held down. But today, we reclaim our destiny!
The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices rising like a tempest. Sima's heart swelled with pride as he saw the fire in their eyes. "Together, we will ride forth, a tide of fury and honor! We will forge alliances, crush our enemies, and build an empire that will echo through the ages! The world will remember our names, and they will know that the Blood Khaganate has returned!"
With a final flourish, he raised his sword high, the blade glinting in the fading light. "For glory! For honor! For the Blood Khaganate! Let us ride into history and claim our rightful place as the rulers of the world!"
Hazel and the other members of the Bastard Brigade watched in awe as the Khaganate showcased their culture. They witnessed breathtaking horse riding acrobatics, an eagle festival, and even a thrilling competition that resembled armored vehicle racing with shooting targets. Hazel was captivated, deeply intrigued by the Khaganate's unique blend of tradition and modernity.
Hazel became increasingly invested in the culture of the Blood Khaganate, observing their daily rituals from dawn until dusk. Each morning, they would pray toward the rising sun, followed by a sermon from their priest. Sometimes the messages were uplifting, celebrating life, but other times they took a darker turn, encouraging a detachment from their enemies, likening them to trees that needed to be chopped down.
In the mornings, the women prepared meals for the men heading off to war, much like in the Red Nation, where domestic duties fell primarily to them. They tended to the children, herded livestock, and managed household tasks. Despite their close ties to the Red Nation, there was an underlying fear of annexation, which would mean a complete separation of men and women under Red Nation control.
they dont wanna the red nation ceasar religion convuluded to their faith. its was just european forign gods. its alien for them.
and each meal is created by love of their women. not a by machine. espencially the idea of zion “farm” is too disconected to their view
Later, Hazel arrived in a newly conquered territory that once belonged to the True Horde. She witnessed prisoners lined up, while Khaganate officers engaged in a twisted game to see who could execute them the fastest with arrows.
Women were gathered in tents, expected to entertain the soldiers, while children were separated from their parents. These children were viewed as future assets for the Khaganate, destined to be trained and indoctrinated to fight as warriors, participating in mock battles and the "Monastery of War" to foster camaraderie, loyalty, and a sense of purpose.
Hazel, who had faced a tough life since childhood, began to feel the effects of the Khaganate culture and its warrior ethos. The normalization of violence started to corrupt her soul. Meanwhile, a new army group emerged, a mix of Red Nation mercenaries and Khaganate warriors, calling themselves the Red Army. They drew inspiration from the old Soviet army that fought the Nazis in World War II, viewing the True Horde and other opposing warlords as subhuman. For them, this conflict was framed as a holy war.
In late October 2404, the workshop in Vladivostok buzzed with activity as technicians worked diligently on a fleet of Buffalo tanks, transforming them into formidable land battleships. Thick armor plates were being fitted, giving the tanks an imposing presence.
Hazel inspected the scars on her own tank, a frown creasing her brow. “We need new weapons to deal with those pesky saboteurs attacking us at close range,” she muttered, frustration evident in her voice.
Nearby, a team of weapon technicians, clad in thick white masks and protective gear, were busy constructing an automatic revolver pistol designed to fire musket-sized ammunition, a practical choice for the chaotic battlefield.
“Can I request a flamethrower attachment?” Hazel asked, her eyes lighting up at the thought.
The technicians exchanged glances and nodded. “Yes, we can build that attachment for you. But you need to be careful. Use the flamethrowers against the enemy only at short distances,” one cautioned, handing Hazel a pamphlet filled with warnings about the dangers of flamethrowers, including a stern note against using them on civilians.
“Don’t worry about it. A 10-40 meter range? That’s plenty. Our machine gun has a blind spot,” Hazel replied confidently.
The technician raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You want two flamethrowers attached to the sides of the tank?”
“Of course! They surround us from multiple directions. Two flamethrowers are the answer,” Hazel insisted.
“Alright, if you say so,” the technician shrugged, turning to his crew. “Let’s build two flamethrowers for the tank. Make them simple and easy to use.”
As the technicians began assembling the flamethrowers, Hazel’s excitement grew. “Good. I want this to be a priority. I want to burn someone with that next week!”
“Get those flamethrowers done as soon as possible! It’s our highest priority right now!” the technician shouted to his crew, urgency in his voice.
A week later, the new buffalo tank rolled out, equipped with its fiery attachments.
