“Good afternoon, my fellow listeners, today we are covering the obvious. The newcomers from another world. I do have to grip for a moment, absolutely nothing else in the world seems to matter since the President's announcement. You can commit murder, a politician can have another sex scandal, or another corporate data hack with millions of our information stolen (which did happen last week and I am the only one who reported it). It seems like every scandal or crime got a free pass this month because everyone is focused on this one thing. First Contact.

  Before I start, I want to address the criticism from my last podcast. I do support the White House on this in deploying troops to Alagore. I mean, there is no universe where the government wouldn’t have done that. So many of you called me a sellout or paid by the government, I voted for the other guy. As of now, I support our military operation on this new world. I consider it the second Columbus moment in history.

  For those who think we should not intervene, look at these barbarians. You have these other humans…, homo erectus screaming about the death of humanity. Another one attacked his lawyer and nearly ripped his arm off. The rest, look at the war crime charges that each one proudly boasts over the Internet. They didn’t just kill our troops in combat; many of them were executed in cold blood. During the siege, they tried to round up women and children as payment, according to the Secretary of State, torture, rape, murder, and other things. I don’t know if I am allowed to say in public podcasting. No wonder they went extinct. I want each one brought up on

  The other races, I think this Orc belongs to the Unity went off nonstop about how their Unity is going to enslave us all. I have not heard this nonsense since I lived in Maoist China, and that school teacher after moving here. My point is, if this small example shows how crazy these people are, someone has to stop them. As long as the native people want us there, I am 100% okay with deploying the military and blow-up these genocides.

  It still blows my mind that we have the great discovery in human history, second only to sliced bread, and yet, people want to run away because we might get a bloody nose. I don’t want to colonize this moon, but I think we should be a part of it. Create a safe zone so we can do what we want. I do not want to co-exist with these aliens that want to murder us. We did not invade them; they asked for our help. The benefits of their technology and resources outweigh any price, especially meeting an alien culture.” - Daily Carton Updates/Podcast

  May 13th, 2069 (Military Calendar)

  Hastsano Gap, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie

  Murbol Mountain Range, Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

  *****

  Captain Ryder sat in the passenger seat, waiting as the dockmaster finished explaining the parachute concept to their Hispana allies. Outside the aircraft, this was the Legionaries’ first time flying in anything other than on the back of a wyvern. They were going through the essentials one final time before the drop.

  “I do not know how you do it, Staff Sergeant,” Ryder said.

  Kurt Forest laughed. “It is like getting stabbed by a knife, isn’t it?”

  Ryder stared at his Staff Sergeant. His silence was all that was needed to convey his emotion, abandoning his daughter on Earth with his House staff and the General. During this first trip to Earth, their mini vacation ruined.

  “I understand,” Forest continued. “I will tell you this, Boss. It never gets easier. You just hope that someday, they will forgive you.”

  The Comanche officer didn’t need to respond, as he already understood. He always thought that he did it on an academic level, but it became apparent that he never did. The Captain reached into his battlesuit and pulled out his cross necklace before kissing it. Wishing for a successful and speedy mission and he could return to Earth to finish their trip together.

  Once he was done, the Captain noted the concern in Flavius-Elpidius Antius. The Legionary command didn’t show much fear—it wasn’t their way. But Ryder had spent enough time with the man to see through the stoicism.

  "Enjoying your first helicopter ride?" Ryder asked.

  "I prefer to fly on a wyvern," Antius replied flatly.

  Ryder chuckled, shaking his head. "Been there, done that. I prefer staying in the metal coffin."

  "You rode a beast?" Antius asked, brows rising. "Wait, I remember now—when the Knighthood of Tornlado captured you."

  "Yeah. My back never hurt more after that ride."

  As the dockmaster wrapped up his tutorial, Ryder turned to face the two teams preparing to jump. A few days ago, U.S. recon units had made contact with X Legion scouts. Thanks to Horatius’ diplomatic bridge to the Imperium, limited coordination was possible—but fear of Unity interception kept critical details like troop deployments out of shared channels.

  This meeting had come earlier than anticipated. Phantom teams were deployed to investigate, and from what Ryder understood, their mission was a success. The Americans had little choice but to intervene—either engage now or risk losing a vital ally. However, Minutemen Phantom Recon teams confirmed that Unity forces had already arrived to prevent any alliance between the two human nations.

