Agent of Vestrisia Chapter

            Castle Behn Vahgontis served as the perfect hiding place and location for a hidden base. Its ruins were hidden deep within a dense forest outside the limits of the city Orse Vagdim. Not too far from the city of Orse Vagdim was the castle known as Eerhahen Kivam. It could have served as a base and a hideout if it wasn’t sitting on a fucking hill out in the open. Sergeant Mern Stanley Lekar of the Elite branch of the VAVR had more reasons to hide in Behn Vahgontis than some old castle where the locals would be willing to snoop around and find their hideout.

            This was a major hideout amongst seven others strewn about Mulzan, Zekmar, Bolith, Rhes Tarim, and Novad. Mern Stanley Lekar had command of about thirty-six men. They were his team that he had led for the past five years. There were six other groups of agents, commandos operating within several enemy territories. Each group of commandos/agents had a certain set of missions to complete. Since the year of 1846 Lekar’s group and the other commando groups have sabatoged hangars, manufacturing facilities, and garrisons of Gantronese troops.

            The hangars they destroyed were meant for the planned invasions of Zekmar, Dorntalla, Nevkamuu, and Gaskouth Ladai. His group and two others destroyed these hangars and the transports inside. Their demolition delayed the invasions and reinforcements by some number of months. This allowed Muzad, Baedur, and the Zema Ilam to gather significant forces to hold the Gantronese. It also allowed the Vestrisian forces to marshall more troops to the fronts. What really allowed the alliance of peoples to resist the Gantronese invasion was the reduced numbers of troops.

            Just a year before the Gantronese launched their planned invasions Lekar and other groups of Commandos sabatoged a number of garrisons. There in Rhes Tarim and Nova the commandos harassed the garrisons of Gantronese soldiers before poisoning their food and water supplies. Lekar sat in his cushioned chair relieved to have sent information about the Gantronese invasions of Zekmar, the Republic’s territories Gaskouth Ladai and Nevkamuu. He received the information back in 1847 from a compound they infiltrated near the borders of Zekmar. Mern couldn’t send the information until 1848.

            They were planning on the infiltration of a top-secret meeting somewhere in Bolith. Only where in Bolit would this secret meeting be held? It was crucial for them to know exactly where this secret meeting was being held. Lekar looked at the floor thinking of which city it could be in the boundaries of the Imperial Gantronese Empire. As he pondered over the various cities someone walked up to him. The leader did not care who it was he just wanted to be left alone right now. Whoever it was they were certainly determined to get his attention. He thought it was Ursan the gambling thief, Harold Harus, Torvo or Gennas the horny flirt. Gennas was the handsome half-elf who would snake his way into bed with just about every woman he’d meet. To Lekar’s surprise it ws Norvkiin holding a piece of parchment with some words scribbled on it.

            Lekar immediately shot up in his seat turning his head to face Norkiin. He snatched the piece of parchment from Narkiin’s hands. In moments he looked at the contents and started to read the words it had. The words were: Go to the eigth city in Bolith. It is known for its secrets. The Gantronese have used this city for its secrets. There are six large abbeys in a circle. Each one is facing a tall structure in the shape of a straight sword reaching up to the heavenly deities.

            Lekar shot up realizing which city this meeting was taking place. He skimmed through the words again saying the location inside his head repeatedly before standing up. As he stood up and turned to his commandos, he knew they were ready for this next mission. It was for the Vestrisian Republic’s efforts in this long war.

            “The meeting is at the city of Khonn Aviirs in Bolith. Osirim you’re up this time!” Lekar shouted feeling overjoyed about this, but hardly showed it on his face. He looked over the heads of Petur, Enav, and Torvo to see Osirim their Doppelganger or shapeshifter playing dice with Jeni the mechanic and driver. Osirim turned his head towards Lekar and stood up.

            “Yes Sergeant Sir! Am I needed this time?” Osirim asked him.              

            “Yes, you are needed. Your shapeshifting skills will be required for this mission in Bolith.” Lekar told the Doppelganger.

            Osirim had been with them for over three years. Mern ran into the Doppelganger while observing the area in Rhes Tarim. Lekar was taking photos of key factories well ahead of the Vestrisian Military Plans of bombing these facilities when the two accidentely bumped into each other in the middle of a compound. It was a disguised as a warehouse and a pottery workshop. Osirim had transformed himself into a warehouse worker who normally drank frequently. The Doppelganger messed with Lekar by transforming into a Gantronese guard before introducing himself. That led to his recruitment into the band of Commandos.

