The low hum of the Peace-Class All Terran Transport Vehicle (ATTV) vibrated through the squad as it rumbled across the barren landscape. Dust swirled in the wake of the vehicle, the wind howling across the cracked earth. The massive ATTV’s armored plating reflected the harsh light of the alien sun. Inside, the squad huddled in the cramped but sturdy interior, the echoes of their equipment clanging softly against the hull.

  Daniels was leaning back against the wall, flipping through his datapad. Hayes sat across from him, adjusting his helmet with a bit more care than usual. William and Collins were in the back, checking weapons and gear, making sure everything was in working order. Rodriguez sat near the hatch, staring out at the distant horizon, her mind clearly elsewhere.

  “So, we’re really doing this, huh?” Daniels said, glancing up from his pad. “Heading out to meet the locals. I still can’t believe they’re sending us to meet with these tribes.”

  Hayes grinned, the faintest hint of humor in his voice. “Well, someone’s got to do it. And it sure as hell isn’t gonna be the captain. He’s got bigger fish to fry. We’re the ones with boots on the ground. Just think of it as a way to expand our horizons.”

  William snorted from the back. “Great. Meet the locals, make a nice little alliance, and hopefully not get killed in the process. Sounds like the perfect vacation.”

  Collins adjusted his rifle, looking up. “I’m more concerned about what these tribes are gonna want in return. We’re not just handing them weapons and tech for free. We’ve got our orders, but there’s always the chance someone’s gonna want a little extra.”

  Rodriguez finally spoke, her voice low and serious. “And we can’t afford to piss anyone off. Our mission’s to form a bond, not make enemies. If we can’t work with them, we might as well turn back now.”

  Daniels nodded in agreement, glancing at the others. “The captain’s expecting this to be smooth, but we all know it’s never that simple. The tribes are scattered, their allegiances are messy, and the terrain’s hostile as hell. This might be a lot tougher than we think.”

  As the conversation hummed along, a voice crackled through the comms system in the ATTV, the captain’s voice filled with his usual calm authority. “Squad, status report. How are we looking?”

  Rodriguez, who had been listening intently, keyed the comms. “All systems are operational, Captain. We’re a few clicks out from the rendezvous point.”

  The captain’s voice came through, steady and composed. “Good. The tribes you’ll be meeting have been identified by Intel. They’ve shown some resistance to our presence, but it’s nothing we can’t handle. Build rapport, make sure they see the value in an alliance. Your mission is clear.”

  “Understood, sir,” Hayes said, his tone respectful, though the hint of sarcasm was impossible to miss. “Any word on what we can expect from these tribes? Any details on the terrain?”

  There was a brief pause, and then the captain’s voice returned, a bit more strained now. “They’re a mix of groups. Some are more traditional, others have more advanced tech, but all of them are still living in a fractured state. They need unity, and that’s where you come in. We need to offer them something they can’t turn down. As for the terrain, be prepared for rough conditions. You’ll have to navigate through some tricky areas to reach them.”

  Daniels shifted in his seat. “Copy that, sir. We’re ready. Any other directives?”

  “Watch your backs,” the captain said flatly. “I’ve received reports of increased hostilities in the area. There’s a chance we’ll be dealing with some… outside interference. Keep your eyes sharp.”

  With that, the transmission ended, leaving the squad to digest the information. For a moment, the silence between them hung thick in the air. Daniels was the first to speak.

  “So we’re dealing with hostile tribes, rough terrain, and some potential third-party threats,” he said, his voice tinged with cynicism. “What else is new?”

  Hayes chuckled darkly. “Yeah, just another day in the life. But hey, if we make it out of this, we’ll have some new allies. That’s something, right?”

  William, who had been quietly checking his equipment, looked up. “I just want to get this over with. The sooner we finish this mission, the sooner we can head back. I don’t like the idea of being stuck in the middle of nowhere for too long.”

  Collins gave him a knowing glance. “You always say that, but you’re just itching for a fight. I can see it in your eyes.”

  William shot Collins a grin. “Maybe. But I’m not the only one.”

  Rodriguez didn’t look away from the window, but she spoke quietly. “We all know what’s at stake here. The captain’s counting on us. We need to make sure the locals see us as allies, not invaders. There’s too much on the line.”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Daniels nodded, the seriousness of her words settling in. “Right. So, let’s stick to the plan. We get in, meet the tribes, and try to make a connection. Hopefully, they’ll see the benefit in working together. If things get heated, we deal with it. And we get out of there in one piece.”

  The convoy stretched across the rough, arid landscape, the Peace-Class All Terran Transport Vehicle (ATTV) leading the way, its engines a low hum that vibrated the earth beneath them. Behind, the APC followed, carrying the elf and the spook, both essential to the mission at hand. The squad inside the ATTV was focused, their minds still lingering on the conversation they'd just had. The roads were difficult, and tensions were high as they neared the tribe's territory.