  Enemy anti-air batteries blanketed the skies, prompting the Air Force to send a QB-117 Nighthawk II UAV to clear a path, followed by a 101st Brigade was to follow with a full air assault brigade. To the brass shock, the stealth drone was sniped from the air as it neared its target by accurate rallustum fire.

  Though this world possessed rudimentary radar—called elecaves—it was thought far too primitive to detect American stealth tech. Either the enemy’s radar was more advanced than assumed, or a different detection method was in play: the Scope, a visual detection system powered by an Antikythera mechanism. The only intel the Americans had came from Natilite and Horatius.

  As a result, the drop zone had to be secured the hard way. The Scope had to be destroyed to enable air support and the arrival of the main force—and to save X Legion.

  With the briefing over, Comanche and Horatius stood and formed into two lines, each soldier checking their gear.

  "You people are joking, right?" Rosa said, glancing at the open exit.

  "Joking about what?" Wallace asked. "Jumping out of a perfectly functional aircraft?"

  "Or trusting your life to a piece of fabric?" Barrios added.

  "Knock it off," Barrett barked. "We’re jumping in sixty seconds. Follow the instructions, and you’ll be fine."

  "I do not know if I can do this," Rosa muttered.

  "Maybe you should have stayed home," Rutilus said dryly.

  "Do you not understand gravity?" Vestalis snapped.

  "Never heard of it," Barrios said with a shrug.

  "Sounds like scientific gobbledygook," Wallace chimed in.

  "I will care when I am dead," Rutilus quipped, grinning at the Twins. The three fist-bumped in unison.

  Vestalis rolled her eyes and turned to the Comanche. "Your people have flying machines. Surely you understand gravity. Right?"

  "Ben," Wallace said, turning. "Who was that superhero with the cape?"

  "Superman?" Ford offered.

  "Yeah, him," Barrios said. "We’ve got people in tight spandex flying around all the time."

  "I dated one once," Wallace added. "Island girl. Total wonder."

  "I hate you all," Vestalis groaned.

  "I just don’t want to go splat," Rosa mumbled.

  Forest raised his robotic hand, gesturing sharply for silence. The Luperca in the corner—an eight-foot-tall, armored wolfman—chuckled at the banter. The Staff Sergeant then reaffirmed the physics behind parachuting—and how the chute design made survival nearly guaranteed.

  "See?" Rutilus said. "It is safe."

  The Kitsune turned to him, pointing at the open ramp. "You go first, then."

  Rutilus stepped toward the ramp, peering out with wide eyes and obvious hesitation.

  Ryder turned to Antius and saw the embarrassment flicker in the Capitaneus’ face. He didn’t blame them. Had time allowed, the Palatini Legionaries would’ve been trained. The U.S. had been parachuting since World War II, but for this world’s non-flying humanoids, the concept was brand new.

  "Horatius," Antius began, “we are bravely formed up and—”

  Everyone froze as the green light came on.

  Without orders, Primipilus Centurion Alfredus Canina pushed past both teams to the cargo bay’s edge and leapt without hesitation.

  "He…" Risa blinked. "Disappeared."

  "Now you are not the first," Rutilus said smugly.

  "Neither were you," Rosa shot back.

  "I’ll give it to him," Ryder said. "He’s got guts."

  "That’s why he bears the IX Brand," Antius replied proudly.

  One by one, the two teams jumped from the Puuku VTOL, chutes opening as they descended. Other Minutemen teams could be seen in the distance: Viking to secure the LZ, Samurai to recover the crash site, Ghost to eliminate the AA turrets.

  Within minutes, both Comanche and Horatius were on the ground. Most had landed close together. Centurion Canina stood in the middle like a statue, waiting silently as the others gathered. Once rallied, they advanced into the forest.

  The sound of gunfire echoed nearby.

  "That sounds close," Barrett said.

  "We need to move," King added.

  Rushing through the dense foliage, Ryder’s HUD pinged a Phantom-2 IFF signal. The elite two-man hunter team was engaged—and not alone. Four unidentified were with them, all pinned by an unknown enemy.

  Ryder signaled Antius to flank while Comanche reinforced from the rear.

  "Phantom-2, this is Comanche-Lead."

