Commando Part 41

Clenching his fists out of frustration Maurice commanded his party to head back before the executions began. He and his entire group shouldered their way back through the cluster of Khasungai. Ignoring glares, stares, shouting, shoving, and threats Maurice's party got through the markets when a group of hooded and cloaked figures stood in their path. Fed up with this type of encounter Maurice was about to attack. His hand went for his weapon when the one in the middle held out his hand. He spoke in Vestrisian with an Uxane accent. The Uxane sounding cloaked figure ordered for Maurice and his party to stand down. His commands were obeyed but they seemed more suspicious about their identities. This leading figure kept speaking and said they were to meet them back at their dwell after some business was finished. Whoever their leader was handed a note to Maurice who also told him to forget about the Khasungai girl. He informed Maurice to go back to their dwelling they will meet them there. The thirteen mysteriously cloaked figures left them with a few last words to get rid of the remaining gangs.

Maurice turned to his party feeling confused yet had a hunch they might be the Vestrisians they were looking for. Behind them he heard the crowd roar with approval as voices screamed and shouted. Scores of Khasungai rushed past them heading over to the scene of the executions. His party crossed a few bridges that brought them through a few sections of the city. As they progressed through the sections more Khasungai citizens passed them without even saying a word. When they crossed the fourth bridge a group of goons and gunslingers rushed over to block their path. There must have been twenty or more who chose to go after them.

He did not pay attention to what these men wore. Maurice whipped out his knife and threw it at the one in the middle. It struck the goon in the chest. Maurice's own party charged the goons and gunslingers. Some of them shot at the goons before they could even form up. Others such as Minerva, and Toberis ran them through. He did not see what his other companions did sine he was too busy taking out another goon. This engagement ended quickly despite the odds against them. Maurice paused to look around their surroundings. No one else was in sight except for a group of guards who came rushing up to their location. Maurice's party and new companions prepared for another confrontation with the guards this time. The Lieutenant and his eight companions expected the guards to fire them. Instead these guards rushed over to them. Leading them was an Uxane appearing guard who began to question them in his language. Minerva tried to talk to the guard into letting Maurice's party pass through. To no avail her words did not get through to them. Toberis attempted to talk them out of keeping them and move on. The guards just surrounded them showing distrust and suspicions. Most of them were armed with spears and rifles from the other nations outside their world. Both Nevradit half elves kept trying to convince the guards in letting them pass. After several minutes of arguing the two Nevradit nearly gave into the will of Khasungai. They would have to hand over their weapons.

Maurice felt powerless to stop these Khasungai who were about to grab their own weapons. All around them more goons and gunslingers came out of their hiding places armed with a variety of firearms. Maurice looked over heads and shoulders of the Khasungai. He did not get the right estimates, but he counted more than 39 gunslingers and goons. Their attackers opened fire on the unsuspecting Khasungai without warning. Numerous Khasungai guards dropped like flies at the bridge. The rest of them got down or dove for cover. Several guards fired back alongside the Lieutenant's party.

His companions and the Khasungai found themselves caught off guard by this sudden ambush. Each one returned fire against their attackers killing a few before getting back down. Inside this section of the city Maurice's party and a score of Khasunguai managed to engage their attacks in a shootout. Their flanks were partially surrounded leaving room for a possible escape and retreat. However, they did not attempt this or pull back. Each attacker had them pinned down. Maurice and his companions had to use bodies for cover. Firing back came seldom since these attackers kept up the heat on them. For several minutes they laid low behind cover dealing with the heavy fire. Maurice looked over a body to shoot at one of the attackers. His shot hit the goon but didn't kill him right away. He got down again with his back against the cover.

A large force of Khasungai warriors and soldiers rushed into the scene of the fight. He counted more than one hundred armed Khasungai coming to engage the troublemakers. In a single wave the Khasungai raced over to fight the goons and gunslingers. Maurice watched them rush past the corpses of the fallen. His still lay on the ground when one Khasungai received a few shots from a shotgun. Not one of the Khasungai noticed the party of warriors on the ground.

While the two groups were locked in a shootout inside the inner section of Khasungai Maurice found a chance to get out of the fire. Right in the thick of the fight Maurice commanded his party to get out of there. Obeying his orders his party of eight soldiers and warriors got up and made a run for the section closest to their dwelling. Under the noses of the Khasungai, Maurice's party fled to the southwest portion of the city.

They took a leftward turn to another bridge. It seemed like they were making a full U-turn to reach their destination. Wasting no time, commando and his party raced through the city. Rushing through the city was a quicker way to make it through the sections. In what felt like no time they made it to their dwelling. Here they found the thirteen cloaked figures standing at the entrance. Maurice and his party came to a stop to finally meet these figures. He ordered his unit to go grab whatever they brought and pack it up. All six of his party members went inside as he had ordered. Minerva and Toberis stood by him perplexed over who they were. Toberis requested for these figures to reveal themselves immediately. In unison the thirteen figures pulled back their hoods to show their faces. Maurice recognized the various Vestrisian facial groups and races such as the Castarians, Muzad, Zema Ilam exiles, Naatridans, Boathrin, and a few Forsythans. At least one of the Naatidrans were elvish in appearance.

Thirteen Vestrisians gave their names to the commando's party Private Bogrus, Sergeant Aluk Merrins, Private Gorbovich, Sergeant Coros, Corporal Emantis, Private Black-Red, Private, Voking, Private Noel Pennson, Corporal Gerin, Sergeant Tarlos, Lieutenant Zomere, Lieutenant Razif, and Private Azan Mogul. Lieutenant Rosan Zomere explained why they were in Khasungai. He told her what happened to their until and where they began their mission to search for missing Vestrisians. Zomere mentioned the Vestrisians who traveled to some fort, which Maurice confirmed were already at the fort.

She wanted to get out today but that would have to wait for another day two since they would be gathering things up. Maurice pointed out they should have done so beforehand. He wasn't sure if there were more Vestrisians in the area. He shook hands with each Vestrisian giving them a pat on the shoulder. Some of them hit him lightly happy to see another Vestrisian again. Once he said his goodbyes to his countrymen, he turned to the duo who bid him goodbye. Maurice returned to their dwelling where he brought out his hand radio to contact Maphai. He attempted to contact he several times before giving up. It was not long before he heard her voice on the other end.

Maurice stood up nearly jumping in the air. He gave his report to her who must have handed it to a superior officer who addressed him as Lieutenant. The Lieutenant informed the Major of what was going on and their discoveries inside Khasungai. The Major asked him who did he find and how many were in Khasungai. He quickly named the Vestrisians giving their ranks. The Major cut him off saying a few more Vestrisians had come in. Maphai's voice returned over the radio. He asked if she had been in contact with Odeliah, their pirate friend. Odeliah had been in Oceanrest Var, Kilscar Orvain, and Oramatra picking up stragglers, and some Vestrisians. To him this was good news that was music to his ears. Good news like this was always welcome to his ears in this part of the world.