Commando Part 6

The commando awoke the very next day with a cat patting him on the face with its paw. He scratched it on the head, but it ran away when he tried to pet it. Maurice got out of bed quickly so he could get going with the day. He took little time in getting his clothes on and donning his travelers equipment. There came a knock at the door. Maurice went to the door as the person knocked again. He opened the door to find Brittany at the door with her own things packed up and ready for travel. Several servants were behind her waiting help them carry luggage. A few knocked on the doors to the Unseen Bears’ rooms to wake them up. Both smugglers/fighters waited for the Unseen Bears before going down for breakfast. Amonif was the first to come out then Hilastes whom allowed the servants to carry their things over to their steeds.

      Right after breakfast the quartet went straight for the stables. King Hornbrand and his son Prince Kulem had other matters to tend to with the Court. No one really said their goodbyes to them save for the servants, Head Butler, and the Doorward’s third apprentice. A Lieutenant of the Ayalim Guard escorted them through the market areas, enclaves for miners, and barracks. The stables were large enough o house an entire herd of Yackdreth. At these stables stood their steeds and pack mule Yakox loaded with their provisions and rewards. Not saying anything to the handlers the quartet paid the handlers and went on their way. As they made their way through the cobbled streets heads turned to watch the Unseen Bears with their Cabrakan-Tadi. Brittany turned to Maurice who tied his Yakox to his Goat Steed. She touched him on the arm getting his attention. The commando turned to face her. She blinked slowly to him. Maurice put a hand on her chin clasping it a little.

      They mounted their steeds as soon as they reached the Gates of Bhastroick IV. Ayalim’s Gates of Bhastroick was built six centuries ago to replace the old gates, which were destroyed in a war still recalled by many dwarves. To them these gates stood as a symbol of strength, determination, will, and triumph against the savages of Sarcagos. Tales say the hordes of the Sarcagos were led by an Overlord Vampire named Zadimus the Heinous Prince of Mount Exoris. The gates stood several stories high with a bonded arch and two statues depicting royal guards for pillars holding the archway.

      Passing the gates the quartet convoy came to the road. On the road they headed straight for the Qad Rise with no time to waste. At a quickened pace the party traversed the road passing a village or two. There were also some rains along this road including a shack.

      The Qad Rise was covered in a forest of Troll trees, wormwoods, and thick Dwarf Ferns. It was a dense forest that engulfed the entire Qad Rise and stretched over miles upon miles over the central parts of Sarcagos. This dense forest started about half a mile away from an old farm. Without hesitation they went in the forest following the road. As they ascended further up the slopes they party came to the borders of Ayalim. In the road was a stone carved into the shape of an axe head that marked Ayalim’s border. At this particular border marker stood a gang of seven rather determined hit men, bounty hunters, thugs and hired killers. Each one of these mercenaries had a distinct feature about them.

      One of them in the center had a large built with big arms, strong legs, and a big head. This brute looking hit man had a scared face, half of which was covered with a black mask. His left arm was decorated with tattooed armbands, and scars. The other arm had an arm brace of latched rings wielding a long dagger with marks on it. Next to the black masked hit man was a bounty hunter wearing highwaymen’s clothing and donning a tricorn hat. He was armed with two cutlasses. On the other side of the hit man stood another hit man wearing a duster coat and armed with machetes. Two of the mercenaries were thugs dressed in old looking leather jerkins and jeans armed with a club and a sledge hammer. The sixth mercenary was a hired killer covered head to toe in tattered rags for a cloak. The cloaked killer wielded a katana. Behind the katana wielding killer stood an orc armed with a mace and a war axe. These seven mercenaries blocked their path.

      Maurice turned to Brittany then to Amonif and Hilastes whom nodded to him. All four dismounted forced into a melee combat. They could take out seven mercenaries here and now except the noise of their guns would attract others. The commando grabbed his pole arm sword; Brittany went for her knives whereas the Unseen Bears brought their iron knuckles, and quarterstaff.

      Each member of the quartet chose an opponent to face. Maurice chose the black masked hit man, Amonif too the machete wielding hit man, Brittany took on the bounty hunter and Hilastes took the killer. The commando faced this black masked hit man who held a very overconfident smirk. All four of the commando’s party were ready to face their opponents. In seconds the fight began between mercenaries and the quartet of Vestrisians. Maurice dodged the first strike from the black mask who spun around to grab a machete off the duster coat hit man. Brittany had to dodge and jump back as the bounty hunter moved in. Hilastes blocked every blow from the killer while hitting him every three or four blocks. After the black masked hit man took a machete from the other hit man, his partner attacked Amonif.