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As the tank cruised forward, Yu stood near the flamethrowers, ready to give the order. The crew was tense, checking their weapons and scanning the surroundings for any signs of enemy infantry.
Hazel observed from the cupola, spotting a lone hut on the flat terrain. “Let’s try our new gun,” she said,
Yu raised her voice to the crew. “All crew ready. On my signal, we will fire both flamethrowers at the target. In five seconds, we will fire the flamethrowers.”
The crew acknowledged her command, their anticipation palpable. As the tank closed in on the target, Hazel urged, “Don’t shoot our cannon. Let’s use our flames instead. Keep moving forward!”
“Ready… 3… 2… 1… GO!” Yu shouted, and both flamethrowers unleashed a torrent of fire toward the target.
“Oh my Gott… that is well-cooked!” Hazel exclaimed, watching as the flames engulfed the area, sending enemy infantry scrambling in panic.
“Mercy kill them with the machine gun!” she ordered, as the crew opened fire on the burning soldiers, some of whom were still trying to fight back.
Yu felt a pang of pity for the wounded, but her anger flared when she saw them shooting at the tank. “Stupid!” she shouted, before jumping out to finish them off.
“Why bother going outside to kill them, orange hair?” Hazel called out, surprised to see her outside the tank.
“I feel pity and anger at the same time. It’s so stupid! They don’t realize their musket balls bounce off our armor!” Yu replied, frustration evident in her voice.
“Yeah, they don’t stand a chance. Let’s finish this war quickly!” Hazel laughed,
“Fine. Let’s fire the main gun,” Yu said, switching the lever to control the tank’s main gun.
As the tank continued its advance, the main gun fired a massive shell toward the enemy line, causing chaos among the remaining soldiers.
“Alright, I see their trench at 400 meters. Let’s bury them alive!” Hazel declared,
Yu nodded, her resolve matching his. “Yeah, we will bury them alive.” She adjusted the tank’s speed, ready to charge forward.
As grenades and satchel charges exploded near the tank, the buffalo tank remained steady, its thick armor absorbing the blasts. The enemy infantry, desperate and reckless, attempted to climb onto the tank, throwing Molotov cocktails in a last-ditch effort to destroy it.
But the buffalo tank pressed on, reaching the enemy trench, ready to unleash its fiery wrath.
As the tank rumbled forward, Hazel leaned out of the cupola, a grin spreading across his face. “Alright, do the dance!” he called out, his voice filled with excitement.
“DANCE!” Yu shouted to the crew, her enthusiasm infectious. The crew sprang into action, pushing the lever to rev the tank’s engine to full speed. With a flick of her wrist, Yu pulled the lever controlling the flamethrowers. Flames erupted from both sides of the tank, a rain of fire that engulfed the trench ahead, creating a fiery spectacle that stretched for forty meters.
“I hope someone is recording us,” Hazel mused, a twinkle in her eye. “Because this is damn heroic!”
Yu laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “It is heroic! Who knows, maybe we’ll be remembered as legends. Or villains. But either way, we have a job to do.”
“Yeah, another tank victory!” Hazel exclaimed, popping out of the tank to survey the scene. He spotted friendly infantry clearing the trench. “Loot only what’s necessary, guys! Don’t let those rusty weapons get in our way... and I suggest you grab those trench coats—winter is coming!”
The infantry chuckled at his orders, quickly getting to work. They began looting the trench, gathering weapons and supplies, while also taking Hazel’s advice to snag warm clothing. Just then, a small group of enemy survivors, who had managed to hide from the tank’s onslaught, emerged with their hands raised in surrender.
“More men mean more food,” Hazel said with a smirk. “Order the prisoners to help us with our baggage instead!”
Laughter erupted among the friendly infantry as they took the captured enemy’s weapons and belongings, forcing them to carry the heavy loads. The sight of the enemy soldiers sweating and struggling under the weight was almost comical.
As October rolled in, the Red Nation army began its advance toward Ulaanbaatar, the snow starting to fall with their arrival. The temperature plummeted, making movement sluggish and cumbersome. Hazel frowned as he observed the icy landscape through his scope.
“Our main weakness is our movement,” she noted, “but so far, there’s only been small enemy resistance. I wonder where the main bulk of the enemy is hiding.”
From the reports, it seemed the enemy was biding their time, likely waiting in the forest for a chance to strike.
“What does our supreme leader want?” Hazel pondered aloud. “Do we keep moving in winter, or do we wait until spring?”