  "Comanche-Lead, Phantom-2 is pinned down."

  "Watch your fire—we're at your six. Additional friendlies northwest."

  "Roger. We have unknown friendlies as well—check your fire."

  Comanche emerged from the brush into a muddy pond. Phantom-2 and three unknowns in mottled green-and-brown cloaks huddled behind a rotten log.

  One of the cloaked Lats struck an explosive pebble—magical munitions used by local scouts. A red gel sprayed across him, and he dropped screaming in pain. Ryder ordered Natilite and Forest to provide cover while the rest surged forward.

  The enemy—Orcs—pressed the attack but were quickly stalled by the fresh reinforcements. Wallace set his LMG in the mud, firing in bursts. Gonzales dragged the wounded Lat to safety and began treatment. Fraeya conjured ice daggers and flung them at flanking Orcs. Ford fired his underslung grenade launcher, taking out a Talos construct.

  Just as the enemy began regrouping, their commander was sniped by a flechette. Then Horatius slammed into their flank, catching the Orcs off guard.

  Those surrounding Phantom-2 were now caught in a deadly pincer. Some tried to counter the Legionaries, but were cut down in the Minutemen’s crossfire. Their leader tried to rally, but momentum had shifted. The survivors broke and fled—those who didn’t were slain.

  With the battle over, Horatius soldiers left cover to inspect the bodies. Barrett, Ford, and Barrios moved forward to police for intel or salvage.

  Ryder approached Phantom-2. His HUD marked the lead as Sergeant Arguello. "Who are your friends?"

  “No idea,” Arguello said. "We were headed to the rally point when we got ambushed."

  "They are not unknown!" Antius said, stepping forward.

  Ryder saw Derion and Rutilus following their Capitaneus, carrying a wounded Orc. These Orcs wore no magitech armor or advanced weapons—tribal, scrap-forged gear, a far cry from Unity’s elite troops.

  They dropped the Orc in the center. The Centurion leveled his sword at the prisoner’s throat.

  "You were attacked by the Worathig Confederacy," Antius declared. "Their clans hold these lands."

  "We occupy nothing, Lat," the Orc spat. "These lands are ours. You steal them."

  "We stole nothing," Antius snapped. "Why did you attack? You challenge the Legion?"

  "We will kill you all!" the Orc roared. "Unity will reward us. We will reclaim the pride you robbed from us."

  "You say we robbed your greatness," Antius growled. "But it is the Altaerrie—our kin—who are your takers. You'll see how far we can go."

  Areani scouts and Phantom soldiers hauled the prisoner and wounded scout away toward LZ X-Ray. The remaining two approached Ryder and Antius.

  "Captain," Arguello said. "This is Caius—Areani, X Legion."

  "Areani?" Ryder asked.

  "Scouts," Antius answered. "They move ahead of the Legion. Clear paths, destabilize enemies, make contact with allies—like now."

  “Corniculary Caius, of the X Legion Areani. Our mandate was to locate enemy entrenchments—or, if unopposed, reach the Altaerrie. Truthfully, we didn’t expect you on this peninsula.”

  "Looks like you got both," Ryder said.

  "How far is the Legion?" Antius asked.

  "Seven miles east. Beyond a half-cratered hill. I’ll guide you."

  "Not our mission," Ryder said. "To link our forces, we need that Unity Scope destroyed first."

  "I don't see why that's priority," Caius said. "Our Wyvern Riders are still behind."

  "I’ll explain later," Antius interjected. "For now, listen to the Altaerrie. They need that Scope gone—so the rest can arrive."

  *****

  Seeing some members of both teams huddling around their devices, Natilite watched as the men worked their computer devices. Forest and Rutilus stared at their respective screens while Higgins controlled their drone. Ryder hovered over his Staff Sergeant, much to the man's annoyance.

  When Forest requested that his Captain provide space, she saw Ryder become embarrassed and step back. The sight made her chuckle.

  Their Areani guide escorted Comanche and Horatius to Unity’s scope—a tracking device that follows the movements of aircraft supported by advance, and elecaves—a primitive detection system like Altaerrie radar, occupying a small hill peninsula station with fortifications around the high ground.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  With a full-scale assault ruled out, the two teams deployed their recon constructs to seek an alternative plan. Comanche deployed their V-BAT—a small, rounded, box-sized drone—hiding it within the upper tree line. Horatius deployed their version of a drone called a seeker—a rapid wing like an insect attached to a vision orb ball and a power supply.

