While dining with the Mayor, Brynn Rosefire ordered for her Country Guards to head back to camp near the bridges. Olalyn did the same with his own. As for Kriski, he ate quickly and left with his company of Country Guards. Major Jakab sent his own Dragoons back to camp as well. This region know to some as Triangular Hills. While others call it the Overzealous Hills lay just 5 miles from the bridges. Almost intending to stay another night, Brynn looked outside a window in a guest room. Outside in the evening sky she caught sight of a stray camel wearing a military cap straggling around freely. The entrepreneur, Lulu Stormvale joined her on her right side. She wore a turquois blue night gown. It looked good on her tannish skin tone and dark hair.
"That camel belongs to a former Maiguard from Kaniima, a caravan guard for hire. She is currently acting as security here. Are you going off tomorrow? Or are you staying here?" Lulu asked her grabbing Brynn by the arm. The entrepreneur pressed her breasts against Brynn. Rubbing herself against the Captain Country Guard enticed her a little bit. Checking out Lulu's cleavage Brynn felt something rise up. Brynn did sleep around in her younger years. It mostly involved men, but no child was produced. Some women did sleep with her. That was mostly during the days of training, and keeping warm in winter or cold nights. Her gaze went to Lulu's face. She recalled her own children who reside in Stagville for her sake.
'There is a sheriff in Dinotzi Thumb who can please you better. She has three arms. Or is it three legs?" Brynn told Lulu unintentionally enticing Lulu even more to the point of arousal. It resulted in Lulu kissing her arm then her face. Brynn succumbed to desire grabbing Lulu by the cheeks then kissed her ferociously. This entrepreneur took Brynn to bed for the night. Seeing she had no other choice, Brynn slept with Lulu the entrepreneur. Maplebee swooped in through the window with dinner in her talons. Tonight's owl meal was a rat. Maplebee at it up on the windowsill. Brynn faced the window will Lulu rubbed herself against her. Brynn fondled Lulu for a good hour before dozing off to sleep.
A restful sleep was interrupted early after dawn. Scores of vehicles rolled in from many directions. Every vehicle either sounded like a tank, military vehicle, or civilian vehicles. Popping her head out of a window Brynn searched for the vehicles. Forced to go outside and find them Brynn dressed quickly. Exiting the Mayor's palace she went to the wall barriers where she could see them. At the 14 tank encampment 110 armored vehicles arrived. No more than 48 tank tracks with AA gun turrets attached, 14 armored cars with machinegun turrets, 28 Drake or Dragon tanks MKI's, 4 tank destroyers, and 2 armored Zedelet troop carriers arrived from the northwest. Among them was a single motor bike. The motor cyclist appeared to act as a scout for this company of armored vehicles.
In the pinkish orange sky eleven aircraft flew above them. Three old style aircraft from the Zegrav conflict and 8 ambulance rescue aircraft. All eleven flew in a wide slow circular formation. They appeared to be searching for a place to land.. Brynn stopped watching to get some breakfast. Going back to Collgard's Palace she found Major Jakab, Captain Olalyn outside. Both commanding officers already dressed for the day. Jakab acted oblivious to her presence. He marched over to the new arrivals. Seeing the motorcyclist in all brown leather and durable boots she grew disinterested in the conversation. Her gaze went all over the interior portion of the castle system. Behind the Mayor's Palace and next to the keep stood a Cathedral. Studying it she noticed it was a white temple in a Manor style architecture. In a few of the windows she spotted 6 guitars, and a grandfather clock.
Roaming around the interior wall she saw a little more that she missed. Along the road between the castle system and Fort Tricorne sat two stone houses. Five children ran out laughing and playing. Mothers came out yelling for them to come back when they call for them. Seeing the two story houses inhabited she returned to Collgard's. Lulu stood in the light blue dress that revealed too much cleavage. Hungry for breakfast she sauntered over to Lulu holding a tray of food. On the tray sat a plate of sausage patties surrounded by fruits. Disregarding manners Brynn scarfed down the food.
Looking at Lulu once she was done, Brynn could tell she already ate her own breakfast. Brynn was about to say good morning to her when Olalyn came up to them. Turning her head to greet him the Elf froze in his tracks. His gaze transfixed on the sky with an expression of concern. She turned around to see what Olalyn saw that made him concerned. A wave of 346 objects up in the sky flew towards them like a swarm. None of these looked like their own aircraft of the VUVR air force. Coming in from the south this wave of objects were apparently alien starfighters and what appeared to be bombers. These aircraft held shapes similar to dragonflies, two pronged daggers, claws, crescent moons, earless bats, spades, hearts, and brandistock spearheads.
