The weather continued to deteriorate each day, the thawing snow transforming the roads into muddy quagmires. Trucks and tanks struggled to navigate the thick, sticky muck, making travel increasingly treacherous. Soldiers had to tread carefully, knowing that one misstep could leave them stuck.
The muddy conditions were as punishing as the frostbite of winter, a fact that prompted one soldier to joke, “In the snow, we only got frostbite. Now it’s mud. Why did our leader want this land in the first place?” Laughter broke out, a momentary relief from their grim reality.
Hazel surveyed the scene from atop her tank, she gaze drifting to Nara, who marched alongside the convoy. She moved with a steady, unwavering pace, her face a mask of indifference as she stared straight ahead. It was as if she were a doll, impervious to fatigue despite the arduous trek through the mud. Her unusual behavior stirred concern in Hazel; she wished she understood what lay beneath her stoic exterior.
Suddenly, the distant rumble of artillery fire shattered the uneasy peace. The sound echoed from the north, a clear sign that the conflict was encroaching upon them. They couldn’t see the battle, but the heavy blasts hinted at chaos just beyond the horizon. As night fell, the darkness deepened, and they pressed on, desperate to avoid the fighting. A flicker of light in the distance caught Hazel’s eye—flashes from enemy artillery.
“Do you believe in Gott, Yu?” Hazel asked as she climbed back into the tank.
Yu looked at him for a moment, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face. “I believe in God, but not in religion. Religions are made by people for their own benefit. I believe in God as a higher power. Why do you ask?”
“Because only Gott can save those poor souls,” he replied.
A hint of sadness crossed Yu’s face at his words. “Yeah... only God can save them. It’s His will that this is happening. Humans are powerless to change anything, and that makes me feel sad.”
As they traveled, they encountered a group of refugees and army deserters standing at a crossroads. They showed no sign of aggression, merely clutching their weapons with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. One deserter recognized Hazel. “Hey, I know you! You’re Major Hazel, right? We fought together in Manchuria!”
Hazel squinted, trying to recall the face before him. “Who are you?”
“I’m the one who gave your tank a flamethrower at the workshop,” the deserter replied.
Hazel chuckled, remembering the tech who had outfitted his tank. “Ah, so you’re the one! What’s happening in the north?”
The deserter’s tone shifted to serious. “It’s chaos up there. Heavy tensions between the Red Nation troops and the Blood Khaganate. The war is escalating every day, and destruction is widespread. The Blood Khaganate is gaining strength.”
“So, they’re fighting now? Who’s on Zion’s side?” Hazel asked.
“Zion loyalists are attacking both the Red Nation and the Blood Khaganate,” the deserter confirmed.
Hazel nodded, thoughtful. “Look, our tank needs more engineers. Want a job?”
The deserter’s eyes lit up with hope. “Yes, sir! I’d be happy to take the job.”
As they cleared the trees and hit the open steppe, a group of maybe fifteen, twenty riders appeared on the horizon. They moved among the rolling hills, their dark cloaks billowing in the wind. They wore these freaky silver skull masks, and their horses had these weird, bony-looking exo-helmets. It was a definite "we're not here for tea and biscuits" vibe.
They charged straight for the tank, swords out, “No mercy for cowards!” Viper, the rider leader, shouted,
Then, some of the riders pulled out anti-tank launchers, firing on the move. The heat-seekers locked onto the tank, but Hazel’s tank automatically deployed decoys, shooting up like fireworks and drawing the missiles away.
but despite this the riders still charge at them
Hazel’s heart raced. “What kind of madness is this? They’re charging at us with swords?! Give them fireworks, boys. Set for high explosive shells!”
The gunner complied, loading the high explosive shells just as the riders closed in. With a decisive shout, Hazel commanded, “Fire!”
The shell struck true, shattering horses and riders alike in a gruesome display. Bodies flew through the air, but the remaining riders quickly spread out, displaying their skill.
“They’re Siberian riders! Expert horsemen with enchanted steeds!” Yu exclaimed.
“I heard about them in a bar. So they’re not a myth,” Hazel muttered. “Alright, boys, prepare the machine gun!”
The riders circled the tank, evading the tank’s fire. They executed a tactical maneuver, closing in while avoiding the gunner’s aim. The gunner waited for Hazel’s command.
“Fire at will!” Hazel shouted.
The machine gun roared to life, sending a hail of bullets into the riders. The armor of the horsemen crumbled under the onslaught, and one by one, they fell.
Despite the chaos, some riders pressed forward, attempting to strike the tank with swords and explosives. The machine gun fire was relentless, but their morale remained unnervingly high.
