"Mono/Dialogue"

  'Inner thoughts'

  Narration

  [Message/communication apparatus]

  Date: November 1091

  Location: Kazimierz

  POV: Narrator

  [The target had left objective Sanctuary, and the HVT left with an armed convoy. Remember, kill the rest but make sure to get the HVT out alive. Team one, you’re up.] A camp immediately went into overdrive. Vehicles armed with military-grade equipment lined up the exit, with more transports began to pure out of hidden vehicle depot. Shouts and lively instructions filled the air with nervous anticipation or hot-blooded zeal.

  Amidst this flurry of activities, one of the seemingly high-ranking members of the group pulled out a communication device.

  [Copy that Command, we are starting Operation Avanche. We will make the necessary arrangements to ensure the package is safely extracted. Free Company Task Force signing out.]

  [Godspeed, may we meet again in a better world. Our success in opening up a path to a better rest in your effort.]

  Half of the drones patrolling the sky returned to their handler for recharging with the other half making its way to as perimeter control and early warning system. Most are unarmed because Kazimierz, while unbelievably corrupt as long as monetary gain could be concerned, is not going to let that off lightly. It is also much harder to smuggle, Originium weapons were known to have a very hard trace and that will prove detrimental.

  Most could feel their adrenaline racing, with weapons and equipment distributed without issue. It is interesting to note how some of them were dressed the way Cordelia did. It is unknown how they managed to get their hands on the company’s more sophisticated gear. Perhaps bck market, perhaps Scar Market’s more pricy merchandise, or perhaps someone who had infiltrated them.

  No one knows, and no one would care.

  Masked personnel are mounting up their designated transport with more relegated to loading up equipment. They are being grouped into a squad of 10 with 2 caninebeasts to provide support. Each of them carried a sword and a small shield, but that was merely a backup weapon. None among them failed to bring some kind of ranged weapon, and judging by how they’re arranged, perhaps close range would be up to some other units.

  [Command to team two, begin Operation Scythe. Your objective would be to monitor and assess for initiative against Objective Castle. Keep them busy while Operation Avanche is in process.]

  Those tasked with keeping an eye on the unknown cargo vehicles made themselves scarce, in their pce would be their colleague with CBRN-equivalent gear. A few of them could be seen carrying some kind of device and loading it up on a rge vehicle with many antennas. Those were soon fold, and changing what was reminiscent of a mobile array into a moving fortress.

  Armorless Union in the forest is not too far behind, and perhaps this will be their first time stepping inside Wdirosa without returning to base as yet another used codename. A bit of a problem though…

  [Roy, they’re splitting up, what should we do?]

  [Man that’s a pain… split up in two groups of 10, create a telegram backup channel and I want everyone to give me an update on your positioning. Got it?]

  [Yes, sir.]

  [Affirm.]

  [We hear you…]

  [Good, I’ll follow the splinter group heading for the vilge. Ortega, you take the other half.] None of them were thrilled about being split into two teams, but work is work, and they’re professional. -

  -

  -

  A convoy of 5, with one being more noticeably armored and protected, vehicles are cutting across the grassy nd with speed that defied all manner of safety driving. They had left from Wdirosa just a few hours prior, and so far it had been smooth sailing except for one or two wild beasts they had crossed paths.

  The convoy consisted of 4 military-grade All-Terrain Mobility vehicles meant to cross the warzone in Bolivar and Sargon. With high-grade armoring, this car capable of transporting 4 passengers including the driver could shrug off light anti-tank weapons. These also feature an open hatch protected by a turret and immediately linked to Raythean Arts-caster repeater, also known as Autocannon, capable of turning would-be ambusher into pasta sauce.

  The vehicle she is in would be an up-armored SUV with military-grade defensive measures. The tires are made with the toughness of tank tracks turned into wheels, making them unimpeded blockade runners. Further showcasing its safety would be the usage of endo steel structuring with interwoven diamonds. Shrugging off primitive explosives and some cutting-edge anti-vehicle weapons with ease. In other words, the thickness of its protection was second only to dedicated urban combat-oriented Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

  Why would anyone go to such lengths? It would be an understandable act if the present situation was taken into account. Namely, one of the occupants, the VIP so to speak, is allegedly none other than Lina Nyxe.

  Once it was known that the Grey Serpent had adopted a daughter, the media was abuzz with gossip. From those who suddenly cimed to be the Grey Serpent’s lover, paramour, and even husband but none were proven. Strangely enough, no one dared to cim anything happening with the young girl in question.

