“A few days later, the Emerald League’s mercenary leader stood before the council, his expression grave. ‘The Free World armies are advancing to the south,’ he announced, the weight of the potential invasion palpable. ‘We must recruit more mercenaries and militias to counter this threat.’
The council fell silent, the gravity of the situation sinking in. council member, broke the tension. ‘We cannot afford to underestimate this invasion. Hiring additional forces is not just necessary; it’s imperative for our survival.’
Another councilor, skeptical, replied, ‘But at what cost? Our resources are already stretched thin. Is it worth risking our economy for a fight that may not come?’
‘If we do nothing, we risk losing everything,’ council member countered firmly. ‘We must act decisively to protect our way of life.’
the council member who in past supporting red nation turn silent. kaveh and his son nigel is just observe and wait their turn.
In the final moments of the discussion, the merc leader proposed something bold: appointing seasoned mercenaries as generals for a newly formed Emerald League army. His gaze shifted to Hazel, a skilled and experienced warrior who had proven herself time and again.
“he’s an excellent choice,” he argued. “Her knowledge of warfare and strategy will be invaluable.”
The council members exchanged glances, voices split between those advocating for surrender and those calling for a fight. After a tense vote, the decision to resist was made—narrowly. Hazel and her ally Nigel would join the defense army, a move that filled the air with tension. A major defeat would spell disaster for the council’s integrity and their country.
Later that day, Hazel found Nigel at the palace. “So, you’re a child of one of the council members, huh?” she asked, a teasing lilt in her voice.
Nigel blinked, surprised. “Yeah, but I’ve never mentioned it before.”
“Why not? Don’t you want special treatment?” Hazel prodded, a grin spreading across her face.
“Just a bit,” he admitted with a laugh. “But I prefer to keep a low profile. I don’t want anyone treating me differently just because of my family.”
Hazel chuckled, eyeing his striking white hair and red eyes. “Well, it’s hard to forget someone who looks like you!”
Nigel shrugged, a playful smirk on his lips. “Yeah, I guess so. But I want people to treat me normally.”
“Speaking of normal, your childhood friend Nara is in my unit,” Hazel said, her tone light.
“Oh, Nara! She’s like a sister to me,” Nigel said, warmth flooding his expression. “I’m really glad she’s in the same unit.”
Hazel raised an eyebrow. “Sister? Nothing more?”
Nigel laughed softly, feeling a blush creep to his cheeks. The truth was, he did feel something deeper for Nara, but admitting it was another matter entirely. “Well, we’re really close.”
“Take care of yourself,” Hazel said, giving his shoulder a friendly tap before turning to leave. Nigel watched her go, a mix of embarrassment and determination swirling within him. He needed to prepare for the upcoming mission.
After their conversation, Hazel and her team set off for the Emerald League's black market in the port city by the Caspian Sea, searching for military vehicles essential for their next mission. The vehicle would provide mobility for combat against the Free World army.
“I know this port well from my days with the Flying Dragons of Shanghai,” Hazel said confidently. “Tetsuya, have you found anything good yet?”
“Not yet,” Tetsuya replied, scanning the area. “Most vehicles are outdated or unsuitable for our needs. We still have some time to look, though.”
“Nothing can compare to our Strider or Buffalo tanks,” Hazel mused. “They’re basically the best in the world.”
“True,” Tetsuya agreed. “Both are top-tier, so it’s normal we’re not finding anything that matches them. They have superior armor and mobility, but they require a lot of maintenance.”
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“I’m thinking about technicals,” Hazel suggested. “It’s impossible to find anything as armored as our tanks.”
“Technicals could work,” Tetsuya said, considering. “They’re fast and agile, easy to maintain, but they lack the armor of a Strider or Buffalo. It depends on the mission. If we need speed and mobility, they’re a great choice.”
“Right, and we have to be mindful of our budget,” Hazel said with a smirk. “A thousand technicals are better than twelve rusty tanks, right?”
“Exactly,” Tetsuya chuckled. “We’ll need to find a good deal and consider maintenance costs too.”
“Good. You’re good with machines. You’ll be the one to do the shopping for us, Captain Tetsuya.”
Tetsuya smiled, feeling the weight of the task settle on his shoulders. “I’ll make sure we find the right vehicles.”
As their jeeps rumbled deeper into the port city, the opulence was so jarring it almost caused whiplash. It was like someone had taken Las Vegas, Dubai, and a botanical garden, thrown them into a blender, and then poured the resulting smoothie onto the Caspian Sea.
Palm trees lined wide boulevards, and even the sewer grates—made of some kind of transparent material—revealed purified rainwater flowing beneath, feeding into public sprinklers. The buildings themselves were architectural marvels, each topped with intricate, vent-like structures that seemed to regulate the internal temperature.
“Lucky bastards,” one merc muttered, his rough Khaganate accent thick. “We built our posts with mud and dung, and they get this? War’s been good to them.”
“They’re smart about it,” another replied from the back of the jeep. “Diplomacy, lip service… it goes a long way in this dying world.”
This was the Emerald League’s doing. Promoters of ecology, trusted by the RE Filter program after the nuclear fallout from the Emp Collapse, they’d leveraged donations and access from NWC members and smaller nations. Ecology was good business, especially when you could use it as a front for more… lucrative ventures.
