Back at Zion's base in Novosibirsk, the transfer pod touched down. As Zion dismounted, Wraith approached, a smug grin on his face. “What do you think of my plan?” he asked, a hint of mischief in his voice. “Pity about the world leaders, but plenty of high-ranking officials are gone. And now look! Shangri-La and the Sea Nation are having a lovers’ quarrel. Very dramatic. Very convenient.”.”
Zion blinked, still processing the recent events—Jozen’s assassination of Pramansha and the resulting conflict between Shangri-La and the rest of the Crescent Alliance. “You planned all of this?”
““Well, ‘planned’ is a strong word. More like… whispered suggestions into the wind, watching them blossom into storms. With a sledgehammer. And a few well-placed explosions. Now, let's capitalize on this beautiful chaos."Wraith replied, unwavering. “Now we strike while they’re divided.”
Trickster chimed in, his eyes gleaming. “The die is cast.”
The implications were clear. With Shangri-La’s departure, the Crescent Alliance’s cohesion had shattered. The timing was perfect.
At the head of the table, Zion considered the situation. Trickster’s words echoed in his mind: Strike now. The opportunity was undeniable, but the scale of what they were about to undertake sent a chill down his spine.
Juggernaut’s voice cut through his thoughts. “Sir, our grip on the gladiator factions is absolute. The revolution has brought us even more support. Minor factions are flocking to our banner. We’re estimating troop numbers between 12.5 and 16 million in North America, ready for deployment.”
Zion raised an eyebrow, a mix of astonishment and apprehension tightening his gut. “That’s… significant.” The sheer size of their force was staggering. But will it be enough? The prospect of the coming war was daunting.
Kassandra leaned in, her brow furrowed. “We have to consider the True Horde,” she warned. “Alam commands roughly 3.5 million troops. The Crescent Alliance, even without Shangri-La, still has about 6.5 million. It’s a precarious balance.”
The room fell silent. Zion considered the numbers. The Red Nation and its allies held a temporary advantage, but the war was far from over. Any misstep could tip the scales.
After a moment, Weaver spoke, his voice steady. “We need to strike while the iron is hot. Our supplies won’t last if we don’t move soon. The Emerald League is the weakest link. We need their resources.”
Zion nodded. “Surprise is key. A swift, aggressive attack on their supply lines and key infrastructure. That’s how we break them.”
His advisors exchanged nods of agreement.
“Alright,” Zion said, his voice firm. “Prepare for the attack. Speed is essential.”
As his advisors dispersed, Wraith lingered, a knowing look on his face. “Zion,i had a spicy suggestion.”
Zion raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”
Wraith leaned forward. “We should hit the Emerald League. They’re the softest target, bloated with wealth and blind to the rot within. They think their neutrality makes them untouchable—like a merchant believing his gold protects him from the plague. They sell their souls to every bidder, believing profit is the highest virtue.”
He then gestured towards a monitor displaying captured True Horde soldiers, mostly green recruits huddled in trenches along the Xinjiang border. “Alam’s tied up there. These boys aren’t exactly Rommel. They’re sitting ducks if we tried a full invasion.”
Wraith leaned back in his chair. “The beauty of it is, Shangri-La’s in chaos after their leader’s… unfortunate demise. They’re ripe for manipulation. Greed is their guiding principle. We offer them a chance to loot the Emerald League, and they’ll bite. It’s in their nature. We pull our forces back from Xinjiang, redirect them south, and let Shangri-La soften the Emerald League from the north. Then we move in for the kill.”
Zion considered this. “I agree. But Shangri-La without a leader… they’re a wild card.”
Kassandra interjected, her brow furrowed. “Exactly. Unpredictable. Relying on them is a risk.”
“Oh, please, woman, just shut up” Wraith scoffed, rolling his eyes. “I practically lived with those monks for years. I know what makes them tick. They're like cats. You give them a laser pointer – in this case, the Emerald League – and they'll chase it without fail.” Kassandra snorted, a mix of amusement and annoyance on her face.