      The Unseen Bear caught both the hit man’s arms as he tried to strike down with both blades. Amonif twisted the hit man’s left arm at the wrist forcing the hit man to drop the weapon. He punched the hit man in the face then went for his gut. His opponent dropped to the ground unconscious. Acting fast Amonif picked up a machete and threw it at one of the twins. The blade struck the intended target instantly killing one of the thugs. Amonif turned to the other twin who fled. In a split second the Unseen Bear gave chase.

      Maurice had some trouble fighting this black masked hit man who used the machete against him. As he fought he caught glimpses of how Brittany and Hilastes were faring. Both of them were still alive. Brittany was still dodging and blocking the cutlasses. Hilastes had smacked the killer dozens of times before knocking him flat on his back on the ground. Once the killer was down Hilastes finished him off. He struck down on the head repeatedly. Hilastes turned to the orc who charged at him with berserk rage.

      Maurice focused more on the hit man gaining the upper hand against the black masked hit man. It took a while to bring this hit man to his knees. As he wore the hit man down Maurice hit him in the stomach with the butt of his pole arm Brittany stabbed the bounty hunter numerous times.

      Returning to the hit man Maurice saw he brought the black masked mercenary to his hands and knees. Realizing he had the advantage the commando pushed the hit man upright. He faced the defeated hit man then drove his pole arm sword into his chest. Maurice’s opponent collapsed on the dirt face down. The black masked hit man laid in the dirt as a lifeless corpse. Brittany took both of the cutlasses and the tricorn hat. She placed it on her head right as Hilastes broke the orc’s neck. The large Unseen Bear had over powered the orc using his Quarterstaff skills.

      Amonif returned with the corpse of the second twin thug. He dropped it on the other corpse then stormed over to the duster coat wearing hit man. With one hand Amonif lifted the hit man’s head to find he had committed suicide through poison injection. Realizing he was dead Amonif flipped him over to take the machetes and any loot. Hilastes looted the orc and the killer of their weapons leaving the bodies where they lay. Maurice turned his attention to the dead black masked hit man to search for anything worth taking. He took the hit man’s long dagger that had twenty-five notches. Each one represented a kill the hit man made over time. Maurice took the dagger then rummaged through the pockets and found an envelope. He opened it to find that these mercenaries were hired to hunt them down.

      On the letter were the symbols of the Ruthless Hordes, the Omnir Raiders, and a Dwarf Warlord. To him it was obvious he had pissed off a number of people already. It was now clear a group of powerful people wanted them dead. A bounty was on their heads or at least on his head. 

Commando Part 5

      The Kingdom of Mount Ayalim wasn’t just the mountain itself. It included the mounds, and various settlements surrounding the region. Ayalim stretched from the base of the Crehx to the slopes of the Qad Rise and the very slopes of the Northern Quwar Heights. Each mount was about the size of a small village with six buildings on top. A few just had one temple with a set of stairs descending to the ground. They were all about two or three stories high. Mount Ayalim stood well over fifteen hundred and eighty four stories high. It was mostly carved around the entrances whereas the rest was left at its natural state.

      King Sasseak Hornbrand led them towards the Mountain. Maurice, Brittany, Hilastes, Amonif followed King Hornbrand to Ayalim with Prince Kulem. They left the High ranking officer to his duties. Ayalim’s commander of the Guard followed them with just a troop of Guardsmen. All around them were Dwarves of various shapes and sizes for dwarves. Beards were in a number of styles and colors. Some beards had sections or locks dyed a single color. Ayalim’s dark green banners dangled on their poles, and from their posts. The dark green banners had golden borders and two ivory axes flanking a silver triangle. These banners varied in sizes according to which building they hung from. Some were in flag shapes on poles on top of towers. At guard every guard tower, temple, shop, and street corner a Guardsman. Each one of them was armed with an axe and a rifle. Their shields were slung on their back with ivory axes and silver triangle painted on it.