  "Boss," Forest said.

  "They are bunkered down," Higgins added.

  "Perfect spot to occupy," King said. "I am just amazed they got up there."

  "Does your military not utilize elevation?" Antius asked.

  "He meant," Ryder explained, "getting that much hardware would require an airlift or clearing a path."

  Rutilus chuckled, staring at Comanche. "That was why those scopes and elecaves are attached to walkers. They can climb up that slope with ease and station themselves anywhere."

  "I would prefer armor over mobility," Barrios said.

  "Not today," Ryder said. "Those walkers will disappear into the mountains before we could break through."

  "Can you not fire one of your missiles?" Natilite asked. "I saw you do that to the Aristocracy supply lines during the siege."

  "We normally would fire a hypersonic or cruise missile in this situation," Forest said. "We have no connection to DEFNET."

  "We need the 101st to secure the landing zone so they can safely deploy a Coeus or Epimetheus," King said.

  "And they cannot do that until we clear these religious Marxists from the nest," Forest added.

  "I never thought I would hear that combination," Higgins said.

  "That's probably the most alien thing I've seen on this little rock," Forest muttered.

  Kirath, Horatius Neko scout and marksman, glanced toward them from his tree. "You people are strange," he said.

  Forest looked toward the feline. "Thank you." He then fist-bumped King.

  "Knock it off, you all," Natilite said. "Now, I am still confused. We did this during the northern assault against the Unity portal."

  "We had a Coeus balloon overhead providing localized networking," Ryder explained. "They are high in the clouds."

  "Normally," Higgins said, "we would have satellites or drones such as a Coeus or Epimetheus to provide GPS, Oracle, or access to DEFNET."

  "I see. That is what you mean by storing information inside your clouds?"

  "...No. I’ll explain later."

  Natilite placed her hand on her helmet in frustration. "Now I understand how you, Altaerrie, feel. Network, satellite, GPS. All terms I struggle with grasping."

  "It is complex," Antius said. "But I understand. If you have your seekers overhead, you could communicate across a greater range. The issue is the scope will detect that equipment before it can be used."

  "Let alone," Rutilus said, "they know we are coming."

  "And our job is to destroy them," Ryder said. "And yet, we need those assists to complete the mission."

  The Capitaneus leaned into Rutilus’s portable crystal screen, ordering the Lat controller to move the seeker to a better position. The transmission had a liquidish quality from the crystal screen, which didn’t have the high resolution of the American laptop monitor but still provided a decent image.

  "Have you guys ever considered putting an explosive device on the Bat?" Ford proposed.

  "That will not work," Antius responded. "They have an amplifier and are on alert. They will destroy it before it gets close."

  "Your overuse of explosive seekers has educated the enemy to be prepared for them," Canina explained. "There is a reason we only use such a tactic in ambushes or irregular combat."

  "It was why amplifiers were invented," Rutilus added. "Long ago, armed seekers were common. A mage could destroy a few, but they have limits. Our forces needed to develop the means to destroy these weapons—or in your case, drones—in mass."

  Antius glanced toward the Americans manning their positions. “They fight with the same stubborn resolve as my fellow Legionaries. It is... admirable.”

  The Horatius commander leaned into his screen before waving the Comanche leader over. "Captain Ryder, when we attack, those walkers will pass this ledge. If we station a few troops, we could easily destroy them."

  "That is rough terrain. It will take hours to climb that."

  Natilite glanced at the screen, seeing what the Capitaneus saw. She then looked toward the Unity-occupied peninsula and realized Lat's plan. "You are thinking like you are on Altaerrie, Matt. We are on Alagore. I can fly around and flank."

  "Not just you, Templar," Antius said. "You would be overwhelmed. Derion could easily climb those cliffs, and Kirath is light enough for you to carry."

  Ryder glanced toward the Lat commander before seeing the other Legionaries. Clearly, the Altaerrie man had allowed his people’s single-species world bias to temporarily blind his judgment. Seeing that a Valkyrie and beast humanoids could flank more easily than a Sapien or Lat, he agreed to the plan, stating that he hadn’t considered the beast humanoids' abilities.