Zion’s surprise shifted to curiosity. “You’re that confident, Wraith? Elaborate.”
Wraith leaned back, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “They’re always looking for a good fight, especially one they can win easily. Without their leader, they’re like a pack of stray dogs without a master. Just needs a little… encouragement. We point them at the Emerald League, and they’ll do the rest. It’s like outsourcing our dirty work, only with more chanting.”
The audacity of the plan was clear: manipulating Shangri-La to attack the Emerald League could be a game-changer. It was a gamble, but a potentially rewarding one.
Juggernaut boomed, “Let me lead the charge! My sentinels will tear through their lines!”
Zion hesitated. Juggernaut’s enthusiasm was infectious, but sending his elite troops unsupported was risky.
“The Emerald League relies heavily on mercenaries,” Kassandra added, thoughtfully. “Most of them are… flexible. We could buy their loyalty. It’d be expensive, but cheaper than a full-scale assault.”
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Zion sat in silence, contemplating the strategy. Mercenaries were notoriously fickle, loyal only to gold and silver. If they could sway their loyalties, it could tip the scales.
Trickster broke the silence. “Well, if we give the mercenaries a heavy blow, their morale will drop. They’re not known for their loyalty, after all.”
Zion nodded slowly, the pieces falling into place. “A decisive blow to their morale could work. Once we break their spirit, they’ll be easy to defeat. We can use their forces to bolster our own and face the Shangri-La without too much burden.”
Juggernaut’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. “So will my sentinels see action then?”
Zion smiled, realizing this was a perfect opportunity for the sentinels to prove themselves. “Yes, your sentinels will be part of this operation. With their superior armor and weaponry, they can help break the enemy lines and wreak havoc among the mercenaries.”
Kassandra studied the map, shaking her head. Our current deployment looks like a toddler with a red crayon on map. We’re stretched from North America, across Manchuria, Mongolia, Siberia… and then we jut straight down into Afghanistan. We haven’t even secured China or India, and now we’re adding Persia to the mix? It’s a geographic disaster.
“Wait,” Kassandra interjected, her brows knitting together. “Are we planning to go after Shangri-La after we hit the Emerald League? We’re still in a stalemate with the True Horde!”
Zion sighed, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. “I’m not sure what our next move will be after the Emerald League. We’ll need to assess the battlefield and decide based on what unfolds. If Shangri-La is still unengaged, it might be a good opportunity to strike. If they’re already in battle, we may have to deal with them first.”
Standing at the gate, Zion surveyed the impressive sight of his heavy-armored infantry and exo-suited soldiers disembarking from their base in Novosibirsk.
They were like bulked-up stormtroopers, but with better aim and fewer laser pointers. The leg implants and powered armor let them wield heavy weapons – gatling guns, light cannons – like toys.
Pride swelled within him; his army was finally ready to engage the rival forces.
As his generals raised their hands in salute, the red general cleared his throat. “We’ll see why Juggernaut is the Khan of the Blood Khaganate!”
Zion nodded, a smile spreading across his face. This was their moment to shine, a trial by fire that would prove their strength. He knew Juggernaut and his warriors would make their ancestors proud in the battles to come.
At the Academy, the repairs were nearly finished, but the atmosphere was far from celebratory. Students from Shangri-La and the Free World, mirroring their home nations’ politics, had already been recalled. Now, as news of the Red Nation’s mobilization reached the Academy, even more students were being pulled back.
but the destruction had faded, leaving behind a scene of restoration of academy building, as workers bustled about, transforming the battered institution back to its former glory.
Yu parked her tank near the pet house, the turret almost brushing the roof. “Well, at least someone’s happy around here,” she muttered, glancing at the rabbits., her spirits lifted by the sight of the animals. After feeding the rabbits, she felt a wave of contentment wash over her. The rabbits, with their soft coats and twitching noses, seemed to appreciate her company, and she smiled at the thought of them munching happily on their greens. Just then, Hazel approached, her face lighting up with a grin.