      Several hundred of Ayalim’s citizens walked about the area carrying on about their own business. Many of them bowed to the king as he passed through the crowds. Heralds blew their trumpets at the King’s approach to the entrance. King Hornbrand ordered for the group to stop at two statues that stood one story tall. Each one was carved to resemble heroes from an ancient era. From these statues to the very doorways of the Mountain laid the red carpet for the king, his court, and those who wish an audience.

      King Hornbrand turned to Maurice and his three companions. He requested for them to dismount and hand the reigns to someone. A score of Dwarves, and Gnomes came to take their steeds away to the stables. Luckily they had one Uwaux Caretaker/Handler or these Jumbo Cats. About three to four dwarves handled the goats and yakox while the Uwaux handled their large cats. He mumbled to the steeds in his native tongue. All the gnomes and rest of the dwarves took the bags of weapons off the Yakox’s back.

      When the steeds and pack mule were led away to some stables Hornbrand and his son took them inside. All along the red carpet were lines of Guardsmen, Royal Guards, and Green Rangers standing guard. The vigilance from the guards could be felt on every inch of his body. Sweat started to pour from his pores drenching his clothes. Commando Viyamor continued following Hornbrand and his son to the gates of Mount Ayalim. Every foot of the gate was carved with decorative designs with gold as the door frame. Over a score of large red garnets were encrusted on the door frame. The two Dwarf royalties approached the doors, which were opened at their approach.

      Without thinking Maurice followed the king and his son inside Mount Ayalim. Brittany, Hilastes, Amonif, and the baggage carriers followed his lead into the mountain. As they entered Ayalim several members of the King’s Court greeted them. A total of seven court members stood at the entrance. The King’s Groom of the Stool, Doorward, Steward, Head Butler, Ushers, and main Herald greeted and welcomed them inside. King Hornbrand and his son said hello to each member. A tall Dwarf with a black beard eyed Maurice with some suspicion. It was only due to the Dwarf’s position in Hornbrand’s Court. At the entrance they came upon what appeared to be a city carved into the interior of the mountain. From the looks of things his multiple greeters brought them inside a city full of dwarves and gnomes.

      Ayalim’s interior at the entrance was carved to resemble a machicolation. Beyond this well-crafted and built machicolation the city inside appeared like houses on top of houses. It appeared like entire city blocks of apartment complexes and condominiums. The city itself was carved out of the mountain with homes and workshops around the entrance. As high as the group of homes stood none of them were as high as Ayalim’s ceiling. Past the homes they came to a vast chamber with support beams and pillars. Parts of the chamber were still under construction while other parts had markets, bakeries, and roaring fires cooking meals. There were various passageways and tunnels that led to other chambers and sections of the Mountain. Only one of these passageways led to the throne room.

      Inside the passageways Maurice spotted what looked like heavily armed guards turned out to be suits of armor.  Hornbrand took the party over to a golden hallway. This particular hallway had no statues At the beginning and end of this golden hallway stood four heavily armed guards. Hornbrand’s throne room was vast enough to put a couple of ships inside. The throne room was an octagonal shape with tapestries handing on each wall. A statue, urn, large vase on a pedestal, large crystal, and a glass orb sat bellow the banner-tapestries. At the central end of the throne room was the throne itself. It stood on a seven foot tall platform carved from stalagmite. The throne itself stood six feet tall made from stone with a large Topaz above the seat.

      At the feet of the platform was the reward for the weapons and ammunition. The reward consisted of five medium sized chests full of gold coins, gems, rubies, and lots jewelry. Sassaek Hornbrand went over to the chests and pushed each one towards Maurice. The Dwarves and Gnomes carrying the bags of weapons and ammunition placed them to the side in the throne room. Each one bowed before leaving them. Maurice, Brittany, Hilastes, and Amonif grabbed a chest for themselves letting Prince Kulem to deal with the last one. He ordered for a man servant to pick it up. The Head Butler escorted the smugglers and commandos to their guest sleeping quarters.

      Hornbrand had given them guest room to stay in and invited them to dine with him and his court. Every single guest room was located in the southwestern wing of Ayalim’s grand citadel that faced the Qad Rise. Once he settled in a circular room Maurice took a bath and changed into a nicer set of clothes one of the servants laid out for him on his bed. He exited his room to find a servant waiting on him. His companions came out of their rooms in party attire for dining. Amonif and Hilastes wore matching dining clothes whereas Brittany wore a dazzling blue dress. Maurice could not help but keep gazing at her as they proceeded to the dining hall.

