Nkosi woke to a golden cascade of sunlight. Birds chirped outside, oblivious to the world-altering events unfolding—or perhaps just happy it was breakfast time. She stretched like a cat, a warm feeling spreading through her as she turned to Alam. “Good morning, my beloved. Did you sleep well? Can I ask you something?”

Alam, still caught between sleep and wakefulness, rubbed his eyes. “Hmm? Yeah?”

Nkosi leaned closer, a conspiratorial whisper in her voice. “Yesterday… during our… intimate moment, you mentioned marriage. Were you serious, or was that just… the heat of the moment?”

A brief image of their passionate encounter flashed through Alam’s mind. “I was serious,” he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “After this war’s over. Right now, we’re a bit busy with, you know, saving the world.”

Her eyes sparkled. “So, when this is all done… marriage? I like the sound of that.”

“Yeah,” Alam replied, a mix of excitement “What do you think?”

Nkosi’s smile was radiant. “I think it’s wonderful. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. You’re charming, strong… and ridiculously handsome.” She paused, a playful glint in her eyes. “I’m ready for a life together. Once the war’s behind us.”

Alam leaned in and kissed her forehead gently. “Good. Now, let’s get this day started.”

Nkosi blushed, a warm glow on her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a deeper, more passionate kiss.

They broke apart, and Nkosi said, her voice soft, “I love waking up like this. It feels… real. Like we’re building something.”

“Yeah,” Alam said, trying for nonchalant but failing miserably. “See you around.”

Nkosi leaned in for a final, lingering kiss. “Take care of yourself, my love. Don’t let anything steal this joy.”

Alam chuckled. “Yeah. I’m glad I met you in the middle of all this. You keep me sane.”

She laughed. “Me too. This is… special. I hope we can hold onto it. I want to be there for you through this madness.”

Nkosi left for the war council room, her military attire accentuating her figure and radiating authority. She nodded to the assembled Crescent Alliance members and True Horde officers, her voice steady and commanding. “Let’s begin.”

Nkosi left for the war council room, her military attire accentuating her figure and radiating authority. Alam watched her go, a smile lingering on his lips. The thought of a future with her was a welcome distraction from the grim realities of war. But the war couldn't be ignored. He turned to the war table…

The next day, Alam called his own war council, gathering his most trusted allies: Jax, Zhang, Baihu, and others. He cleared his throat, adopting a tone that screamed both authority and a touch of theatrical flair.

“Alright, gentlemen and brave women still following me! Some of you have fought with me since the beginning of our conquest in Central Asia, like Jax and Zhang. Others, like Baihu, have joined us along the way. The Crescent Alliance is helping us fight the Red Army—our main enemy. But today, we face a different threat: the rebels.”

He paused for dramatic effect, letting the tension build. “The Flying Dragons are still alive and kicking! They’ve got a secret dock in their underground city. Today, we’ll make sure those dragons can’t fly anymore... they’ll be swimming instead! Heh.”

“Amen to that!” Baihu chimed in, his enthusiasm infectious. “We’ll crush this rebel threat and bring peace to all of China. No one opposes the True Horde and its leader ever again!”

“Precisely!” Alam nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. “And once this is done, we can finally focus on the Red Army and bring true peace to this land.”

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The war council erupted in a fervent chorus of agreement. Nods, shouts of “True Horde!” and the sound of armor and weapons clashing echoed through the room, a symphony of resolve.

Alam leaned over the war table, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Alright, everyone, calm down. We’re not done yet.” He took a deep breath,. “We already have a navy ready to deal with the Flying Dragons, but intel suggests they’ve set up shop inside the city. They’ve got a thousand people living there, along with a smorgasbord of gangs and cartels. My plan? We’ll spread some delightful discontent among them and turn them against their leader,.”

Baihu nodded sagely, his expression a mix of admiration and mischief. “A wise strategy, sir. If we can sow discord, we can weaken their resistance and make them as vulnerable. By turning the people against him, we can divide their loyalty and create chaos. We’ll conquer the city with minimal casualties and bring the Flying Dragon to its knees. It’s a plan worthy of a war movie!”