“Looks like you have some new friends,” Hazel teased, gesturing to the rabbits.
“Do you know what type of rabbit this is?” Yu asked, finding joy in sharing her knowledge.
“It’s a cotton-tail rabbit,” she explained. “They’re soft, have large ears, and are popular pets. Very intelligent, too! They can learn tricks easily.”
Hazel raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming on her lips. “Really? But why have I never seen a rabbit in the circus? Hehe.”
Yu chuckled, her laughter ringing like a bell. “True, cotton-tails are popular, but they’re not trained for performances. They’re just too gentle and friendly for that kind of life.”
Hazel nodded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Hmm… to think they have a whole range of animals here. They even have a kangaroo!”
“That’s right!” Yu agreed, her own excitement bubbling over. “It’s impressive how the Academy manages to have such a variety. A kangaroo is quite the rare find!”
Hazel’s eyes lit up with a mischievous glint. “Can we ride the kangaroo? I’ve always wanted to know what it feels like to be a pouch.”
Yu paused, picturing the exhilarating sensation of bouncing through fields atop a kangaroo. “Absolutely! That would be such a fun adventure! Riding a kangaroo would feel like a roller-coaster ride—just imagine the wind in your hair!”
Hazel leaned closer to the kangaroo's cage, a playful grin on her face. “I wonder what kangaroo tastes like… do they like dog meat or sheep?”
Yu laughed at the outrageous thought. “I think kangaroos mostly eat herbs and vegetables. But some do munch on bugs and small animals, so I guess it's possible they might take a liking to meat—though dog meat and sheep meat is pushing it!”
The light-hearted banter continued until the scene shifted to the distant tundra, where Bora led a group of elite monk warriors against the formidable Red Army. The air was crisp, alive with the scent of pine and the tension of an impending confrontation. Bora stood poised, her striking brown eyes scanning the horizon, a picture of calm amidst the brewing storm.
In the midst of this tense standoff, a familiar voice crackled through her earpiece, breaking the silence. “Hey, so… will you be heading back to your nation after this little ‘Shangri-Lauwu land’ adventure?” Alam’s tone was light-hearted, but the undercurrent of seriousness was unmistakable.
Bora sighed, her focus unwavering from the tactical map spread before her. “It’s complicated,” she replied, her voice steady yet tinged with uncertainty. “I can’t give you a simple answer. There’s a lot to consider.”
“Hmm…” Alam mused, sensing her hesitation. “You’re the only force keeping the Red Army’s supply lines disrupted. If you withdraw, they’ll gain the upper hand.”
Bora furrowed her brow, weighing his words. “I know the risks. I’m committed to keeping those supply lines disrupted. Even after the Crescent Alliance’s operation is over, I’ll stay here. We can’t let them regroup.”
“Thank you,” Alam replied, his tone firm. “After my truce with the Red Army, I’ll come to get you. Together, we’ll split them in half.”
A hint of relief washed over Bora. “I’ll do my best to keep the pressure on until then,” she affirmed, determination lacing her voice.
“Very well… thanks. By the way, you’re beautiful, you know?” Alam’s playful compliment caught her off guard.
Bora’s cheeks flushed a light pink, and she quickly glanced away, a shy smile creeping onto her face. “Oh, thank you! But let’s focus on the mission and not get distracted,” she stammered, trying to regain her composure.
“Alright, got it. Gott bless,” Alam replied, the warmth of his voice lingering in her ears.
As she ended the call, Bora couldn’t help but smile, her heart fluttering from the exchange. With a deep breath, she returned her focus to the tactical map, feeling the weight of her responsibilities mixed with the thrill of camaraderie and connection amidst the looming conflict in the heart of the tundra.