            “Jeni go get that airship of yours up and ready. Harold, Sequatis, Petur, Steffin stay here to look after the palace. We should be back soon enough.” Lekar ordered the commandos. Jeni got up from her dice to prepare the airship she constructed within Behn Vahgontis’ vast yet ruined courtyard. Mern stood up and walked over to the large desk with papers, notes, and other items. He picked up a satchel and headed straight for his quarters. There Lekar found his logbook of all the facilities, comunds, factories, bases, and checkpoints they had infiltrated, destroyed or sabotaged. Every location was marked on a map he had nailed to the wall. Lekar grabbed every piece of paper and the logbook including the map then stuffed them inside the satchel before leaving the room. As he returned to the main hall of the castle Lekar called on those who were not staying in the castle. He then addressed those he wanted to stay up and watch the hideout.

            “Ursan, Tecanos the two of you keep an eye out inside Orse Vagdim while we are gone. Let’s load up people!” Lekar barked at them knowing they’d follow his orders. He went out to the courtyard with the commandos following at his heels. They came across Jeni firing up the engines to the airship.

            The moment they got aboard the airship Jeni started to stee the craft upward. It levitated off the ground leaving the courtyard. Their transport floated over the castle walls and began to build up speed. Lekar watched the ground, trees, and landscape shrink as they asceneded in the air. Jeni’s airship went through the air at a steady pace going past Orse Vagdim. It was nearing dusk as the ship passed over another city named Eghuthis at 53 degrees Northeast.

            As it grew darker the three moons shined a dim light onto the borders of Rhes Tarim. Lekar stood at the bow of the airship with the wind blowing in his face from the north. It was a clear night sky with no signs of clouds above Bolith. The bright stars and the three moons shined light on the lands below them. Lekar hoped Jeni’s airship would not get spotted by the Gantronese and get shot at. To their greater fortune not a single anti-aicraft battery, or AA guns opened fire. Not even one Zeykos fighter came after them.

            Lekar took this chance to look at the note again only to notice something else scribbled on to it. The words he missed read Land in the ruins nearby, you wil see one brazier lit outside of the eighth city. The enemy meeting will be in the catacombs underneath the fourth Abbey. Hint: Look for the one with a helm roof on the central third tower.

            This gave the airship another hiding place from enemy eyes. Aboard Jeni’s airship the Sergeant looked out on the bow. The others were sound asleep while he and Jeni were still wide awake. He spent a few minutes searching for the lit brazier as they were most likely nearing Khonn Aviirs. They were at least six hours in the journey and still had no enemy fighters, AA guns, or AA batteries firing on them. In the dark night Mern spotted a light in the far distance. This light wasn’t the only light he saw, but it did stick out as a single light far away from a larger group of lights. Lekar rushed up to the stern where Jeni was steering the airship.

            “Jeni Do you see that light?” he asked her, pointing at the single light standing out alone.

            “Is it that light standing alone out in the open?” she asked him.

            “Yes, it is Jeni.” He answered the female pilot and engineer.

            “Then we’ll be there in no time sir.” She said pulling on a lever and pressed on a peddle with her foot. Their airship went towards the single light at a faster speed than before. He saw this light getting bigger and bigger as they drew closer to it. Lekar stood next to Jeni with the light in his sights. Once the airship was within reach of these ruins more fires were lit in a circle. A voice emerged from bellow shouting up at them. This voice belonged to a familiar person to Lekar. They were shouting directions at them. Jeni woke up so they can get off.

            “That’s it go a little to the left, now head a little to the right at an angle. Come on don’t be shy you’ve got it. Stop, Stop, now descend, descend. Slowly take her down!” the voice shouted as the single brazier was estinguished.

            When they came down and landed to the darkness of the ruins Lekar jumped out. He landed on his feet with the light of the torches illuminating the people on the ground. As Jeni turned off the engines someone clasped a hand on Mern’s shoulder. He turned to see the face of Lieutenant Hurvel Arrowson who was grinning at his arrival.

            “Glad you can make it Sergeant. Do you have the note with you?” Hurvel asked referring to the message Narkiin gave to him.

            “Yes, I have it with me. I also have a Doppelganger aboard.” He told Hurvel who looked a bit surprised, but was happy to hear this.

            “Good the Doppelganger will be very usefull, because there is a Gantronese officer camping a few miles away. He is supposed to attend this meeting in Khonn Aviirs. Apparently, this meeting won’t take place until later tomorrow night.” Hurvel said leading Lekar and his group of agents inside. Osirim followed them at their heels. Lekar followed Hurvel through an open gate like door to a hallway. They came to a tunnel that veered righto some rooms where they could sleep. Jeni, Osirim, Torvo, Enav, and Gennas followed their leader to the large room where they would sleep for the night.

            “You will sleep here until we need you.” Hurvel said to them before leaving the commandos/agents to their sleep.