      Once there they entered a vast chamber decorated for a special occasion and long tables for a party of eight hundred or so. It was filled with guards, captains, nobility, members of Hornbrand’s Court and other relatives of the Royal Family. Hornbrand spotted them and darted for them. The Dwarf King brought them to his table and asked them to dine next to him and his son. All four joined the King who sat at the head of the table of nobles, members of his Court and commanders of his own army. Amongst the Court of three hundred and forty were one hundred and twenty seven gnomes. These Gnomes had status’ and professions such as Key Houlders, Sages, Alchemists, and Royal Sorcerers. Other members of the Court included Pages, Secretaries, more Butlers, Doorwards, Cupbearer, Almoners, and plenty of Constables.

      Their feast lasted a good while in the night, but still seemed short for a Dwarf’s feast. Maurice assumed it was due to Ayalim’s plans to prepare for any future attacks from the Beast Men and Purple Beasts of both the Crehx, and the southern tribes. It was also to make defenses for another threat to the north Orcs, and a division of lesser Gantronese troops still in the Sarcagos. The King left them alone to their sleep Brittany had retired to her own quarters after two glasses of the finest wines. Hilastes and Amonif stayed for a drinking contest and some games amongst the patrons.

      Maurice got up and was permitted the King’s leave for some rest for the next day’s travel. He left the feast after warning the two Unseen Bears to get some rest before tomorrow’s journey. Alone Maurice took the way they had went to get to the Dining Hall. Along the way to the citadel Maurice could not help but feel that he was not alone aside from the statues, and standing armor. In a long hall Maurice had this notion that he was being stalked, no hunted by someone. He tried to shrug it off but something moved in the darkness of the ceiling behind him. The commando heard something move drawing his attention to the ceiling of the main hall to the citadel.

      He studied the darkness trying to decipher anything suspicious that could stand out in the ceiling. Unfortunately the darkness enshrouded everything forcing him to give up. Maurice then decided to stay put and wait for this assassin to come get him. This just encouraged the figure in the dark to come out his hiding spot. He heard someone drop on to the floor their feet landed on the stone floor.

      Maurice turned around armed with a dirk he received in the chest. He faced an assassin dressed in dark leather cloak the assassin tossed to the floor. This assassin stalker revealed his dark gray clothes with a blood red shirt underneath, brown gloves, brown boots, and a black bandana holding a head scarf used to cover the face. This assassin had brownish skin with a mustache and a goatee showing he was from Koriv. This Korivian assassin was armed with a long knife coated in red, an old flintlock pistol, and a short dagger.

      Without warning Maurice threw his dirk at the arm wielding the pistol hoping to scratch him or force a wasted shot. His dirk nailed the assassin in the forearm forcing a reflex to pull the trigger as the Korivian jerked from the impact and pain. His would be assassin grabbed his arm dropping the pistol while holding the long knife. Maurice charged the assassin and performed a kick knocking the assassin to the ground. He picked up the pistol and stood over the assassin. The assassin tried to jab him with the long knife, but Maurice brushed the stroke to the side with the pistol. Maurice proceeded to beat the assassin senseless with the buttress of the pistol. He did so with such brute force and aptitude that the assassin dropped the long knife. Determined to get this fight over with Maurice snatched the long knife and stabbed the Korivian finishing him off. Maurice now stood over the corpse of the assassin realizing he had probably angered someone powerful enough to hire an assassin to go after him. He took the long knife from the corpse and the pistol as prizes to keep. Tired and a little drunk from the party Maurice retired to his guest room. 

Nazdar with Flamethrower sketchwork

Tank Commander Adalet Chapter

The battle for Dorntalla was the fiercest tank battle he had ever experienced. It was also the longest battle recorded in history that involved tanks and other types of armor. Commander Temel Asil Adalet perched himself on the turret of a Dragon tank he commanded. His crew cleaned the tank, scrubbing the dust and ashmarks off the turret, tracks, and the engine so it would run with little trouble the next morning. They had to clean around him before he sat in the seat to let them clean the spot he previously sat on. When it was cleaned he ordered one crew member to refuel the the tank while the rest of them went to get supplies and ammo for the tank. The last time they go supplies was a month ago. It was just an hour ago before they cleaned the tank when a crew member discovered they had just three rounds left for the turret. Commander Adalet had four men under his command to run his Dragon tank. There was a driver to driver it, an engineer to fix the mechanical problems, the gunner for the turret, and a loader who loaded the shells for the gunner. The loader also fired the secondary machine gun on the tank. Temel served three positions, he served as the commander, the spotter, and the top machine gunner whenever he was in the safety of the turret.