"Sound the alarm! Everyone get to shelter!" someone yelled from Collgard's Palace window.
"To the Keep and bunkers now!" another person yelled.
Brynn fought the urge to run for cover. She watched this wave of fighters come under fire from AA guns on the ground. These alien fighters swooped down in a split formation, dropping bombs and unloading hell on their targets. She covered her own ears when the loud sirens came on. People rushed out of their homes to the keep for cover. Olalyn grabbed her by the arm like she was an idle clueless child. Her eyes did not leave the sight of these aircraft. Several of them went down from Anti-Air craft fire. Being dragged by arm she still witnessed their own aircraft zooming in to intercept this swarm. Olalyn took her to the safety of Collgard's Palace where a basement and bunker were installed. Checking the walls she could not help but wonder if this is how the Vullanese, Vimasdrans, Muskallans, and Gontrellans felt when Vestrisian bombers came. She heard many supported the Nazdar invaders, but did all of them support this alien empire that spread across Calorn?
Forced to hide from the bombs in the shelter of Collgard's basement Brynn wrenched herself free of Olalyn's grip almost like an unruly teen would. Brynn took a seat in a chair closest to the door to the stairs leading back up. Ignoring everyone else she allowed Lulu to finish dressing her. Hunkered down in the Collgard's bunker and basement they waited for the bombing runs to hit them. Silverdog was bombed twice in its history. The first time by Vestrisian Roguepunch bombers that are no long being produced during the 3rd Castarian War. As for the second time a squad of Zegrav Ablesparrow4's. Both wars were long over. She listened to the stories from Mayor Collgard's very lips for a few more minutes. Waiting for the bombs to hit follow by shaking, Brynn blocked everyone out.
Closing her eyes Brynn Rosefire saw flashbacks return to her. Ten years ago she was sort of in the Black Coats, whom aided the Blackmell settlements. Alongside 441 Black Coats, and thousands of others, Brynn fought against the Gontrellan forces. At one abandoned village they came under fire in an air raid. One soldier or more lost his mind as well as others. It made the efforts of 3228 mercenaries, 1015 militia, 2044 soldiers of Mergos state to nothing. Nearly 7000 came to the aid of nine small independent city-states, factions, and nearly 30,000 rebels(29,718). She recalled how a force of 200,000 Gontrellans engaged them and failed. Combining forces the 8 other states could only muster 10,200 together. To the south Boathria of Boathrin kingdom could only spare 315. Just 315 well equipped and trained troops who also had experience in warfare. Troops from their 5th regiment's Catspear battalion slipped in to fight Gontrella. Yet Gontrella's Flying-Wraith3s, and Hollow Darters did them in. Just 123 FW3s, and 327 HD8s swooped down on their positions. Recalling the scene of them getting bombed Brynn remembered an airship on the ground. It got riddled with holes from the swooping aircraft. Two bombs completely destroyed it, killing all those inside it. Trying not weep she could still see its destruction leaving 3 wild Dwarf Warriors, 2 Dark Elves, 2 female Elf Wizards, a male monk, and a female succubus blades woman without a home. This group chose to unite years before and travelled together. She never saw them again after that battle.
Each flashback slowly disappeared as each one ate at her mind. She also began recalling three structures they bombed. One fort manned by 53 soldiers, an old castle with 35 retainers, a temple hospital with a staff of 76, and 13 security guards. This all happened one decade ago while the final but 3rd Castarian conflict transpired. Technology such as electricity, automobiles, lights, telegraphs, phones, radios, and such emerged a century or so ago. It developed over time at a turtle's pace. No one was in a hurry. For 8 centuries gunpowder, muskets, cannons, and battle line formations reigned alongside old style weapons. She presumed Calorn's first working machinegun did not come into play until late in the Muskallan conflict of 1782 AN. Due to constant jamming it was trashed b some and reserved for defensive methods by the rest. Some prototypes exploded after overheating temperatures soared.
Coming back to the present, Brynn tried recalling how explosives did not pander well for rulers. This was for 713 years before the 1200's A.N. She blocked all the bombs, and shaking of the earth. That included everything that rattled in the earthquake after impact. She got up from the chair with Lulu clinging on to it. Brynn knew this was her second experience with an air raid bombing. Just looking at the Entrepreneur she could tell this was either her first time or it happened in the past. It also scared her.