  There were rumors that Nyx had given a very polite letter to those brazen enough. Unfortunately, her reluctance to eborate and Lina’s ambiguous status backfired spectacurly. Information that could be used to elucidate and expin their retionship is an all-time premium. The test asking price between boards for Paparazzi goes so far as ciming 400.000 LMDs for a single photo.

  Galvanized with such a promise of monetary compensation, the more daring section of the entertainment sphere hatched a bold pn to interview her in person. The only picture known to the public was her wheat blond and streak of silver being her hair, a round face, and wearing a run-of-the-mill country girl dress, these aspects only fueled the rumor mill. Many attempts were made by news agencies to somehow get her into the spotlight, but the girl proved trickier to find.

  They tried to make correspondence with an Orphanage director there, a woman with silvery hair, nun habit, and veil on her face. Even with the promise of the monetary gain, and fame that will sustain the orphanage further, the director curtly dismissed their query.

  Thus they hired many caravans to conduct legitimate dealing and have them conduct business with Wdirosa. The aim was to make the people comfortable, and once the real news team arrived, they would immediately go on air. It will be very hard to deny them the right to broadcast without marring the vilge’s reputation. With such a foolproof pn, they were confident that everything would go as pnned.

  Very brave.

  Convoys with legitimate intentions for trade go by unnoticed and welcomed, but the schemers? Well, they were suddenly assailed with many difficulties. It started off innocent with ft tires or missing provisions which were chalked off as mishaps. Then it escated into many, many, incidents ranging from a destroyed bridge, dividing the convoy in half, and getting caught in the middle of migration turned into a stampede.

  Suffice to say, the warning was very clear for most of them. Those who still value their life began turning back, but those who don’t press on. Let’s just say, they were swallowed by a huge ‘catastrophe.’

  That was then, but what about now? Lina’s departure had been kept secret but it won’t hold. Walls have ears, and winds are your greatest enemy in Kazimierz, a nation that made do with never stopping to find the best way to make money. Will it go well? If one were to take Nyx’s luck into account, a peaceful conclusion is debatable.

  Cavalier 1, the overall commander of the convoy was jerked awake from this daydreaming when an update entered his communication link.

  [We got unknown contact from the east.] One of the lookouts informed the convoy. All gun turrets immediately face front, left, right, and rear before keeping the center vehicle in check. Drones were sent to make a fly-by and report back. In the badnds, your safety would be your responsibility.

  With a size no bigger than a basketball, pced high up the altitude, and equipped with sensor jamming, the drones are expected to make either a lengthy recon or fly-by without much problem.

  A pair of drones took to the skies, equipped with a repeater crossbow and high-resolution cameras made their way to the unknown. Their twin rotors buzz softly, as expected of military-grade ware, and they reach their destination in no time with nimble aerial maneuvers. The drones stalked from high above and began identifying the unknown force.

  Audiovisual feed was transmitted back to the convoy to show an opposing convoy armed to the teeth. All the markings to signify who they belonged to had been scrubbed, but if one were to look at the origin, it suspiciously looked like an Ursine design.

  ‘What the fuck? Is this part of the pn? I don’t remember we got Ursus’ assets in our storage.’ Cavalier 1 was befuddled seeing the unknown convoy.

  [Cavalier 1 actual, Cavalier 2 actual here, please advise, over.] The Cordelian PMC in charge of long-range scouting and parameter asked for instruction from the overall CO. He seemed noticeably anxious, but since the convoy was 10 kilometers away, it gave him a bit of assurance in the event of the most obvious ambush in the world.

  [Copy that Cavalier 2 actual, I know what you’re thinking, but we are not sure if they’re hostile. So we will make a break for route 3, so keep me posted with those drones. How copy?] Naturally, his CO had seen his drone feed as well, it puzzled him to no end. If they are trying to ambush a civilian convoy, 10 kilometers are

  [Loud and clear, we will keep an eye on them.]

  “What’s wrong?” Cavalier 1 was asked by his teammate who is on the wheels. All of them are armed with a heavier set of equipment compared to units relegated to keep Wdirosa safe. You could say that these people are deep enough to know the company’s real top dog.

  “An ostensibly Ursine Convoy is heading our way. It is so btant and stupid I genuinely hoped it was an acid trip.” He half-scoffed while prattling on about the situation they found themselves in. This is the first time some idiots have tried to nab a Cordelian convoy, with predictable results.