  After visiting Earth, Natilite could see why Ryder’s default wasn’t to consider the Neko and Luperca. In a single-species world, the concept of having a wolf race climbing a cliff or a feline using their flexibility or lightness as a tactic that an average human couldn’t do simply never factored in. At least she was pleased that her leader was willing to listen to others compared to other Altaerrie she had encountered.

  It didn’t take long for the two teams to get into position. They fanned out as much as possible to create as broad a firefight as possible. The hope was to trick the Unity defenders into thinking they were being engaged by a larger force. The Valkyrie, Luperca, and Neko snuck through the left as it had the most protection.

  In near synchronization, an explosion from a coil-less rifle impacted near a ballista, followed by intense rifle and coil fire. The enemy returned fire, blindly attacking the foliage as Comanche and Horatius remained hidden.

  "They did it," Derion said. "I can smell the blood."

  "You can smell blood now?" Kirath asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "Just yours. You reek of fear," Derion said with a smirk.

  "Impossible!" Kirath responded. "I am the cleanest Legionnaire in the Palatini."

  "Mother…," Natilite mumbled. "You two are as bad as Comanche."

  The Luperca chuckled as he leaped through the forest. The more agile one of Horatius, the Neko, jumped from tree branches or boulders, bypassing the natural obstacles throughout the terrain. For the Valkyrie, she flew through, easily keeping pace with the beast races.

  "Templar," Kirath said. "You were at Altaerrie before this mission? Are the Altaerrie as impressive at first glance or an empty society?"

  Natilite wanted to respond enthusiastically but couldn’t. She recalled how Fraeya got giggly when the subject appeared. Even as a war prisoner, she was temporarily excited about the wood elf. While the Valkyrie was impressed by how different the culture Altaerrie was, including how integrated their technology dominated their civilization, she was not impressed by their society.

  All she could think about were the riots and her minimal trip. Some of her wondered if she was biased with her adventures as a Templar; she couldn’t understand the short-lived lifestyle anymore. Outside of political drama within a town or city, her Templar stature typically wasn’t a problem. For Earth, it never dawned on her how terrified those Humans were of Alagore.

  "I am still processing," Natilite said. "It is hard to explain what a civilization without magic looks like. I have to say, though, that it will take time for them to get used to us."

  "Used to?" Derion asked. "I was under the impression that they were Lat-kind. The desire to be on top was why my people respected them."

  "I have heard rumors from the Americans that they were suffering a civil war," Kirath said.

  "I know it is hard to understand," Natilite said. "They have never had to think about competing with another species before. We always have. It is something they need to learn. For the [Civil War], that is overblown. I saw riots, but nothing on the scale of a war."

  When the three reached the base of the cliff, Derion turned to the Templar, looking down from his towering height. "Enough speaking like a Yalate. Are the Altaerrie worthy allies?"

  "That is what I have been wondering," Kirath commented. "Do not misunderstand; their Legions are powerful. We wish to know if we trust the people—if they are this fragile."

  Natilite placed her hands on her hips, staring at the two Legionaries, struggling to respond confidently. All she could think about was seeing the riots, being put into prison for saving a shop, or the fear of the government officials if she or Fraeya went into public.

  She glanced up toward the sky and saw Tekali hovering above. The moon of love and connection—Virmina—orbiting. That was when she remembered watching the rockets going into the heavens and the unknown wonders that awaited. Not because she was trying to imagine what colonies the Altaerrie might have in other worlds but because of the conversations about the cosmos. That everything that the Altaerrie pursued was based on faith. The answer comes at the end, not in the beginning.

  "This is a test," Natilite said. "If there is one thing I took away from my visit to Altaerrie, it is that they can defeat Unity. There is no question."

  "Will they, though?" Kirath asked.

  "They will," Natilite responded. "It was our fault to believe they would solve our problems for us. I think we must understand. We need to show that we can be trusted, too. We need to have honor. This is new to the Altaerrie, and they are rightly scared. If we remain true, I do believe they will grow from this experience and be the ally we need."

  "You say that as if trying to convince yourself," Kirath said.