"Is this the first time for you?" Brynn asked Lulu, who had wide eyes and the expression of fear frozen on her face. She did not respond to Brynn. Becoming concerned by this unresponsive behavior she reached a hand out to her.
"Do not worry about her Captain Rosefire. I will send for the apothecary and psychiatrist. You go do your duty." Collgard warded her away from Lulu, ordering her to attend to her duties as a Country-Guard.
Looking up at the ceiling she wondered why the bombing raid only lasted for an hour and a half long. No real answers came except for the arrival of 52 heavy Primeforce2s an the AA tanks. Brynn shrugged this off and joined Olalyn back to the surface. Noticing Major Jakab was not among them, her gaze shot to Olalyn. They were at the Palace entry hall when thee region outside exploded with gunfire. Getting down she peered through a ground level window. Through the glass pane she spied rebels, Gnolls, and Troglodytes attacking. As far as she could tell from watching the scene, not many of them got far. Machinegun fire proved too strong for the attackers. In her mind estimated hundreds of them attacking Triangular region. Several attackers rushed up to the Mayor's Palace. Brynn and Olalyn burst out of the Palace with pistols and melee weapons drawn. Protecting the Mayor's place become a priority. Only five rebels, Troglodytes, and Gnomes reached the palace. All the other rebels were mowed down by the tanks, AA Tanks, and troops in the area. When the guns fell silent they checked the casualties. About 90 wounded, and 27 dead for the VUVR. Seven AA tanks were hit, five Drake tanks were taken out of action. Other vehicles were hit but sustained minimal damage. Dozens of alien aircraft lay in the earth burning, smoldering, and in pieces.
Olalyn ordered for her to follow him. Doing so she mounted up to assess the damage and enemy casualties. Riding around the pair of them discovered several structures were hit. Most of the houses remained intact and unharmed. Moving on they also discovered a force of 2319 rebels, Gnolls and Troglodytes attacked according to a Grey Gnoll who died of his wounds. Redoing the estimates she calculated 707 Castarian rebels, 1009 Gnolls, 623 Troglodytes who had air support. This air support lost more than half its force before scattering in the skies. Their own aircraft that intercepted the swarm lost about ten or more aircraft. Passing an abandoned car on the road they spotted a few more aircraft. These crashed around at what appeared to be a baseball field surrounded by a chain fence. Completing her calculation she made a mental note of 207 downed aircraft radius of crashes stretching a mile or two away. They also found fifteen more of their own aircraft shot down. Pilots were climbing out. The ones still alive and uninjured. Other craft of theirs had also crashed in the dogfights that presumed in the skies.
Panic and hysteria hit some of the pilots who cut themselves loose from the cockpits. Other pilots rushed over to help them. Riding up to a group of pilots Brynn spied figures creeping along the earth. With just her elf sight, Brynn could spot twelve humanoids encroaching on these pilots. One of their own pilots fired a flare gun in the air. At the same time Brynn and Olalyn shot at the creepers. Using their revolvers and sabers both slew the encroaching hostile rebels. Their sudden attack scared the pilots, some of whom pulled out their own pistols. Circling around in search of more hostiles Brynn glanced at each kill. One Orc Cyclops, some grass eating monster, a Ghoulish brute, with bronze-brown skin, two Gnolls, a manticore with a strange collar, some mutant gargoyle with a strange tail, a cockatrice humanoid, one lime green mutated called a douger. She fought one douger last year. There was also a spikey squid, cycloptic Ogre, steer humanoid, a wolfman and a Gnoll made up the group of eleven creeps.
"...As I was saying there are the Storm Titan D4s, Elder Giant Bomber Fortresses, Vidothran Harpy3s, Hydraspawn7, Whirline Golem heavy bombers, those light blue Leviathans, and Vodwanian, Colossal Dragon bomber of the skies all engaged in a dogfight." one of the pilots tried finishing his story after it was interrupted.
"Hold up there Cerberus, bombers cannot engage in dogfights very well." one of the pilots sort of called the bluff of pilot Cerberus. An olive skinned hybrid of an Orc and human was the one who spoke. His black hair was once slicked back, but now a mess. This Cerberus must be built under his pilot uniform over which he wore a gold armband with a black sun on it.