  “Our Boss has so many enemies huh?” The driver coolly mused aloud, his tone indicates there is barely any care about what he just said.

  “Old news, and I give a shit about it as much as I did on my exes. We die if we must, but I sure as hell will ensure the HVT is delivered to the meeting point as expected.”

  “Ain’t that right brother? We won’t be here without her. If dying or dead meant repaying the debts, then so be it. On other news, my sister got married to Chief Jan after all, that was more than I could hope for.”

  “Yep, but enough about that… We got ammo stocked up right?”

  “Enough to y a siege.”

  “Heh, it was very surprising… How the hell did she conceal such a rge operation from K.G.C.C.? Are they blind now?”

  “It was because of something she called… what was it again…? Um… thermal netting and satlink coverage? No idea what the hell was the second one, but yeah…”

  “She is full of surprises.” Cavalier 1 leaned back on his seat, eyes glued to the drone feed and from the looks of it, the unknown convoy was slowing down. He scrunched his brows seeing such an unusual sight.

  “What made you so upset?” Even through the armored helm’s visor, his driver buddy could see his expression.

  “They’re slowing down… and keeping their distance? The hell? Did we have another unit out there? Is this her idea of preparing contingencies on top of contingencies?”

  “Wait, she is pulling that move again?”

  “Who the fuck knows man? She came and did whatever pleased her… She is probably the only woman on Terra who could smuggle artillery batteries, grease some palms here and there, and continue with her side gig. It gives me goosebumps thinking about what else she’s capable of.”

  “I don’t know, maybe she is an alien that came from another dimension?”

  “Yeah, sure… I don’t recall allowing you to drink before we go mobile.”

  “She brought with her so much out-of-the-box ideas they’re not even funny. She taught those stupid hardheaded nobles about modern warfare, and she could whisper sweet nothings to those greedy merchants’ ears, and have cozy retions with business.”

  “Bah, she got herself axed after that announcement.”

  “Sure, but I don’t remember anyone but ‘us’ actually coming forward to cut ties… what would you call that if not supernatural or incomprehensible?”

  “When did you become a conspiracy theorist?” He was about to reply when a Cavalier 3 gave them an update.

  [Break! Break! Break! We got another unknown from the west!] Cavalier 1 Actual immediately changes his camera feed to the other side. He was fbbergasted seeing 15 vehicles with 3 of them being a squad of IFVs. The way they’re pointing their weapon directly at their position doesn’t help.

  [Shit, all callsigns adopt defensive formation, we will take route 4, and jump the gun on anyone trying to stall us. How copy?!]

  [Cav 2 Copy that, shifting formation!] He gnced through the one-sided transparent fiment how a gunner of Cavalier 2 was reorienting their Repeating Arts Caster to the east. The autocannon crackled with energy that is reminiscent of what Nyx would call a rail gun gathering magnetic mass. It is not a rail-gun, and not as fast, but it is a very intimidating view for anyone stupid enough to try.

  [Cav 3 on it, we’ll spull up the Arts Casters!] Cavalier 3 did the same and shifted to the left side of the convoy, using its vehicle to shield the primary cargo from view. Its gunner could be seen calmly activating their weapon and extra shielding colloquially named a steel umbrel. Nyx reasoned that it is necessary to avoid indirect fire from mortars or suicide drones.

  [Cav 4 shifting to rearguard position.] Cavalier 4 updated their status with a grim determination. Rearguard as its name implies, will be the first to take the brunt of pursuing force with a high rate of mortality.

  Cavalier 1 then switched communication links to contact the vehicle responsible for the very reason this convoy was made.

  [Charioteer, come in Charioteer!]

  [This is Charioteer, we are seeing formation shifting times, and again, we got company huh?]

  [Unknown at this time, but we must be prepared to shift to pn B if things go south. Try to ensure that the cargo reaches Kawalerielki, whatever the cost. We will dig our grave if need be, but make sure to not fail her! How copy!?]

  […Copy that, thanks for the update. May fortune be with you, Charioteer out.]

  -

  -

  -

  Back in Wdirosa,

  Jan could not help the nagging feeling that something was going wrong. He was doing his usual work in the town hall before suddenly a foreboding chill made him unable to concentrate. The report from Sir Liam is still fresh in his mind, and surely, Ursus would not be so stupid to begin hostility prematurely.