The shift was palpable. The wide boulevards gave way to narrow, grimy alleys choked with vendors. Lost tech, drugs, even slaves were openly traded. The black market thrummed with a dangerous energy. The team’s hands tightened on their weapons.
Hazel found herself alone on a deserted side street. A man in a black jacket and fedora materialized from the shadows, drawing a pistol and firing a volley of shots into the air. “I’m mafia! I’m sigma!” he yelled, striking a pose. trying to rob hazel, Clearly an amateur.
hazel unimpressed. her hand is holding nara who like going to beat up the hat man.
“hold up. mafioso..im hazel.. from flying dragon”
The man blinked, his bravado instantly evaporating. “w-what?,, how? i thought you all dead..”
hazel then sigh “yeah.. but im not.. just show me the lair”
the man contemplate for awhile then stright up himself “alright.. follow me”
Hazel led the group to a casino-like building, where the guards recognized her and let them pass without question. Inside, the ambiance transformed into one of opulence, a stark contrast to the chaos outside. They ascended to the top floor, where luxury reigned and wealth was flaunted.
There, Hazel approached a chubby old man in a white suit. With a dismissive wave, he sent the women surrounding him away, their expressions a mix of indignation and disappointment.
“I know what you’re after,” Hazel said, cutting to the chase. “I need a loan for the war effort.”
The old man smiled, his laughter echoing in the lavish room. “Ah, I see. I’m willing to lend you the money, but there are conditions.”
“I figured as much,” Hazel replied, crossing her arms. “After the war, you expect a full return with interest.”
“Exactly,” he said smoothly. “But there’s more. You must agree to follow my orders during the war, effectively becoming my pawn.”
Hazel sighed, recognizing the gravity of the situation. “If we lose this war, there won’t be an Emerald League left.”
“True,” he nodded, his expression serious. “But if you win, the Emerald League will survive, and you’ll regain power. A win for you is a win for me.”
“Sounds like you’re not just giving a loan but making a donation as well,” Hazel quipped.
“Precisely,” he replied, eyes glinting. “I’ll provide a loan with fair interest, plus a donation to support your war efforts. It’s a sizeable amount to help you secure better weapons and technology. What do you say?”
Hazel spat in her hand, a gesture of solidarity and determination. “I’m ready for the brotherhood… once more.”
The old man mirrored her action, sealing the deal with a firm handshake. The understanding between them was clear: he would provide the necessary funds to support her cause, and in return, she would follow his lead in the unfolding conflict. The stakes were high, a thrill of anticipation coursing through both of them as they prepared for the challenges ahead.
Nara, standing a short distance away, watched with a furrowed brow as Hazel engaged in a seemingly serious conversation with the chubby old man. Curiosity battled with caution, leaving her rooted in place. The two were completely absorbed in their discussion, oblivious to her presence.
Finally, the deal was struck. Hazel, her attention now focused on the acquisition of a cannon for their technicals, turned to the task at hand. Patrick, ever the stoic scribe, meticulously recorded every transaction, his pen a blur as he kept track of the rapidly growing sum.
As they passed through the bustling slave market, a wave of bitter memories washed over Nara. She recalled her time in the arena, the forced encounters with fellow slaves, each one a desperate struggle for survival. The sight of their beaten bodies, the despair etched on their faces, tugged at her heart. How could anyone inflict such cruelty upon another human being?
Hazel, with a determined look on her face, decided to purchase some of the slaves, intending to use them as workers and engineers. Among her purchases were dolls—lifelike humanoid figures that could replace people for various tasks. Nara felt a chill run down her spine at the sight of these dolls; they were too eerily similar to humans, and the thought of them being reprogrammed for labor felt unsettling. It was an unusual and disquieting scene, one that left her feeling conflicted.
“Patrick, is that…?” he murmured as he noticed some familiar faces among the slaves. They were former comrades from the Red Army, men he had fought alongside in the harsh winter war. Now, they were reduced to this unfortunate state—a bitter reminder that fortune had not smiled upon everyone. The memories of their shared struggles felt bittersweet, a fleeting happiness overshadowed by their current plight.
Once the shopping was complete, the group returned to the parking lot. There, they spotted Yu cradling a small puppy in her arms. Hazel approached, a curious smile on her face. “Who’s the owner of that little guy, Yu?”
With a gentle smile, Yu stroked the puppy’s soft fur. “He’s an orphan. No one has claimed him, so I’m taking care of him for now. Isn’t he just the cutest?”
A small spark of light in this encroaching darkness
Hazel chuckled. “Heh…”
Tetsuya chimed in, “Well, he could become our mascot! Have you named him yet?”
The team shared a laugh at Tetsuya’s suggestion. Yu shook her head, her eyes sparkling with affection for the puppy. “I haven’t thought of a name yet. Any suggestions?”
Hazel raised an eyebrow, glancing at the others. “Hmmm… Any ideas?”
The group fell silent, each member deep in thought. They didn’t want to offend Yu by suggesting a silly name for her adorable new companion. The little puppy followed Yu closely, his big eyes full of innocence and curiosity.
“Come on, people! We’re wasting time,” Hazel finally said, breaking the quiet. “Let’s think about it on the road.”
Nods of agreement followed, and the team decided to table the naming discussion for now. With a shared sense of camaraderie, they headed off, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, the little puppy trailing happily behind them.