"Well Ghazzi, Bugov, Vanzil, and Ahdeerson were you there?" Cerberus demanded from the other pilots. Behind them were eight others tending to four wounded pilots. Cerberus had his back turned revealing a three headed hound on the back of his aviator's jacket. Along his left arm she spotted eleven Gantronese flags with a skull over them. The one named Ahdeerson had a Giant Dire Boar on the back of his jacket. Brynn was about to count the number of kills on his sleeve when the one named Ghazzi, a blonde Castarian, blocked her view. His jacket's exposure to her revealed a snake haired witch on the back. The one named Vanzil brushed 8 large insects of him. They crawled on to him when he wasn't paying attention. It was the one named Bugov who noticed them.
"Good morning Country-Guard I am Lieutenant Gregory Bugov of the VUVR air force, Monster Squadron. Thank you for saving us. After fighting those invaders, the malicious mercenaries. We are beginning to identify some hired help." Bugov opened his mouth to speak but his eyes grew wide with a dropped jaw. As though someone orchestrated an experimental play several events happed almost at once. Behind them something alien and mechanic slowly creeped up on them. One of the pilots pointed in their direction hollering for them to drop down.
Brynn looked over her shoulder spotting an alien aircraft coming towards them. Shaped like a shadow beast with arms stretched out to gray prey, this one lowered its altitude. Whichever faction it belonged to it had more of a ramming strategy for ground forces. At its arms she could see perfectly sharp blades for slicing and spearing. Aiming to impale them this alien craft slowly built up its speed while skimming along the earth. Brynn reared her steed out of the way when it was hit by something else. In a fiery explosion this craft blew up in pieces from a shell. Splitting up into pieces it crashed into the alluvial earth. Watching the debris on fire and crashing to the ground only made them more warry of others. Smoldering pieces of metal had smoke rising up that created a wall of black smoke. Brynn's horse had to be calmed down for a few minutes. Hahzel kicked and brayed showing he was scared. Almost flung from her own horse Brynn clung to the reigns. Keeping her feet in the stirrups she about twisted her left foot. Once she got Hahzel calm she dismounted. Even Olalyn's steed, Calahir, went wild causing some of the pilots to hide behind cover or run away from them.
Facing southwest Brynn spotted a pair of gold automatons rolling on wheels speeding past them. Blindly passing them and the debris these two clockworks appeared oblivious to the world. Also the southwest behind the automatons a pair figures were dueling. A Vestrisian pilot engaged a red winged Drake humanoid. To the west from a circlet of statues, two more figures being chased by 8 others headed towards them. Making a circle with her own horse, Hahzel, she spotted no more than four vehicles. Three trucks, and a Chimera tank with double barrels. On top of the tank turret sat the mounted machinegun. It added another head to the Chimera Tank. A team of medics, and Country rescue jumped out of the trucks. Many of them were Zedirians, or male Zunia-Pucks (half human half goat). Whether they were half-goblins, half-Gnoll, half Troglodyte, or had a mix of everything they were labelled as Zedirian. It may sound discriminating, but these hybrids chose to accept. Most even voted to making things simple so long as no one showed discrimination. Leaving them to care for the pilots Brynn signaled Olalyn to help the pilot and deal with the ten other figures. At full gallop they raced over to aid the pilot. Seeing them locked in a duel with the draconic humanoid she noticed the winged humanoid had a broken wing Getting closer Brynn witnessed the pilot duel with a wrench-sword. As bizarre and unusual as it seemed this worked for this pilot. As for the Drake humanoid it had its claws, and a tail tipped with a spearhead.
Olalyn was about to intervene when the pilot skillfully ended it. They performed a technique she thought was the Bymere technique known as Nolmis. It started with a parry, a side swipe that shoved the weapon away ending with a sword thrust. Instead the pilot pushed and kicked them away with a leg and free hand. They did swipe down with the blade cutting the closest leg of their opponent. Right as it screamed in pain the pilot sliced its stomach, then its throat. Seeing the pilot handled themselves the Country-Guard Captains chose to deal with the ten figures. This pilot called out to them taking their focus away.
"Ahoy or is it Greetings and hello here?" the pilot revealed their voice to be female.
Without a word to them she reared her horse around. Picking up the pilot learned her name was Bethany Panseenn, a pilot, and a blade master. Forced to catch up to Olalyn, Brynn found a tree that resembled a tree Golem in a ring of 60 or so spider statues, and twelve snake statues. Passing these statues Brynn only got a glimpse of the statues as she rode past them. Her gaze transfixed on the group that now became twelve. Hustling her Hahzel to a gallop she witnessed two figures behind the 8 pursuers fall from projectiles. Well ahead of her Olalyn started firing at the 8 figures who shot the other two figures behind them. Brynn raced to catch up to them feeling Bethany's hands grab her repeater.