“Yeah, all that’s great,” Alam replied, scratching his chin. “But we’re talking about a dangerous covert operation here. With only one way in and out, this is going to be... tricky.” He sighed heavily,

Baihu leaned in, his tone serious. “Indeed, sir. Our covert operatives will need to contact the locals, spread disinformation, and stir the pot. It’s risky, but necessary for our success. The operatives are trained for this kind of chaos, and with their grit, we’ll manage to sow enough discord to weaken the rebel leadership.”

Alam nodded slowly, the gears in his mind turning. “But let’s not forget—I’m a field soldier too. I know the risks involved for our troops. On the other hand, we’ve got plenty of good old-fashioned bombs that can do the job from a safe distance.”

“You make a compelling point,” Baihu agreed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Bombing their stronghold would certainly create havoc and clear a path for our ground forces. It’s a straightforward approach that would do some serious damage without putting our soldiers in the line of fire. But a covert operation could inflict psychological wounds that last longer than any bomb blast.”

Alam scratched his head, feeling a touch indecisive. “Tell you what. Let’s take a vote. All generals in favor of the covert operation, raise your hands.”

The response was immediate and divided. Half the members, including Jax, Zhang, Baihu, and Fang, enthusiastically raised their hands in favor of the covert approach.

“Ha! Damn it!” Alam exclaimed, his frustration palpable, A thousand people down there. Civilians. Could he justify risking their lives for a strategic advantage? But William had made his choice. He'd chosen defiance. Alam took a deep breath. “Alright, let’s do both then. We’ll initiate covert operations, and if that doesn’t pan out, we’ll blow them to pieces!”

Baihu’s face lit up with approval. “Agreed, sir. We’ll try the covert route first, and if it fails, we’ll unleash our destructive side. It’s a solid plan that minimizes risks while still pursuing our objectives.”

Alam straightened, a newfound sense of purpose fueling him. “Alright, form a special ops team for this mission. I want a small, elite group to support our agents inside that underwater city.”

“Yes, sir! We’ll assemble a specialized team to handle the covert operations and assist our agents. I’ll handpick the best from our forces and equip them for the task.” Baihu was practically vibrating with excitement.

“Good. This battle will mark the end of all wars in this region. We will rise as the conquerors of China!” Alam declared, his eyes blazing with ambition.

Baihu nodded vigorously. “That’s the plan, sir. With our victory, the Wanderer Group will be defeated, and the last threat to China’s unity will be eliminated. We’ll cement our status as the True Horde, and no one will dare oppose us again!”

Alam raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “But remember, I’m a Wanderer. We’re part of the True Horde—the backbone of this entire operation. The Flying Dragons are just a bunch of pirates.”

Baihu smirked back. “You’re right, sir. The Wanderer Group is integral to the True Horde, but it’s become fragmented. William stubbornness poses a challenge. This fight is indeed a clash between the old and the new, tradition versus ambition.”

“Exactly,” Alam agreed, his voice steady. “Any questions?”

A brief pause enveloped the room as the council considered their roles in the impending chaos. No one spoke up; they were all ready to carry out the mission.

“Fang,” Alam said, glancing at her. “Are you still hesitant?”

Fang shook her head. “No, sir. I’m ready to commit to this plan. It’s the right course of action.”

“Good,” Alam replied, a fierce determination in his voice. “We’re in the middle of a war. This land is harsh, and if we don’t carry a sword, we’re as good as dead. Never let anyone tell you we’re evil. We’re just trying to survive. This land is almost united. Remember that: we’re not a group that takes advantage of war, playing both sides. We are the unifiers! If someone calls us ruthless, let them. They don’t know the world we live in. We bring stability—no more tribal warfare, no more old hatreds! Everyone united under one banner! For the True Horde!” Alam raised his sword high, his voice echoing with conviction.

The war council erupted in a unified shout of “True Horde!” as they raised their blades or pistols in solidarity. It was a moment of collective determination and fierce resolve.

Later, as the dust settled, Alam’s intercom crackled to life. its from croque

“Hi Alam! How are you doing today? The field test for the mud launcher prototype was a success! That’s all for now, but I hope to talk to you again soon!”

Alam rubbed his chin, a grin spreading across his face. “Good... now I know how to deal with the Red Army. Just a little more...” He leaned back in his chair, plotting the next steps in a world where chaos and strategy danced dangerously close together.