Temel looked around them seeing hundreds of tanks scattered around the area. There were a few towns and villages insight. Each settlement was surrounded by a score of tanks. Most of the tanks around them were already destroyed from the previous battle. Slaad tanks, Dragon tanks, and a few Chimera tanks located here and there were amongst the destroyed tanks. There were far more Slaad tanks destroyed in the field then theirs. The kill ratio was hundred to one despite the superior numbers of the Slaad tanks and the Gantronese artillery.

Most of the artillery were found on the edges of the settlements. Gantronese forces had them hidden behind buildings and in the streets aimed at the south. A few were aimed at the entrances to the towns. The Vestrisians were lucky that the Zema Ilam here rose up in rebellion against the Gantronese. Those Zema Ilam who inhabited the towns and villages killed the Gantronese and commandeered scores of artillery pieces. Those same people turned the Gantronese’ weapons against them when the Vestrisian forces arrived.

 Temel’s Dragon tank had an artillery piece to its left twenty feet away. Ten feet away on their right were a couple of Chuul tanks. Behind them was a mix of CHuul tanks, Dragon tanks, and Chimeras. All the Chuul tanks were destroyed along with a few Dragon tanks. There was another Chuul tank fifty feet in front with smoke still rising from where it was hit. It was charred from the flames and blast from an enemy round hitting it. This tanks no longer had a turret. It was blown off when a Vestrisian tank shot it in the midst of the battle and pursuit.

If Temel or anyone else looked at the field behind him they would se an entire field covered in destroyed tanks, artillery and the aftermath of the prolonged battle over Dorntalla. Thousands of Gantronese bodies also littered the field. They would even see more settlements and flesh eating birds like crows or vultures that circled above them for weeks. These flocks of birds pecked at the flesh of those who lay dead on the field. It was rumored amongst populace and the men that the destruction from the battle extended all over Dorntalla from Nevkamuu all the way to the southern part of Zekmar. Commander Adalet and the tank army he travelled with were now deep in the southern part of Zekmar. Temel and his crew came all the way from the unknown lands. They went through Borvados and the strip of land that was for some reason part of Morgladr. From that strip of land they took transports to the coast of Dorntalla. Getting through those areas was easy and straight forward. Even the trip across the strait was easy and the landing was like a walk on the beach. What was hard was getting out of the unknown lands and fighting through Dorntalla.

He did not dare think of the godforsaken lands they entered five years ago. That was when they were defeating the Gantronese and Mulzan and their superiors wanted to investigate the Unknown lands. There they found some Gantronese presence where they were. It was this year they exited those lands around the same time they are attacked again. This time the Republic and its ally were attacked in several places. The Nazdar struck first launching an invasion with a horde of allies from some underworld and a mountain range he can’t remember the name of. Months later they are invaded by the Gantronese who retook Zekmar and Dorntalla. The enemy took over most of the Gaskouth Ladai coast and pushed into Nevkamuu from Dorntalla. Another few months pass and they are attacked again.

Even though they were winning against the Gantronese in Gaskouth Ladai and Nevkamuu, Al-Dadoria and the Boathrin Kingdom come under attack. Gontrellan, Nazdar and Gantronese fleets launch an invasion on multiple islands. From some reports over the radio they all heard most of the invasions failed, but two islands of Al-Dadoria were taken. That was a blow to the Republics while they were fighting the Gantronese in Zekmar. He pondered for a moment how the defenders fought and tried to hold on. The Gantronese and Nazdar probably overwhelmed the first island together and then launched the bulk of their forces on the main island before taking the second island. Thinking of Al-Dadoria’s defenses gave him a head ache since the islands were a loss to the Vestrisian Republic. Temel looked down and saw that his crew was finished with cleaning, refueling, and resupplying the Dragon tank. All four of them rested on a few tank cushions they managed to salvage from other tanks. They turned the salvaged cushions and turned them into a couple of couches. After the battle crews went all over the battlefield scavaging whatever parts they found useful. Some managed to find tanks with cushions that weren’t burned or destroyed. It was better than looting the settlements around them, since those were still inhabited by the Zema Ilam. Such actions would sever the alliance with the Zema Ilam.