In the midst of the turmoil, Nara seized a rifle with a bayonet from a fallen soldier. With surprising agility, she attacked the nearest rider, catching them off guard. The horsemen attempted to evade her strikes, but she moved with lethal precision.
The leader of the riders, cloaked and formidable, noticed her and charged at her with a spear. Nara parried the attack effortlessly and shot the rider point-blank, sending him tumbling to the ground.
As she rose, she locked eyes with Nara. “I know you... you’re Zion’s lost dog, Nara,” she spat.
Recognition flickered in Nara’s eyes. The leader was Viper, a former windup girl and slave of Zion. Anger surged within her.
Amid the chaos, Hazel ordered his tank to turn, attempting to envelop the remaining riders. Viper, aware of the trap, quickly mounted her horse and rallied her comrades. “Form a smoke screen! We’re retreating!”
The riders complied, creating a cloud of smoke as they fled. Some attempted to damage the tank with explosives, but their numbers were dwindling. The remaining riders had to retreat to survive.
The tank could not pursue them into the woods; it would be too risky. Hazel ordered the tank to halt. They needed to refocus on their main mission—escorting the caravan south. The tank began to move slowly, returning to the task at hand, leaving the chaos behind.
After regrouping and reorganizing the caravan following the attack, Hazel and several officers gathered to examine the fallen riders. The bodies sprawled across the ground, adorned with intricate tattoos and clad in long black cloaks. Some of the corpses boasted mechanized limbs,.
The officers exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued by the tattoos and mechanical enhancements. Hazel approached the nearest body, tapping on the cold, metal limb.
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“Do we think we can sell these?” she asked,
The officers leaned in, inspecting the mechanized limbs with wide eyes, their hopes for profit rising. The prospect of salvaging valuable parts sparked a lively discussion among them.
“Absolutely! If we can extract them without damaging them—” one officer began, his enthusiasm evident.
Hazel chuckled at their eagerness. “I think you all know what to do.” He stepped back as they drew axes and knives, preparing to extract the valuable materials.
As the officers moved to their grim task, Hazel turned her attention to Nara, who sat nearby against the tank. She stared into the distance, her expression unreadable, lost in thought. The landscape unfolded before her, but she seemed detached, oblivious to the chaos surrounding them. A few soldiers glanced her way but quickly averted their eyes, sensing her desire for solitude.
“So, I hear you fought bravely out there. Hand-to-hand combat,” Hazel ventured, stepping closer. “Too bad I couldn’t see it with my own eyes.”
Nara turned her gaze toward him, her expression still flat. She registered the warmth in his voice but remained unresponsive, her thoughts elsewhere. Hazel studied her for a moment, sensing a wall between them.
“Do they like you?” she asked, curious about her connections to the others.
Silence hung in the air as Nara processed the question. She didn’t know how to respond, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn’t articulate.
“Never mind,” Hazel said, sensing her discomfort. He gave her shoulder a gentle pat, then turned to rejoin the officers.
Left alone once more, Nara returned to her thoughts, pondering Hazel’s question. The world around her faded into the background as she wrestled with the weight of her own emotions, grappling with the complexities of connection and isolation.
Ferghana Valley, Late December 2405
The Hazel caravan traversed the vast Turgai Plateau, where arid plains and steppes slowly gave way to a more picturesque landscape. The desert receded, replaced by the majestic Kazakh mountains rising high against the horizon, their peaks still dusted with snow. It was a breathtaking sight, a welcome relief from the monotony of the desert,
their aim to reach the neutral faction. a Green nation is located in persia. while dodging both zion “loyalist” and Crescent alliance attack.
As night fell, the caravan set up camp, the flickering campfires casting warm glows against the encroaching darkness. Hazel wandered through the camp, his gaze settling on Nara, who lay on the grass, staring up at the starry sky. In her hand, he spotted a pair of red glasses—Panji's glasses. A wave of nostalgia washed over him.
“Hey,” Hazel called out, “I know someone who usually wears those. Panji’s glasses, right? The only officer with bright glasses at the academy.”
Nara looked up, surprise flickering across her face. “You know Panji?” she replied, a hint of recognition in her voice. She slowly nodded, her gaze returning to the stars above.
“Are you… close with him?” Hazel inquired, curiosity piqued.
After a moment of silence, Nara replied softly, “Yes, we are close.”
“Like lovers?” Hazel ventured, raising an eyebrow.
Nara’s cheeks flushed, and a shy smile broke across her face. “Yes, we are lovers,” she admitted.
“How did you two meet?” Hazel pressed, intrigued.
Nara chuckled nervously, the warmth of the moment palpable. “It’s a long story. I can’t really explain it all; it’s too personal.”