  Natilite glanced toward the Neko in frustration. Not because his words were insulting but because there was truth within them. However, she took a breath to calm herself. "I trust in them. I trust Fraeya, who sees the potential in the Altaerrie. I trust the warriors I have met so far. As Matt would say, I have faith."

  "I noticed you call him by his first name," Kirath commented.

  She glared at him and glanced away, slightly blushing. "I grew to respect him. He is trying, and I know his people will follow suit. One of the British officers told me—the Americans will always do the right thing; they just need to try everything else first."

  Kirath shrugged his shoulders before laughing. "Good enough for me. Now, we climb."

  "Your claws are not sharp enough to climb this," Derion commented, staring at the cliff.

  "I can carry you up," Natilite said. "Are you ready?"

  "With respect," Kirath said. "I will not allow a Valkyrie to touch me."

  "It will be faster if I can carry you," Natilite said.

  "You flying types hunt my kind," Kirath said. "You expect me to trust you?"

  The Templar crossed her arms in frustration but understood where the feline was coming from. Except for the Luperca race—eight-foot-tall wolfman—most beast species were smaller and stayed close to the ground, being easily preyed upon by those who could fly. She was not going to tolerate the inner racial prejudice between different species.

  "No," Natilite said. "If you had an issue, you should have stayed behind."

  Derion chuckled as he prepared to scale the cliff. "Stop walking like a kitsune." The wolf then climbed the wall at great speed.

  The Neko sighed. Once he was ready, the genetically enhanced Valkyrie grabbed the feline’s shoulders and flew upwards.

  Over the radio, she heard the progression of the firefight. They were fully engaged, and the Airman confirmed that the two objectives were on the move. When they reached the top, she dropped Kirath, and he landed on all fours before standing. Derion pulled himself over the edge and rose to his feet.

  Natilite hovered, glancing around. She lowered her Altaerrie-attached VISOR and used the limited zoom option. That was when she saw the two walkers exiting the peninsula. She descended to the two Legionaries and pointed toward the direction they needed to go.

  Moving up a rocky slope, the Neko easily hopped over the rocks. The Luperca, on the other hand, struggled with the loose stones, much to the feline's amusement. The Valkyrie hovered before landing on the other side.

  The Templar kneeled and brushed through the foliage until finding the ledge. She grabbed her DMR and looked through the digital scope. The other two quickly appeared, taking cover beside her. Kirath grabbed his Erraus, a circiletum sniper equipped with a primitive scope compared to Altaerrie standards. Derion removed the heavy rallustum and loaded a metal spike projectile inside the rails.

  It didn’t take long for them to see the three walkers appear. They all had six legs besides the typical four, climbing close to a forty-degree angle. The first one was the elecaves, with the second being the primary target—the scope. The last one was carrying a massive mana battery, which powered the two devices.

  "Which one should I destroy first?" Derion asked.

  "The moment we attack," Kirath said, "the others will flee, and we will be attacked."

  "True," Natilite said. "Derion, destroy the scope first. I will flank and kill the elecaves driver. That should give you enough time to reload and maybe enough distraction."

  When the Templar saw that they agreed with her plan, she rushed through the foliage again until she was further up the slope. When she was in position, she saw the spike projectile fired from the Luperca rallustum impact the scope. The rear of the walker exploded, but it didn’t destroy the legged vehicle outright; the target was destroyed.

  The angelic warrior flocked her wings and flew. The defending infantry opened fire in the general direction of the two Horatius Legionaries. When she exposed herself, many of those defenders redirected their weapons toward her, causing the Valkyrie to maneuver.

  Natilite stopped momentarily; she aimed her M77, lining up the driver of the elecaves walker. She fired, and the 7.62mm round impacted the chest, killing the dark elf.

  The walker stopped, and she took the opportunity to fly back into the forest for cover. One of the elecaves rushed to take the driver seat, but a second spike fired from Derion’s rallustum destroyed the wavelength device.

  She flew through the forest until reaching the two Legionaries. When she landed, she kneeled for cover. "Comanche-Lead, this is Wings. Targets destroyed," she said over TEAMCOM.

  "What about the battery?" Kirath asked, reloading his circiletum clip.

  "There is a third walker with batteries," Natilite said. "You want us to attack?"

  "Wings," Ryder responded over TEAMCOM. "Negative. Mission complete, fallback and regroup."