            Every one of them set their equipment down and picked a bed to sleep in. Before going to sleep, Lekar looked at the bags full of listening devices, spy cameras, miniature microphones, code breaking devices, lockpicks, and various radios. Each one of them were armed with different pistols, silencers, various knives, gaggers and other concealable weapons. Mern fell asleep while sitting up and slowly collapsed onto the bed without even realizing it. He slept a long and comfortable slumber that night. The Sergeant was woken up by Jeni who was pushing on his left shoulder.

            “Sir, wake up, breakfast is ready. Plus Lieutenant Arrowson has a surprise for you.” She said stirring him out of the bed. Lekar got up to get himself breakfast and coffee in the kitchen by following Jeni’s lead. Once he had his fill of coffee and bacon with some bunns Lekar requested to see this little surprise.

            An agent of Arrowson escorted him deeper through the stone ruins to a cell in the dungeons below. There a Gantronese officer bound to a chair was being interrogated for further information other than the meeting. Lieutenant Arrowson happened to be inside the cell and noticed Lekar. The Lieutenant nodded to him and he nodded back in a form of greeting.

            “See Sergeant Lekar you don’t’ have to capture the Gantronese officer on your own. So your Doppelganger has its disguise. Get him in here, I’d like to see the transformation myself.” Lieutenant Arrowson said to Lekar before ordering one of his own men to fetch Osirim.

            “As you can see Gantronese filth we have agents, spies, saboteurs, and assassins deep in your territory. Unfortunately, you won’t live to inform anyone of our presence.” Arrowson said to the Gantronese with a smug look on his face.

            “Wait before we have Osirim transform into him I’d like some intel from him.” Lekar requested to Arrowson right as Osirim and four others entered the dungeon.

            “Gantronese, tell me are there any more attacks on the Vestrisian Republics?” Lekar demanded from the alien officer.

            “Why would I tell you? You Vestrisian cunt!” the officer hissed at him.

            “Because instead of a quick death we break your limbs and leave you to be feasted upon by certain predators.” Lekar threatened the Gantronese officer as if warning him not to lie. This took the Gantronese officer by surprise making Lekar assume he was jus half Gantronese or a lesser one at that.

            “A combined fleet of Gantronese, Nazdar, Vidothran, Gontrellan, and Vodwanian ships have just prepared to launch an invasion on Al-Dadoria, and the Boathrin Isles.” The Gantronese officer said to Lekar spilling out vital information.

            Lekar wrote down everything the Gantronese spilled out to them. He handed the paper to Narkiin who had joined him. Osirim then maneuvered around them to stand behind the Gantronese.

            “Go get this to a radio or any other communications and send those words to the Vestrisian Army Intelligence!” Lekar shouted at Narkiin who rushed to the nearest radio. As he was turning around the Doppelganger placed his hands on the officer’s shoulders. He began to change into the Gantronese officer. Once he was completely transformed into the Gantronese the Osirim kneeled down, so he was able to speak into the officer’s ear.

            “All I need is your rank and name. For I already know much of your Empire’s intelligence.” Osirim said to the Gantronese.

            “I am Colonel Hirato Igamo Mashiro.” The Gantronese officer said.

            “Good we’ll be back soon.” Osirim told the Gantronese then exited the dungeon. Lekar and the others watched the transformed Doppelganger before returning to their quarters. In moments Narkiin, Torvo, Enav, Gennas, and Osirim were ready. Although the meeting was not until later tonight the commandos chose to head over to Khon Aviirs. On foot it took them a few hours to reach the city. Under the guise of a farmer’s cart full of hay and a merchant’s wagon loaded up with cloth they slipped inside. The Lieutenant and his men had been stockpiling cloth through weaving and planting hay/straw around the ruins.

            Now inside the city of Khonn Aviirs the agents had to wait until noon to get out of their hiding places. Their drivers made a bit of profit while fooling the authorities in the marketplace. While the crowds in the market thickened Lekar and his team got out of their hiding places. Four of Arrowson’s commandos came out of their hiding place and led Lekar’s group to an alley. In this particular alley was a secret entrance to the catacombs. However, Osirim made his own way to the Abbey’s having run into Colonel Igama Moshiro’s local bodyguards.

            As they made their way through the tunnels of the catacombs Lekar felt this operation would succeed with an easy getaway. Inside the catacombs they found a room that was near the meeting’s location. Arrowson’s agents reassured Lekar that this was close enough and the meeting was just on the other side of the stone slab wall. They took their time setting up all the listening devices and radios needed for eavesdropping. In case they did not get everything, the team planted a wire on to Osirim to record the whole meeting. Lekar searched for something to sit on and set up his station. Even though they had their equipment set up Lekar brought his own listening device and headphones. As soon as he was set up and ready to eavesdrop the teams waited until the meeting began.