“And how about you?” Hazel prompted, sensing a deeper story.
Nara let out a small laugh, contemplating her past. “I’m just a lost girl. I was a slave of Zion. I became part of the army after I got famous.”
“Fascinating,” Hazel remarked, intrigued by the transformation from lost girl to bodyguard. “So how did that happen?”
Nara smiled, her eyes reflecting a mix of pride and melancholy. “I was just a broken kid, run away from home, and becoming his bodyguard was my way to survive. There was no other choice for me back then.”
“Did they force you? I heard Zion’s bodyguards are fiercely loyal,” Hazel probed.
Nara hesitated, looking down before answering. “They forced me. They controlled my life, and I had no choice but to obey. Most of Zion’s bodyguards are slaves, like me. That’s our fate.”
“What makes you different then?” Hazel asked, genuinely confused. “It sounds like a plot hole.”
“Panji had a choice; he joined the rebellion. I was forced into the Zion army,” Nara explained, her voice heavy with regret. “Our destinies are different.”
Hazel frowned, trying to understand. “I guess it’s just too complicated for me.”
“It's okay if you don’t understand,” Nara said, looking up at the stars, her expression sad. “My situation isn’t simple.”
After a long pause, Hazel broke the silence. “We’ll be reaching the mountains soon. I want you to join the scout unit. You have exceptional fighting skills.”
Nara raised her head, surprised by his words. “Is that so? I didn’t know my skills would be necessary. But… why me?”
“Because my division took heavy losses in the Altai Mountains during the winter war. Mountain warfare relies on close combat, and you’re perfect for that,” Hazel explained.
Nara considered this, then nodded. “Alright, I’m with you.”
“Do you have a rank?” Hazel asked.
Nara took a deep breath. “My rank is captain.”
“Good! Now you’re my captain. You’ll work with Captain Tetsuya.”
Nara blinked, her curiosity piqued. “Wait, I’m working with Captain Tetsuya? Isn’t he the captain of the tank unit?”
“Yes,” Hazel replied, “why? Do you know him?”
Nara’s face softened as she recalled their shared history. “We were in the same academy and the gladiator arena. He was a death racer when I was a pit fighter. We know each other well.”
Hazel raised an eyebrow. “I see… what an unexpected reunion.”
Nara laughed lightly, though her smile faded as memories of the past crept in. “We didn’t have a good relationship back then, but now we need to work together. This is life or death.”
“Yeah, don’t let past grudges affect you,” Hazel said, sighing. “I’ll talk to Tetsuya about this.”
As the days passed, they reached the Fergana Valley. The landscape shifted dramatically, revealing green fields and orchards that exuded a calm, peaceful vibe after their perilous journey. The relief of the beautiful scenery enveloped them.
During their journey, Tetsuya broke the silence. “Hey, Nara, go check that hill over there.”
Nara looked at him, slightly confused. “Um… why? I can do that, but what do you expect to find?”
“Because you’re not afraid of anything,” Tetsuya smirked.
Nara nodded, accepting the challenge. “Alright, I’m on my way to check that hill.”
As she climbed to the summit, the view took her breath away. From the peak, she could see the long trail of Hazel’s caravan, tanks and trucks moving steadily. In the distance, she spotted a cloud of dust rising ominously behind a hill.
Curious, she raised her binoculars, scanning the horizon. the binocular is advanced enough to see through the mountain dense rock
“A tank brigade is on the move,” she murmured, her heart racing. Realizing the potential threat, she hurried back down.
“Tetsuya! We have a situation!” she called out, urgency in her voice.
“Why not just use your radio?” he quipped as she approached.
“I wasn't sure if you could hear it with all the noise in the valley,” Nara replied, slightly out of breath. “But I thought I’d get here faster.”
“What did you see?” Tetsuya asked, his expression shifting to concern.
“A tank brigade moving right now, just behind that hill. If we don’t act, they’ll attack,” she warned.
Tetsuya gulped and quickly radioed Hazel. As he relayed the information, Nara watched him, anxious for their next move. “What’s the plan? Are we going to attack?”
“I don’t know,” Tetsuya admitted, “I’m just a racer, not a military genius.”
Nara frowned, but her resolve solidified. “Then we wait for orders. If Hazel gives the command, we’ll join the battle.”
“Do you see a flag or anything? What do they belong to?” Tetsuya asked, scanning the area.
Nara shook her head. “No flags or insignia—just mercenaries. Their movements are suspicious, though.”
As Hazel’s tanks formed a wedge formation, smoke and dust filled the valley. “This is going to be a fierce battle,” Nara said, worry threading through her voice.
“Our buffalo tanks are the heaviest on earth. We can stand against any tanks,” Tetsuya asserted, though doubt crept into his tone. “But we’re not in an open area.”