  "Roger," Natilite said before turning to the two Horatius. "They want us to flee. Mission complete."

  May 13th, 2069 (Military Calendar)

  LZ X-Ray, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie

  Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

  *****

  With Comanche and Horatius entering the large opening near the cliff’s edge, Ryder and the other Minutemen teams prepared a landing zone designated LZ X-Ray. Yellow smoke flared across the grass, marking the site for incoming aircraft.

  As other Minutemen teams returned from their missions and streamed through the opening, Ryder ordered his team to support the perimeter defense. Then he moved to the rally point where the officers had begun to gather.

  Comanche dispersed to help clear logs and debris from the landing site. Fraeya, focusing her geomancy, shifted boulders and carved out trenches. There were dozens of Minutemen from the other teams digging foxholes, assisting the Combat Engineers, a specialized unit within the Minutemen structure for behind-enemy-lines construction or obstacle removal.

  “What are your forces doing?” Antius asked.

  “Preparing for the cavalry,” Ryder replied.

  As the two commanders approached the assembled officers, Ryder found them in good spirits. Gathered around a massive hand-drawn cartography map of this sector of Nevali were Captains James Miller of Ghost, Isaac Murphy of Viking, O'Ryan Hudson of Razorfist, Sharpe of Vanguard, and Maravilla of Samurai.

  To Ryder’s surprise and satisfaction, he saw an elf assisting the Viking team—Nobleman Taegon Elstina, eldest son of Folen who was guarding some unknown well dressed Nagal. The young wood elf had joined the war effort out of a desire to prove himself and serve this new nation that he and his daughter were building. From what he understood, the elf warrior was becoming a sharp hunter and marksman. Thanks to his noble status and academic background, he qualified for a Minutemen Combat Team.

  “Look who finally made it back,” Hudson quipped. “His Majesty.”

  “I think you mean Duke of Hazard,” Murphy added, causing everyone to chuckle.

  “For a moment there,” Miller added. “We were about to send a rescue team.”

  “Okay, okay,” Ryder said. “Who is Taegon guarding?”

  “Him?” Murphy replied. “We found him about an hour ago, some representative of a nearby City-State. Apparently, some hunters saw us approaching and went back to their local lord and informed us.”

  The news surprised Ryder, as this could become a major security threat. However, with how calm everyone was made him wonder if the situation was already taken care of. “You are not worried about an attack?”

  “Of course,” Murphy said. “But Taegon took care of it. I have to admit, I was not expecting having a nobleman on my team to become this useless. They want to switch to our side; however, the Nagal wants to speak with you.”

  Ryder took a deep breath as he saw where this conversation was going. He has no idea what the people on this peninsula knew about his House. The only thing he could think about was the village being massacred because of his name. He was also thankful that Taegon, being a noble from birth was able to handle the situation – who also knew how to speak the higher-class language. However, because how close their Houses have become, the Captain knew that the Wood Elf noble was hyping up the American Duke of Salva, wishing to secure new allies.

  “Do you want to bring him over now?” Murphy asked.

  “Wait for Hackett,” Ryder responded.

  “Now that is on hold,” Maravilla asked. “How did your mission go, Matt?”

  “Made contact with Legion scouts,” Ryder replied. “We ran into a Areani unit and they led us to our objective. Both targets neutralized.”

  “We ran into one also,” Sharpe said. “We cleared out an orc staging area.”

  “How did your missions go?” Ryder asked the others.

  “We took out our rallustum battery,” Maravilla said. “Those things go up fast.”

  “We made tea,” Murphy said. “LZ was left uncontested.”

  “Won’t stay that way,” Miller warned. “Once they realize we landed, they’ll hit us hard.”

  “Not our problem,” Ryder said.

  “I’m okay with that,” Sharpe smirked. “My team needs something to do.”

  “You can do my laundry,” Miller offered.

  “And bake some cookies,” Murphy added. “Just like Mom used to after school.”

  “I hate you all,” Sharpe grumbled.

  “I meant,” Ryder clarified, “the 101st is supposed to handle the bulk of enemy forces and secure our flanks.”

  “I must press,” Antius said. “My people are close, but with the orc clans and the Unity know we’re coming. If they are already probing these lands, then they must be preparing an ambush. We must move quickly.”

