Commando Part 24

Each of these missing soldiers appeared very surprised and had the look of joy. Ordovacar, and Safrax gave Maurice and Taregan a hug over joyed that the Vestrisian Army had not forgotten them and left them for dead. Maurice felt a few tears on his shirt from overwhelming joy that someone had come to rescue them. He did the best he could to calm them down as did Taregan who was not very used to this or hadn't been since he hung around the gangs that focused more attention against the Gantronese than harassing locals. Even Maurice did not have to comfort a child or someone crying for a long time. Each one felt a little awkward but understood the pain and neglect these soldiers felt after being labeled missing in action.

Once Safrax, Greymirson, and Ordovacar stopped crying they regained themselves. Sorrowmind asked Maurice how he found them all and did they come across Lieutenant Overton who rarely visited but did note where they lived. The commando gave him the details of how he secured the Sarcagos Mountain's through alliances, and conquest. He even explained the details of his orders to bring any lost soldiers over to the Borvadosian coasts or to a safer port. Then he realized he had forgotten his true mission, go southwest to the city-state of Rednight Fangsir. Nearly forgetting the newly found soldiers were there Maurice fumbled through his pockets for those orders he took from Colonel Bryce's desk. When he found them in a lower pocket he opened the folded pieces almost ripping them up in the haste. As he scanned through them he discovered that not only was he to go to this Vampire city-state, but to collect any dog tags he found, and send any found soldiers towards the southeastern shores or the nearest shores for evacuation.

A mass amount of relief swept over him as sweat came out his pores. His heart raced just realizing what he was actually supposed to do was part of his mission. This commando had been doing that this entire time. In moments he folded the papers back up and placed them in a pocket dry of his own sweat. As he calmed down he contacted Maphai who told him to bring the found soldiers over to Kunmar. The moment he got off the radio Maurice turned to these Vestrisians. He told them where he was taking them and that they should gather whatever they needed.

All five of these former MIA soldiers nodded in agreement showing their readiness to get the sverx out of this place. Taregan told them where their steeds were and they may have to continue on foot. Each of the five Vestrisian soldiers rushed back to their huts so they could gather belongings and provisions. While the two waited Maphai's voice came up on the radio asking Maurice where he was located. He checked the map Overton gave him providing the coordinates and location. When he gave her the location the radio signal cut off and he heard nothing but static. Maurice made several attempts to get the signal back and contact Maphai to clarify that she got his data. He tried again and again, but still got nothing through except the static.

Right as he gave up trying to contact the five Vestrisians approached them with their belongings, hunting spears, harpoons, old rifles, and sacks on their backs or shoulders. He looked from the five Vestrisians to Taregan back and forth realizing he could not turn down the proposal to walk back to Kumnir. His gaze went over to where Hilastes waited for them at the entrance to this settlement. They had been here for less than an hour. The Unseen Bear must have been bored out of his mind and their cat steeds were asleep and in no mood to be woken up. With the five Vestrisians and the Uwaux Prowler Maurice began his way towards the Unseen Bear and their steeds.

The second the group began to move something caught their attention. Turning around Maurice saw several figures that did not belong to the tribe. Six figures stood out from the rest of the native inhabitants. These figures inched towards the commando and his companions in middle of the village. A female duelist wearing a scarf shawl, a revealing top that appeared more like a strapless bra, black tight trousers of rough linen, large belt, high boots, and a chain leg brace around her upper leg. She was armed with a straight saber. Flanking her were two males armed with weapons. One only had a sleeveless coat-vest, baggy trousers, arm braces, a tattoo covering the upper part of his head, and no boots. For a weapon he was armed with a wooden club with metal rings. The other male was a tall long haired man with a thing mustache, and cocky expression. He basically wore the typical white shirt of a champion duelist, and fine blue trousers, and black boots armed with a rapier. He looked ready to take them on one by one.

Behind these three stood three other figures a Gantronese Soldier wearing the usual Gantronese uniform, a scientist wearing goggle headset, a large apron like vest with all sorts of gadgets and full pockets over a yellowish shirt and bluish pants. He had a mechanical looking arm and a heavily gloved arm wielding what appeared to be a modified piece from a radio jamming device. This other fellow was a well dressed, long haired wizard wielding a metal looking wand. These six outlandish looking pirates, duelists, scientists, brawlers, and Gantronese approached the Vestrisians as though they were about to attack. Just the way these six approached them made them appear more amateurish. These six were not your typical hired bounty hunter, or hired thug. Taregan face palmed these would be bounty hunting, duelist, adventurers. The female told them to lay down their arms and come with them to Caligari as a prize.

All seven Vestrisians and Uwaux looked at them with unimpressed expressions at these amateurish fighters. Maurice pulled out his pistol and pointed the firearm at these six amateur fighters. The five Vestrisians did the same thing whereas Uwaux made his way back towards the village entrance. Maurice forced these six fighters, wizard, and scientist to give up this fight and leave them alone. Many bounty hunters, Gantronese, beasts, savage, and goon have died by his hand. He told them to send word to Caligari to sverx off these hunters, and goons. All six froze with fear realizing what type of danger this target posed to them. Even if they did make it to him none would be able to kill him easily. Admitting defeat the six would be hunters left Maurice and his Vestrisian brethren to their journey.

The commando watched these blind amateurs turn back to the boat they had come on and leave the village. He turned to the entrance and made his way back to the steeds and his companions with five found Vestrisians who had been missing for years. Dismounted Maurice, Taregan, and Hilastes made their way back to Kunmir with five extra companions. On foot it took them the rest of the day and part of the night. Along the way back to Kunmir they had to set up camp during the night so the journey would be illuminated by the daylight. In the morning they did not waste time setting out once breakfast was over. At the pace of a hiker they found themselves getting closer to Kunmir. It was a slow and cautious trek to the Inn where they met the locals and the companions who stayed to bury the dead companions.

Brittany, Oraceth, and Eyanosa greeted them at the entrance whereas Amonif was still asleep in his bed after a long night of drinking, and arm wrestling with the Orcs. The five Vestrisians they brought with them surprised the other companions who did not expect to see any living Vestrisians out here. As they got the five Vestrisians settled Maurice told his companions about the Vestrisians they came across and the Caligari thugs being sent after them. He let this all sink in as he contacted Maphai about transporting the five soldiers to a port in the east. She told him to wait until the mercenaries returned or the pirates came back before doing anything. Maurice took these words as orders and waited for both pirates and mercenaries to come pick them up.