Nara frowned at the approaching tank brigade. “We can withstand any tank, but can we handle all of them at once? It will be a challenge.”
“Only time will tell,” Tetsuya replied, donning his goggles and returning to the driver’s seat.
As the tank scout team moved forward, Nara gripped the side of the tank, trying to mask her nerves with a stoic expression.
“Alright, boys,” Hazel’s voice boomed over the intercom. “You dogs of war, we will show them hell! Keep moving forward and destroy them in sight!”
Adrenaline surged through Nara as Hazel’s order echoed in her ears. She gripped the tank tighter, her heart racing. The crew was buzzing with excitement, ready for battle.
Hazel punched Yu’s shoulder. “We’ll see another tank battle!”
Yu smirked. “Yeah, let’s hope you don’t make any dumb mistakes this time.”
“I won’t,” Hazel replied confidently as the tank division maintained its wedge formation, moving forward with purpose.
Nara felt a mix of excitement and anxiety as they advanced. As the scout unit, she was leading the charge, and she was determined to make her mark in this fierce conflict. The showdown with the tank brigade loomed ahead, and she was ready to face whatever came their way.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Tetsuya’s voice crackled over the radio, breaking the serene quiet of the valley. “Nara, put on your mask!”
“Got it,” Nara replied, slipping on her mask with a determined expression. “I’m ready to lure them.” She pushed down her nerves, focusing on the task at hand.
The scout team pressed forward, their tanks racing toward the unknown enemy brigade. Suddenly, the enemy tanks halted and began firing their main artillery at the scout team’s position. Nara's heart raced as she recognized the imminent danger.
Without hesitation, she jumped from her tank, retrieving a tactical rocket launcher from her backpack. She quickly loaded it and aimed at one of the enemy's artillery tanks.
“Nara, you’ll get crushed by Hazel’s tank if you’re not careful!” Tetsuya shouted over the radio, his tone a mix of urgency and disbelief.
“Thanks for the heads-up!” she retorted, her eyes darting between her tank and the encroaching smoke. In a swift motion, she ducked into the covering haze, crawling to safety behind a rock as explosions rocked the battlefield.
Through the smoke, she saw Hazel’s tanks rise, returning fire and obliterating enemy positions with frightening efficiency. Within minutes, the enemy brigade was in disarray, their ranks collapsing under the assault.
Nara skillfully dodged debris as she navigated the chaos. With each moment, she felt the adrenaline surging through her veins. Spotting a large boulder, she climbed it to gain a better view of the battlefield. From her vantage point, she could see the remnants of the enemy tanks, smoke rising from their wreckage, and Hazel’s forces moving methodically through the chaos, firing at any remaining enemy soldiers.
As the dust began to settle, Tetsuya’s tank emerged from the smoke, rolling toward her. Nara's heart raced with relief. “Tetsuya! Are you alright? What happened out there?”
“We won,” Tetsuya said, popping his head out of the turret with a grin. “They’re no more. But Hazel wants us to scout ahead for possible enemy reinforcements.”
“Good news!” Nara exclaimed, her spirits lifting. “But wait… are we going to scout ahead?”
“Yeah. Move your tiny ass to the tank now. We have work to do,” Tetsuya urged, barely containing his amusement.
Nara climbed onto the tank, ready to roll out. “Alright, let’s do this then.”
As they passed the wrecks of enemy tanks, Nara noticed soldiers looting the remains for valuable equipment. “What are we doing now?” she asked, glancing at Tetsuya. “Shouldn’t we head back now that there’s no immediate threat?”
“I don’t understand how you made captain,” Tetsuya replied, shaking his head. “Is it just combat prowess? Scouts need to keep an eye on the bigger picture.”
Nara shot him a look. “Yes, I have good combat skills, but I also received special training that enhanced my situational awareness during battle. I can see movements and analyze them. That’s why I got my rank.”
“Okay, okay,” Tetsuya conceded, rolling his eyes. “Good to see a familiar face.”
Nara felt a mixture of annoyance and confusion at his casual dismissiveness. She opened her mouth to respond but stopped, sensing something off in his expression.
Tetsuya then offered her a can of beer. “Here, this might help.”
Surprised, Nara accepted it. “Thanks,” she said, cracking it open and taking a sip.
As they both drank, the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the valley. The peaceful landscape, dotted with the remnants of battle, felt surreal. For a moment, it was as if the chaos of war had been a distant memory, a dream overshadowed by the beauty of the setting sun.
Nara sighed contentedly, looking at the horizon. “Maybe we can find some peace here after all,” she mused, savoring the calm after the storm.