  “Not so fast,” Maravilla said. “I know we want to contact with X Legion, but all our Phantom teams were ambushed by orcs. We will need the 101st to punch through. Otherwise, we’re dead weight.”

  Ryder glanced at the map and noted colored coins: blue for U.S. forces, green for estimated X Legion positions, red for Unity, and yellow for the Worathig Confederacy. To his concern, there were fewer hostile coins than he liked—an ominous reminder of how little reconnaissance they had. That had been the constant theme since this war began.

  As the Legionary Capitaneus briefed the officers about orc tactics, Ryder moved beside Murphy.

  “How’s the elf?”

  “Taegon? Doing well. Kid’s got sharp instincts. Needs confidence, though.”

  “He seems eager to prove himself.”

  “As long as he keeps that noble status off the battlefield, I’ve got no issue... No offense.”

  “And yet,” Ryder said, mock serious, “I’m extremely offended.” Both men chuckled. Ryder knew how the other Minutemen officers felt—respectful but uncertain. Only Colonel Hackett had endorsed the American royalty in Assiaya. The others followed out of loyalty, not conviction.

  He turned as his and Viking’s Air Force Combat Controllers approached.

  “Status?”

  “I’ve got COMS with Hackett,” Higgins said. “CAP inbound.”

  As the officers absorbed the news that their cavalry was near, Ryder pointed toward the Horatius commander.

  Over the skyline came four MQ-8 Chickasaw II attack drones, escorted by a single manned AH-45 Cheyenne II, which directed them. They formed a defensive orbit above the tree line.

  Then the sky filled with aircraft—three dozen in total within this flight. VTOL thrusters from VC-57 Puuku transports carried platoons of troops. Larger V-388 Pallaton tiltrotors brought squads and critical supplies. While many hovered, a few descended to offload soldiers and robots from 1B/2MBCT/101st Airborne.

  CUQ-41 Bluejay resupply drones also landed. The nearest one popped open, revealing ammunition, food, and equipment. Minutemen rushed in to restock.

  Ryder noticed the awe on the faces of his Horatius allies. They’d seen air assaults before—but from the wrong side of history. They weren’t staring at the utility or heavy-lift aircraft, but at the massive quad-rotor beast overhead: the V-44 Chippewa.

  The Puuku was a reliable workhorse—capable of moving a platoon and several IRiSS soldiers. But the Chippewa was on another level. It could transport a whole company or a Lance APC. With massive thrusters and long-range capability, it was unmatched for deep insertions.

  As several Chippewas made room in the sky, one lowered cargo: an M33 Campbell suit, suspended via crane from a modified Chippewa variant. Magnetic locks and cables held the mech in place as its crew disembarked from a pod behind the cockpit. There was another that landed. Once the engines were deactivated, the roof opened, preparing the minor vertical launching system for short-range missiles and loitering munition drones for infantry support.

  Still, it wasn’t the firepower that held Ryder’s gaze. It was the command variant—specially designed for airborne brigade-level leadership. When it landed, the aircraft deployed four poles and draped an active camo net over itself. A launcher extended toward the front, and three recon drones burst skyward.

  Nearby, another Bluejay drone landed. Ryder immediately sent Comanche to resupply, followed by Horatius. This drone carried specialized flechette clips and mana batteries, courtesy of Elstina’s armory in Salva.

  Ryder spotted Colonel Hackett emerging from the command Chippewa, eyes alive with focus. He motioned for Antius and Natilite to follow him. As most aircraft returned to Salva, about three hundred Americans secured the LZ.

  “I’ll admit,” Natilite said, “that was impressive. Even the Unity never executed airborne operations so efficiently.”

  “They play war,” Rommel said. “We’ve mastered it.”

  “Perhaps,” Antius replied, “but six hundred men won’t be enough to push through the orcs and Unity.”

  “This is only the first wave,” Ryder said. “There will be a second. Maybe even a third.”

  When the Colonel approached, all the Captains saluted before being addressed. Each team then provided their mission reports, all successes. That was when the Colonel turned to the Nagal, noticing the well-dressed representative with Viking explaining the situation.

  Hackett placed his hand on chin, reflecting on the information. “This is good. Intel warned us about this city, and we were concerned if they were going to be a throne in our operations. It looks like you are up, Duke. See if you can work out an alliance with the city.”