  He knows for a fact that the vilge is seen as an eyesore by Ursus’ military, a bck stain that could not be satisfied with anything less but their annihition. He had also noticed a shift coming from his neighboring vilges. They are, supposedly and nominally, under the control of either Adeptus or K.G.C.C. based on how much effort each faction had expended in rebuilding.

  Wdirosa is more fortunate to be freed from their meddling. It will not be surprising that, while the vilges themselves would be left oblivious to any politicking, their factions won’t. He theorized that the only reason his vilge was left alone was because of Nyx’s influence. The recent shake-up opened up a path for cndestine hostility.

  Not wanting to lose any potential initiative, he stands up from his seat and heads towards the communication room adjacent to his. His secretary, and wife, raised her brows.

  “What’s the matter, dear?”

  “I’m not sure, Milosc (Love), but I need to ascertain something first.”

  “I see… I’ll take care of the leftover paperwork, so just focus on what is pguing your mind.” Jan smiled at his wife, he walked over and kissed her on her forehead.

  “Thank you, dear, and I’m sorry.”

  “No need! I’m used to staring at papers now, so go off now~!”

  “Yes, yes…” He chuckled before leaving the room. Once outside, his jovial mood vanished and he headed for the communication room. Along the way, he meets several Cordelian employees, whom he has suspicions are the Vilge’s benefactor’s men and his fellow vilgers. It was surreal really, and while Sarkaz is still rare, infected could feel right at home. They are given jobs, clothed decently, and paid handsomely if they are skilled.

  He received training on how to treat infected having Originium seizures and understanding how infection could spread. He never held any prejudice about them, but he won’t lie that the fear of infection is still prevalent. After being told that the chance of infection from mere contact is as low as getting actual brain cancer, he let out a soft sigh of relief.

  The infected district might have been modeled after the Leithanien infected quarter, but it is not a ghetto. Anyone could leave and stay as they please, Nyx and Jan never argued if they wanna build their house somewhere else too. It is just that rather than caging them, Nyx offers them incentives of better and closer reach to a clinic, weekly extra medication, and a chance to be employed by Cordelia after the negotiation she had undertaken.

  Working with Cordelia is a dream come true for most people. Sarkaz's racism while unfortunately still existing within the company, had become less pronounced as the years went by. He had met the company head, Mr. Ulric Adenaver and he was an odd fellow. Always has his face hidden and is known to be butting heads repeatedly with Nyx over contract canceltions. Otherwise, he is an affable guy who never shies away from employing useful people.

  Those are the reasons why this foreboding feeling could be the forewarning of something that would shatter their retive peace. Entering his destination, he was greeted by 3 communication officers who were on duty.

  “Mr. Jan? Is there a problem, sir?”

  “I’m not sure, Ian… but could you humor me and call in the patrols?” The officers exchanged questioning gnces before shrugging it off. 2 of them immediately returned to their duty while A Liberi named Ian motioned him to come closer with his head.

  [All perimeter patrols, give me sitrep, over.] The both of them waited for a response. Silence would be their answer. He slowly straightened up his posture, and Jan’s palms were intertwined envisioning the worst possible scenario.

  [Perimeters patrols, do you copy, over?] He tried again, and louder this time. Ian began to feel his back sweating and his heart palpitating rapidly. His distressed reaction attracted the attention of the other 2, and they began their check unprompted.

  [Perimeter Patrol 7, this is Tower 1, check-in, over?] Seeing it unfold, the foreboding feelings only grow.

  [Perimeter 3, this is Tower 2! Come in! I repeat come in!] Weighing his options, Jan pushed the alert button, and a loud warning siren could be heard resounding to the four corners of the vilge. The tranquil evening was soon thrown into chaos. Parents began searching for their children while the militias were mustering out of their barracks. Cordelian PMCs mounted up their vehicle and began outbound security measures to pick-up any stragglers left outside of the defensive perimeter.

  “Sir, what are you doing?!”

  “No time! This is highly unusual and Nyx would never made such a boneheaded mistake! Gather the militias and put them on high alert! The vilge safety and-” Explosion rocked the outskirt of the vilge, followed by more detonations which created more plumes of smoke. The four people inside the communication room instinctively dove on the ground, but no one among them let go of any communication device.

  Horrible news began to cascade through many busy channels.

  “Someone had destroyed the outer sentry! Broadcast to the vilgers to evacuate to the shelters!”

  “We got a report that communication towers 1 through 5 had gone offline!”