            Voices rose up in the room on the other side of the catacomb wall. They waited until they heard Igamo’s name called out before writing anything down. Lekar wrote names like General-Daimyo Teigan Shinoro, General Hata Domatyo, Shogun Gitao Hogai, Colone Inaba Goro Roku, Shogun-General Domen Taigadoth, and Colonels such as Colonel Jeittix Tain. He heard a total of fifteen officers speaking at once inside the room. The silence was an indicator that the meeting was starting.

            “Good evening gentlemen I have received word from Daimyo Ryom Kazuo, Shogun Ogurai Uffamo and Grand General Kase Nashimatsu that our Divine Marshall Utero Yama Heyattaro has approved of the new weapons you have suggested…”Lekar only listened to the more important details of this particular meeting.

            “…first we have General Hata Damatyo’s Toshim Barges…”

            “…these barges are designed to carry up to 10,000 troops with an additional crew of …” Lekar wrote that down and waited for the next person to speak. The next person to be addressed was General- Daimyo Teigan Shinoro.

            “Thank you, General Bikop and I have designed the Electric Paralyzer CX-500…it will have the ability to harness electricity…once the machine is charged then fired its electric bolts will shut down its targets rendering them useless.” Shinoro explained to the meeting.

            “…Next we have Shogun Gitao Hogai from Ghudran…”

            “Thank you, High Colonel Suda,…I present to you officers, diagrams of super soldiers that I call Golems or Cyborg Guardians…these soldiers are created through the use of…” Hogai’s voice trailed off as Lekar realized what nightmarish experiments it would involve creating Hogai’s weapons. It was only assumed it would involve people and not corpses of the dead resurrected after being cut up then sewn together. He then returned to eavesdropping and tried to listen for more weapons being planned out. All he got out was slave camps used to create weapons. This took them all by surprise even Lekar was taken aback.

            The very mention of slave camps caused to Lekar to get out a map of the Gantronese territories. He quickly started to dot the locations down hoping to send this information when he got back to base. He and the other teams sat there waiting for the meeting to end. As soon as it came to a close, they immediately started to pack things up. All the remainder of the meeting was about the usual weapons used in the war. It is not long before they started to exit the catacombs then made their way out of the city after meeting Osirim.

            Once they returned to the safety of Arrowson’s hideout the whole group began planning their next move against the Gantronese. Some suggested the sabatoge ports, and more garrisons. Lekar turned these suggestions down.

            “No let’s get back to Bhenn Vagontis.” Lekar said taking his bags and satchel to Jeni’s airship. His team gathered up everything and said farewell to Arrowson’s group.

            Four hours in the night they slowly made their way back over the border. Lekar did not sleep during the voyage home since he was still haunted by the ideas of using corpses or organs to create weapons. It was something he only thought necromancers would do when resurrecting the dead not scientists or military madmen. What sort of abominations would the Gantronese create? Lekar pondered over these ideas during the rest of the trip to Behnn Vahgontis. As they came to their hideout the Sergeant jotted down reminders to raid prisons and liberate slave camps with Vestrisian forces. He felt the impact of the soft landing within the confines of the courtyard. To his surprise he saw Sequatis, Steffin, and Petur waiting for them.

            “What are you three doing out here in the courtyard?” He asked jumping down from the airship with the other members of this team. Steffin did not look very cheerful about what he was going to tell Lekar.

            “Um, sir Captain Ivan Abbelforth is here with his band of assassins, thieves, and raiders. He wants to speak with you.” Steffin said to Sergeant Lekar hoping he wasn’t about to punch him or shoot him. Lekar always despised Captain Abbelforth, he would not want to be near sich a reckless commando. Abbelforth had been known to leave a trail of destruction in his wake. His raids would often involve the harassment of noble families under enemy influence or protection.          

            “Screw it I’ll meet with the bastard!” he growled pushing past his men and entered the castle. Inside he came across over a score of Abbelforth’s cutthroat men that reminded him more of pirates than actual agents/commandos. One of Abbelforth’s men pointed towards Lekar’s main study, and planning room. The Sergeant went straight for the study and opened the door. Inside his personal study he found Captain Abbelforth sitting in his highchair.

            “Why hello there, Sergeant Lekar, hope you don’t mind if we make ourselves at home in your cozy hideout.” Abbeforth said greeting Lekar inside his own hideout.

            “What the fuck do you want Abbelforth? Have you brought the entire Gantronese army on your ass?” Lekar asked not pleased to see him.

            “Come now Sergeant I only came here because I have some ideas that could end this war much sooner.” Abbelforth said.

            “What sort of ideas could you possibly come up with that will end this damned war sooner?” Lekar asked mocking Abbelforth in his presence.

            “I have a plan that involves sparking up revolts that will transform into revolutions or rebellions in Rhes Tarim, Bolth, Nova, and Giadria.” Abbelforth said and stood up to pou a drink for Lekar.