Temel reflected back on their journey starting from some hell hole swamps and marsh next to a city full of crazed cannibals unaligned with them or the Gantronese. Both the Vestrisian Republics and the Gantronese invaders were enemies to this cannabilistic society within the unknown lands. Temal thanked Al-Hana they had pulled out of such a nightmare. It was no wonder it they were called the unkown lands. Every outsider who entered the place was either sacrificed after receiving great hospitality. Others were executed, killed then eaten or ambushed out of nowhere. There were several accounts that reached their ears concerning a few diplomats and soldiers gone missing. Later on their fates were discovered from those captured or mutilated bodies were found in the swamps.

Fortunately, the Vestrisian forces were able to make some allies who guided them through the swamps and jungles of tall grass. Those guides took them on trails that strayed from the territories of the cannibals and murderers. Many of the guides were from other city-states who were at war with the cannibals. While he was there Temel found it settling to know not all of these people were cannibals. It was enough for Temel and his crew to get their tank through the bamboo forests in Borvados. In the tall grass of this unknown world it was not possible without cutting through it every inch of the way. Several tanks were lost because of the natives had booby traps set up and mines laid out. Over the course of five years they lost thirteen thousand if not more brave souls in the unknown lands.

Temel tried to suppress those memories with other thoughts of the past. His mind went to the long battle just fought last week that turned into a pursuit they were still on. For one long month and half the 2^nd Vestrisian Armoured Field Army butchered its way through Dorntalla and into Zekmar. A hundred thousand foot soldiers charged with the tanks as they demolished waves of Chuul tanks. Temel chuckled when he recalled the very first day of the battle for Dorntalla.

The Gantronese were in full force scouring the entire region of Dorntalla. Every Gantronese in Dorntalla were in search of Vestrisians and Zema Ilam who continued to resist. There were still a significant amount of Vestrisians and Zema Ilam who fought on even though most of their positions were overrun. None of the Gantronese commanders bothered to secure the coast. Their orders to destroy the enemy made them focus on hunting the enemy to leave themselves blind of other armies coming in. This allowed the 2^nd army to land on Dorntalla and takes the coast with ease.

Opportunity struck and the entire 2^nd army began their assault three days after their arrival. As the Gantronese search an army of Dragon tanks stormed in as one massive wave that pounded the Gantronese artillery, machinegun nests, Chuul tanks and outposts all across Dorntalla. Their sudden assault caught the blind enemy off guard. Many Gantronese infantry died in the first assault while the survivors ran for their lives to bolster the next group, which killed them all for retreating. Only surviving CHuul tanks gave a fierce fight, but were soon over powered. Some managed to escape while others tried to keep up the fight on the move in retreat. The ones who fought on forced the Dragon Tanks to pursue the retreating Gantronese for a whole day. As they pursued the Gantronese they came across more Gantronese forces from artillery teams to more CHuul tanks. There were plenty of infantry with anti-tank weapons, which gave the Dragon tank divisions headaches. A few Dragon Tanks were destroyed, but many of them were damaged as a result. About a thousand tanks had to be repaired before the rest of the army could move on. This went on for a week as each battle was getting fiercer every day. By the second week Muzad, Zema Ilam, and other Vestrisian Armour entered Dorntalla through Nevkamuu. That assault came as a surprise for the Gantronese who did not expect an attack from Nevkamuu. Nevkamuu was mostly a desert but somehow the Umber Hulk tanks and Chimera tanks traversed the desert.

Temel heard from other Commanders that on the second week the Umber Hulks and Chimeras ran into the bulk of the CHuul tank army, which was aided by artillery and infantry. Both tank types crushed the CHuul tank army and their support in a three day fight. That week they had to stop for eight days then move on for another push into Dorntalla. During one of these mass pursuits of the Chuul Armour and Infantry the Dragon Divisions linked up with the Umber Hulks and Chimeras. For two more weeks both armies joined up and forced the Gantronese out, killing countless infantry and tank alike as they pushed their way to the borders of Zekmar.