"What are you doing?" Have you ever fired a gun from horse back before?" she asked the pilot riding backseat.
"I've done archery on horseback. How had can it be with a rifle?" Bethany boasted showing her confidence.
Riding to catch up with Olalyn, Brynn saw him take out one of the pursuers. His single shot forced all of them down to the ground. Seeing them drop to the ground made it harder to hit them. Bethany shot at one, missing them. Feet from them the dust could rose and settled after the bullet's impact. Olalyn fired another shot hitting another pursuer. Bethany fired again nailing her first target in the skull. As Brynn rode up to the pair of figures Olalyn and Bethany shot two more pursuers. Whoever was left charged at them. One trio riddled them with lead bullets as they tried running for it. Checking the pair they did not shoot Brynn found they were a Liege Knight and a female night blade elf.
"Alright names and business being here." Brynn demanded from them. The female elf spoke for them. Wearing black, dark red layered leathery armor this one styled her hair in a bun appeared to take the lead as the spokesperson.
"I am Thanielle Redblade this is Sir Luke Bloodring who lost his voice. I myself lost something, a female half-orc and a hunk of an elf Ranger to eight barbarians from another world. All of that was over two maps to ancient cities, and a pair of emissaries from Evusia, and Niakoth. We um, made home in a structure behind the spiral circle of 26 statues. By the way ladies. Is that a...man I see. Forgive this woman of her desires of the flesh. It has been a while for me." The female elf explained himself and the Knight.
Noticing this elf winking and hinting at Olalyn Brynn was curious. Who arrived from Evusia, and Niakoth? Why did this own know about that? She showed no signs of being a member of any branch in the VUVR military. Gripping her extra pistol hidden in her clothes she grew suspicious. Did these two arrive on Calorn from another world? Were they from another country on Calorn? Or were these two a pair of rebels who sided with the insurgents.
"Where are you from Thanielle Redblade and Sir Bloodring?" Brynn asked them.
"Vimasdra-" Thanielle replied but cut herself off. She covered her mouth in disbelief and regret. Thanielle just gave herself away to Brynn who smiled.
"Olalyn! We have two collaborators here!" she warned the Captain.
Thanielle did a backward somersault several feet away then rolled in the ground. Picking up a large crossbow from one of the dead. Brynn shot the crossbow rendering it useless as it split apart. She felt Bethany slip down from the horse. She went up to the first apprehending Ser Bloodring. The Knight did not seemed pleased to submit, but he had to. It was either apprehension or join the ten other dead party members. Thanielle raised her hands in surrender to the Vestrisians. She held a guilty smile on her face as if she did not mean to do that.
"Sorry about that. Old habits die hard. I'll come peacefully." Thanielle disarmed herself quickly taking out a pair of long curved daggers, short blade, and a tribal knife. Tossing these weapons to the ground she allowed herself to be apprehended.
"You'll be handing me over to some burly man I hope." she said with a wink.
Knowing this one would spread her legs to get free Brynn had Bethany escort them to the Tricorne Forts. The pilot apprehended Thanielle, hauling her and Bloodring off. Bethany tossed Brynn's rifle back claiming she did not need it. Saying her fair wells Brynn searched for Olalyn. The Country-Guard Captain could be found at the circle of statues. Even though they had to get back to their companies they lingered on. squeezing the reigns Brynn pulled on them and gripped the stirrups with her foot. Hahzel moved towards Olalyn's position. Reaching Olalyn's position she could tell the details of some statues. A Crab Draconic Demon, a Roc Eagle, one large Feline Deity looking warrior, a stone Serpent shark dragon with tentacle mane, a mage figure, and one female one with a large bust. That was only six of the 20 statues that appeared to surround an ancient long boat that rotted. Olalyn already dismounted from his steed with a pistol ready in hand. He signaled with the empty hand to dismount quietly.
Brynn dismounted from Hahzel. She then checked her revolver. Finding a few bullets left in the chamber. She tried reloading it quickly while conversing with the pilots. She took a bullet from her belt when another figure appeared from behind a statue. Her gaze now transfixed on them and saw they were a Mulzaneen with a light blue armband that held the sun and green cross on it. This one also had the Gantronese octopus flag and wielded a crossbow. Showing no remorse the Mulzaneen let loose a bolt skimming her leg. Retaliating, Brynn fired the rest of the chamber into him. her heart raced from this encounter. Brynn was a good one with instincts and reflexes. However she was not the best.
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