It was a tough call. The harsh winter conditions made it difficult to advance, but the supreme leader had ordered them to keep pushing forward, determined to keep the enemy on their toes.
“Alright, keep moving,” Hazel commanded. “We’ll only take a small break in the city before we push on again.”
As the Red army continued its march, they faced the challenges of the winter landscape. The steppes and mountains were blanketed in pristine snow, creating a breathtaking yet treacherous environment. Frozen rivers glistened under the pale sun, and the vibrant colors of the winter sky contrasted sharply with the white landscape.
“Hey, Yu,” Hazel called, breaking the silence as she sipped her hot chocolate. “What’s your backstory? Why does a woman like you become a tanker?”
Yu chuckled lightly. “I was an ex-windup girl in New York. I escaped, but then I was captured by the windup agency. They offered me a deal: work for them for two years, and I’d earn my freedom. But I refused. I wanted to be free, so they sold me to someone else. Eventually, I was rescued by the Red Nation army.”
Hazel blinked in surprise. “So, you’re kind of half-human?”
Yu smiled softly. “In a way, yes. I’m modified, but I still have my personality, my freedom, my feelings. It’s just my body that’s been changed.”
“I see,” Hazel replied, intrigued. “And what do you mean by rescued? Was it like conscription?”
“It was almost like conscription,” Yu admitted. “But I’m grateful for it. The Red Nation army saved me from a horrible life as a windup girl.”
Hazel nodded, understanding the weight of her words. “Some people seem to enjoy this campaign, though.”
Yu’s expression turned serious. “You could say it’s exciting, but for me, it’s about bringing justice to those suffering under the True Horde’s rule. We must succeed at any cost.”
“What have they told you about the True Horde?” Hazel asked, curiosity piqued.
Yu took a deep breath, her gaze steady. “They’re brutal, ruthless barbarians who want to rule everything. They believe their rule is just, but they don’t understand what justice truly means. They take innocent people as slaves and force them to serve.”
“Yeah, that’s what we’ve been told,” Hazel said, her tone contemplative. “But you know, the reason I volunteered here is more personal.”
“Personal?” Yu raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“I was an ex-gang member of the Flying Dragons in Hong Kong. The True Horde destroyed my home... and my lover,” she confessed, her voice heavy with emotion.
Yu’s expression softened. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Hazel replied, shaking his head. “It’s almost karma, I guess. But now, I don’t have anything else to do except this.”
Yu smiled, raising her cup of coffee, which was spiked with liquor. “Now this war has become your personal mission, hasn’t it? We’re all in this together, fighting the True Horde until our last breath!”
“Just don’t drink coffee with alcohol, you maniac,” Hazel warned, shaking her head with a chuckle.
“I’m fine!” Yu insisted, her tone slightly slurred as she took another big sip. “The mix of coffee and liquor is perfect!”
“Crazy girl,” Hazel laughed, finishing her drink as they continued their march into the winter landscape.
As Yu drained the last of her coffee, a playful grin spread across her face, her cheeks slightly flushed from the liquor mixed in. She looked at Hazel with a sparkle in her eye, her demeanor light and carefree despite the grim circumstances surrounding them.
“So, what’s next?” she asked, her voice laced with curiosity. “Are we going to face the True Horde’s main force now, or are we waiting for spring to come?”
Hazel sighed, her expression serious. “Our superiors told us to keep moving. We don’t have the option to wait. What concerns me most is our supply line. We’re sluggish, and we’re deep in enemy territory.”
Yu nodded, her smile fading slightly as the weight of his words sank in. “Oh... that’s a serious issue. The supply line is crucial. It must be protected so the soldiers have enough food and ammunition. That’s what I worry about the most when we march into enemy land. It’s like walking into a lion’s den with a steak tied around our necks.”
“Exactly,” Hazel replied, popping her head out of the tank to survey the scene. sHe watched as Red Army infantry struggled to clear the road with shovels and bulldozers, their progress painfully slow. “We’re damn slow.”
“Yeah, we’re bloody slow,” Yu agreed, taking another sip from her coffee, the warmth of the liquor giving her a momentary sense of comfort. “And that’s what we have to face in this war. Every moment counts, and our sluggish movement will only delay our victory.”
With a shared understanding of the challenges ahead, they both steeled themselves for the fight to come, knowing that the road would be fraught with danger and uncertainty.