It was on the fourth week when they had the Gantronese Chuul tanks trapped at the border. The Zema Ilam living along the Zekmar and Dorntalla borders rose up against the Gantronese. They took over their positons and fired on the Gantronese using the Gantronese’ own weapons. The heaviest fighting was on the border where numerous Gantronese fell and CHuul tanks were shot and destroyed every minute. Scores of tanks were killed each minute as the battle raged on over the borders. This one fight lasted for two days and at nightfall the remnants if Chuul tanks made it out.

It was just this morning when they found a large number of artillery teams and CHuul tanks waiting for them at this very spot. The morning battle was swift and fierce with tanks shooting at each other for hours. Temel’s tank destroyed ten CHuul tanks and demolished five artillery pieces. Commander Adalet was becoming renowned for his kills on the field. He pondered over the various kills he made this past month. In each engagement he outgunned his opponents each time, shooting while moving around. At one point in the battle he maneuvered around an unsuspecting CHuul tank that was too focused on other tanks, and shot him in the engine. His victim blew up in a large explosion. Seeing this explosion lit his eyes up with satisfaction.

He even recalled one foolish enemy tank that tried to make a run for it after shooting at him. Unfortunately for the Chuul tank his shot missed Temel’s tank by four feet. He ordered for their turret to aim for the moving target that was trying to get away. It was taken out once the turret locked on and fired one round. That was the one he was looking at with the smoke still rising from it. There were a few more kills he added to the ten he got from this battle. The battle here ended with a few Chuul tanks and Gantronese infantry fleeing before them.

For the remainder of the day they all sat idle waiting for new orders to move on the Gantronese forces located near Zelhinan. Rumors were starting to spread amongst all the men in the tank divisions. These rumors started not long ago, most came from radio broadcasts and local travelers who went from town to town. Temel heard such rumors being spoken of amongst his own crew who must have gotten them from others. The Commander himself even heard these rumors from officers, and infantry talking amongst themselves whenever they passed his quarters or tent.

Such rumors included rebels coming down from the mountains they saw on the way to Dorntalla. These were the mountains he saw while he was at sea. They were the large mountain range that separated Zekmar, Dorntalla and Mulzan from the Unkown lands. To the cannibal kingdoms and city-sates these mountains were known as the Galacho Zoxo Mountains, but to the Zema Ilam and Borvados they were called the Vegud Nepa Mountains. There were other names to these mountains that signified death and more horrible fates would fall upon those who ventured those mountains. These names made his skin crawl and the hairs on the back of his neck stand up whenever he thought of them or whenever someone mentioned them. These rebels who were coming down from those mountains attacked numerous Gantronese positions. The same rumors included how long these rebels have been raiding and ambushing the Gantronese.

Other rumors were about some mass jailbreak along the coast that released an army of prisoners held by the Gantronese. If this was true then the Gantronese would have to split their forces and fight on three or four fronts in Zekmar. Everything was going well for the Vestrisian Army and her allies for these past few months. As he watched the smoke from his latest kill evaporate, Temel listened to his crew chat to each other. When he listened closely he heard them mention the rumors to themselves.

“I heard something about resistance rising all over Zekmar, and the people rising up attacking Gantronese troops everywhere.” Unan said to the crewmembers Jan, Sentas, and Mosa.

“If there is Unan then it will be small resistance springing up all over Zekmar.” Jan replied.

“Bah! It does not matter! The Gantronese could be sending in more men as we are sitting here!” Sentas scoffed.

“The more men they send the more men we kill and they waste Sentas!” Unan responded in a mock tone.

Jan laughed with the others, but the fourth one remained quiet even the Commander who was watching them from the top of the turret. It was Mosa who was the quiet one who did not speak this time. To the crew it seemed strange for Mosa to be this quiet. He was never a quiet fellow.

“Mosa why are you so quiet today? You are the loudest and talkative of us all. What is wrong?” Jan asked the fourth crewman named Mosa.

Mosa shrugged and told them the truth. “I guess it’s just that Borvados is breaking away from the Vestrisian Republic.” He said to his comrades.

“Borvados is breaking away from the Vestrisian Union?” Temel broke into the conversations.

“Yes Commander, the nation of Borvados wants to break away from the Vestrisian Union. That is what Mosa just told us.” Jan answered looking up at their Commander.