  Unbeknownst to them, from the tree line ahead, a pair of glowing eyes watched. The trees were thick, dark shadows against the blazing sunlight, the underbrush rustling with movement. The elves, perched high in the branches, were silent, observing the convoy with confused and cautious expressions. They didn’t recognize the machines, nor the humans who sat inside them. To them, these vehicles were reminiscent of the invaders that had once come to their mainland—a threat, an omen of something far worse.

  The whispers spread among them like wildfire. "They come again," one elf muttered, narrowing their eyes. "They are not like us. Not like the invaders of old, but still... they do not belong here."

  As the convoy rolled forward, unaware, the air suddenly crackled with energy. A wave of magic shot through the trees, followed by a rain of arrows, their tips glowing with enchanted power. The arrows struck the vehicles with sharp, ringing impacts, embedding themselves in the thick armor of the ATTV and APC. Some bounced off, leaving only dents. Others dug deep, leaving burns across the armored plating.

  Inside the ATTV, the squad immediately went on alert. Daniels' hand went to his rifle, his eyes scanning through the viewport as the attack continued.

  “What the hell?” Hayes said, squinting outside. "Did we just get hit with magic?"

  "Hold tight!" Daniels barked, grabbing onto the seat and steadying himself. "We’re under fire! Everyone stay sharp!"

  The barrage of arrows and magic continued, minor burns flickering on the ATTV's surface, but not enough to penetrate. The APC’s armor also took hits, though not enough to halt its progress. The situation was tense, but manageable—for now.

  Then, as the attack began to subside, a familiar voice rang out from the back of the convoy. The elf—the one riding in the APC—suddenly swung open the hatch with practiced precision, stepping out into the fray.

  “Enough!” she called in a tone both commanding and calm. “Stand down! These are not the invaders you remember!”

  The elves, startled by her sudden appearance, froze. The trees fell silent, save for the wind rustling through the branches. The elf standing before them—her presence unmistakable—was a figure they hadn’t expected to see. The air around her hummed with the residual magic of her kin, yet there was something different about her. She was alive—alive when they had all thought her lost.

  "Lady Arannis?" one of the elves called, the voice tinged with disbelief. "You... you live?"

  Arannis, the elf who had been sent with the squad, stood tall, her hair flowing freely, her eyes gleaming with intensity. “I’m alive,” she replied firmly, though her tone softened slightly as she looked around at her people. “The invaders of old are not here today. These are allies, not enemies. These humans, this squad... they’re here to help us.”

  The tribe’s confusion was palpable, and a murmuring wave of whispers passed through the treetops. The elves had been wary of anyone from the mainland for generations, but to see one of their own standing with the humans was both a shock and a sign of hope.

  From the ATTV, Daniels and Hayes exchanged surprised glances, their jaws slightly agape at the sight of Arannis stepping forward so confidently. Hayes leaned over to Daniels, his voice a low whisper laced with surprise and amusement.

  “Arannis? That’s her name?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “That sounds... like it belongs in a damn romance novel. And look at her, too. She’s a looker, no wonder she’s the one they send for this mission.”

  Daniels couldn’t help but chuckle, though he kept his voice low enough to avoid being heard by the elf in question. “Yeah, I get it. Arannis sounds like the kind of name you’d hear in a story about some heroic elven princess.”

  “More like a high-priced bounty hunter,” Hayes muttered with a grin. “Hell, she could probably take down half the enemy forces without breaking a sweat.”

  As Arannis turned to face the squad, her eyes locked briefly with theirs, and there was no mistaking the glimmer of amusement in her gaze. “You two,” she said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “You have an interesting way of discussing me.”

  Daniels cleared his throat, suddenly realizing he’d been caught eavesdropping. "Uh, sorry about that, Arannis. We were just... you know... making sure the mission was going smoothly."

  Collins, leaning out the side of the ATTV to get a better view, raised an eyebrow. "Smoothly? We’re under magical fire, and you’re over here making jokes? Sounds like it’s gonna be an interesting ride, no matter how it goes."

  Arannis’ expression softened, and she turned back to her people. “The invaders are long gone, but their legacy still haunts us. These humans—these allies—are here to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself. Please, lower your weapons. We have much to discuss.”

  The tension in the air began to dissipate as the elves reluctantly lowered their bows, and the whispers quieted to murmurs. They may not have fully understood what was happening, but they respected Arannis, and that was enough for now.

  With the situation defused, the squad let out a collective sigh of relief, each member of the team looking at one another with a mixture of bewilderment and amusement. The mission was far from over, but the first obstacle had been cleared.

  “Well, this is gonna be one hell of a story to tell,” William muttered, shaking his head. "Who would've thought we'd be saving elves from their own people?"

  Rodriguez gave him a small smile. “You think this is the last surprise? I’m guessing there’s plenty more ahead.”