  “How did that happen?!”

  “Preliminary reports are ambiguous, but the only thing to overwhelm so quickly would be hacking or deliberate Originium pulse overload!”

  “Internal security office had announced that jamming had enveloped our vilge, they could not contact either the convoy or farther outbound patrols!”

  “Silvernces are mustering to protect the vilge! They had informed through a backup internal line that they would not be able to connect with their Headquarters! We’re on our own!”

  “Sir! Thermal scanner shows multiple heat signatures are crossing pass through a restricted boundary!”

  Jan takes out a nearby binocur to see where he is directed to. There would be lines upon lines of armed people closing in the vilge, all of them moved rather weirdly and uncoordinated, almost like shambling. The militias began a counterfire of their own, using infantry mortars and ballistas. Their attacks were accurate, but much to their horror, most of them kept on moving without caring.

  He could not see any determining symbol to showcase who or what they were. It could be Ursus, it could be someone else, but the fact that someone managed to circumvent their defense perimeter is undeniable.

  “So… it happens huh? Nyx, curse you and your foresight.” Jan smiled bitterly seeing the worst possibility unfolding in front of his eyes.

  Ordered chaos enveloped the vilge, and more explosions were heard. This time coming close to the vilge. Dirt and earth were unched high up, and the outying patrol hunkered down from indirect fire aimed towards them.

  When all seems lost, a rge antennae rose up from the ground, a backup courtesy of a certain someone. This one is more robust, and in fact, relegated with automatic drones.

  The newest radar scan shows several mortar rounds heading right toward the pza, market, and potential residential area. Numbering in dozens if not hundreds of highly explosive and infectious dirty bombs, damage, and casualties seems all but assured.

  Unfortunately for the rude troublemakers, Nyx is nothing if not overprotective.

  With danger detected and approaching the settlement at terminal velocity, automated defensive grids unfolded off the ground. Many Auto-casters, or AA guns, began scanning the sky for projectiles, and their sets of gun barrels looted from repurposed guardian guns roared to life.

  Not long afterward, the guns peppered the sky with primitive proximity fuses and bzing flowers of bck erupted above the vilge. Drones began enveloping the panicking vilgers like a mobile umbrel to shield them from shrapnel and broken pieces of Originium.

  They kept on fighting valiantly, but the sheer numbers of these unknown assaints inched closer to their lines. If it were a time of war, the defenders could have added ndmines and nets to slow the invaders, but what they have are these walls and trenches against hundreds if not thousands of creatures incapable of recognizing pain.

  “It comes to this huh? Well, all of you, maintain the communication channel.” He calmly exited the communication room without replying back at their salutes. On the way, he met terrified vilgers being led by his wife to head to the bunker.

  “Reina!” His wife snapped her gaze at him. Her terrified expression hurts him more than anything. She wasn’t a local, and, understandably, she was just trying her best to appear strong amidst the confusion.

  “Jan! What happened?!” He joined his wife and started coordinating the influx of people seeking refuge to head deeper into the basement. It has been reinforced with armored walls used on Nomadic Cities and should provide enough protection until reinforcement arrives… hopefully…

  “We are under attack.” A singur admittance that shocked those who heard him to the core. Unfortunately, they have no time to waste and breeze past the couple.

  “By who?!”

  “I’m not sure, but I’m sure no way in hell could a bandit force capable of doing so much, so quickly.”

  “T-Then… c-c-could it be Ursus?” Her terror grew, and Jan could only answer inconclusively.

  “It could be Ursus or it could be mercenaries under the employment of unknown people! I had seen a group of shambling invaders heading towards our general direction. They braved arrows, bolts, and even Originium lead without care!”

  “What should we do?!”

  “For now, the people need to be secured beneath the growing battlefield on the surface. Also, we must put our trust in our militias, and the Silvernces. Remember, Nyx should always have contingencies.” When most of the vilgers had been secured beneath the bunker, Reina’s expression hardened.

  “You think the pn will work?”

  “This is the only way for Wdirosa to survive and be free from K.G.C.C.’s meddling. I hope Nyx and Cordelia had truly hashed out the details for their cooperation.”

  [END OF CHAPTER]

  Author’s Note:

  Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who had a splitting headache but is fine now.

  Hoho what’s this? More influx of brave folks coming out of the woodwork just because Nyx got jailed? Also, pn? What pn? Will it work? We will see,

  Update numero tres and the st one this month.

  Ciao