“Mosa, aren’t you from Borvados?” Commander Temel asked Mosa.

“I suppose so, I mean I am from there sir, but my loyalty lies toward the Vestrisian Union.” Mosa stated to his fellow crew members and Commander.

“Why is that Mosa? Weren’t you born and raised in Borvados as well?” Unan asked, questioning Mosa’s reasons for not showing loyalty towards his native land.

“Borvados may be the country I was born in, but I never felt welcomed there. Odd enough as that is, no one showed me true respect and friendship there until I joined the V.A.V.R. I had found a home there and a true family who loves and respects me.” Mosa told them.

“So did the Vestrisian Army give you a home to belong to and a family in the Vestrisian Republic?” Jan asked him.

 “I understand that Borvados does require every child born there to show loyalty to their birthplace. Yet you showed none of it towards Borvados and your own family even though it was required of you by law.”

Temel looked down at the Borvados native knowing the crewman felt like an outcast within his own country. When Mosa joined the Vestrisian Vestrisian Army he found more embrace than he ever had from his own family. Even at a young age the Borvadosian had little to no love from the people he lived with except from his mother who showed to him whenever they were alone. That was all the love he ever spoke of to his own Commander when they fought side by side in the unknown lands. Commander Adalet would have continued asking Mosa about Borvados’ reasons for leaving the Union except a Major approached their tank. This Major rode on a new vehicle called a jeep that was produced in Kaniima.

“All tanks prepare to role forward! This is the final push to Zelhinan!” the Major yelled as he passed them. He then turned to another crew and shouted the same orders to them.

“You heard him, get this beautiful steel beast up and ready! We’re rolling out now!” Temel commanded as he took his seat in the turret and closed the hatch.

His crewmen did as he commanded them and followed his lead entering the tank through side doors and other hatches on the tank. Commander Adalet felt the engines turn on as it rumbled causing vibration in the tank. He now had three Dragon tanks under his command plus two Chimeras, which were given to him two days ago. He originally started with one tank and acquired a few more under his command as he proved his skills at leading and commanding in the battle. As commander he looked out again to check if the other tanks were ready to roll out. Once he popped his head out and signed to each commander they signed back saying their tank was ready. Temel gave the signal and all five tanks rolled out following another line of tanks that formed the vanguard.

Behind them was another line of tanks forming up one of the rear lines. Each line was in rows and columns of tanks. Dragons, Chimeras, and Umber Hulk tanks all made the rear lines of thisone wave. To their right were four Umber Hulk tanks each one flanked by Dragons and Chimeras on each side. Those giant Umber Hulk tanks were good for bombardments, taking out Wyverns, demolishing nests, and sinking ships. The Dragon and Chimera tanks worked as anti-infantry and anti-tank armour. Chimera tanks had superiority in terms of speed, armor, power and the number of barrels over the Dragon tanks. It was not to say the Dragon Tank wasn’t powerful, for it still proved its worth since the start of this entire war.

As Temel rode on top he put on his headphones to listen to commands, updates and other reports over the radio. When he put them on and switched the radio on he heard numerous voices at once, static, and commands shouted. These were all the sounds he heard as the drowned out the engines. Over the radio he heard that their next target were lines of trenches, artillery, Tanks, machine gun nests, and countless infantry waiting for them. These were the barriers between them and the city of Zelhinan.

He also heard something about resistance and rebels shooting down Wyvern transports in Zekmar. These transports the rebels were shooting down were bound for Zelhinan. Each of these were carrying cargo of supplies, weapons, ammunition, tanks, artillery and infantry to the front lines in the center of Zekmar. As he listened to all of this he wanted to say something like the state of Borvados was leaving the Union. He imagined someone asking him why and him say it was because it was not part of the Vestrisian continent. An even more true answer would be along the lines of diplomats and representatives of Borvados were killed somewhere in Naatidra by Nazdar scum. The Commander chose not to say any of this, fearing persecution, and court martial from his superiors.

The next day they passed a large lake with the city of Zelhinan standing next to it like a mountain range. To the west of this lake the 2^nd army ran into a large bastion of Slaad tanks whom fired the first shots at the front lines. Temel ordered his crews to aim their tanks at one of them and fire over the vanguard lines, returning fire. In seconds everyone exchanged fire with the enemy tanks pushing towards their positions.