Platform Seas Early 1844 A.N.: Rangers Pressing Farther

Going around the jungle forest made them feel less tense. By going around instead of going through the jungle Ranger unit 87 avoided those Bockturai. No one really said anything as they made their war to the other side of the jungle. Keeping an eye on the jungle some of them blindly ran into some bushes and tall grass. If anyone was paying attention or counting, they would have potted a total of 21 structures on this island. They came to a base in the form of a ring of dome shaped buildings encircling one tower. Standing at 39 stories high this mug shaped had platform balconies wrapping around it. At least six of these dome shaped, cylinder and trapezoid cube buildings made for nice shelters. In between a few of these buildings they found five smoothly designed clockwork figures shut down and lifeless. He heard one of the Elves call them droids or something like that. Geren did not know what those really were until now, clockwork automatons.

Having 112 in a single company barely overcrowded parts of this little settlement. They still had enough to search each structure and keep watch for hostiles. Checking the other six buildings they found them empty of life. As they assembled around Major Cunning and Emiko something rolled out of the tower. On a single set of ball wheels one brass, iron, steel, and copper made droid came up to them. Flailing its spindly metal arms this droid looked to be panicking without facial expressions changing. If this clockwork automaton on wheels was programmed to speak that piece was damaged. It circled around and around flailing its arms around. The Vestrisians looked at Emiko and their star elf friends for an explanation. None of them had a clear answer about this.

Receiving an unsure shrug, the Rangers watched Cunning grab this rolling automaton machine. It did not protest or resist his grip. It appeared oblivious to Major Cunning. The half Orc drew a pistol and shot a hole in its head. He proceeded to shoot it two more times. Naggit and a few others covered their mouths in shock. Geren reminded him of where he was currently and not to be too sensitive for everything. He knew his friend was a gentle soul, which made him the perfect candidate for a medic. Naggit gave him an insulted look then recalled his rank. Geren forgave him since he said nothing. Cunning let the mechanical being drop to the ground with three wholes in it.

“Verngannus, Abbelforne take your squads to the other islands. Dufferson take your squad of fifteen over to the other tower, Tarcos take 15 Rangers to the islands on our left flanks, the Sal Ghamee and the Zaul Destroyer will back you up. Emiko will be taking the rest over to the central island. I will stay here with the 14 elves. Am I clear on that Rangers?” Cunning threw orders around.

Without much protest the Rangers divided into groups and platoons. Their new allies took one squad and stayed put. Cunning was unusually trusting of these aliens. Geren assumed the Political Officer gave Major Cunning orders that included these aliens. Gathering his squad he called for Tennis, Marlin, Gudderson, Nargis, Naggit, Levoris, Eriggson, Roggers, Lemonmere, Darktrap, Steeltoe, Bluemoon, Craghell, Flintflaw, and Treemare. Abbelforne did get the same ones he commanded before they went back to the boats. Thirty-two Rangers set off to the next islands. Three miles away lay the closest island. At full speed the Rangers Cunning sent out raced for their targets. All they had to do was wrap around the first island of the cluster.

Their own allies maneuvered around to the designated island. Geren and his fellow Rangers reached the first island in short time of five to six minutes. Whichever island this was to the invader the did not care. Listening to Naggit’s voice he learned this one appeared over four miles long and one mile wide. When they landed their eyes rested on the jungles and the tower Emiko called a platform. Disembarking on the beach the 32 Rangers bolted through the beach and the first jungle patch in their sights. On the sand and dirt they passed a number of corpses left from a recent engagement. It looked more like a brief skirmish where both parties retreated. Captain Verngannus glanced at these corpses noticing a bunch of them were very scaly like fish, with large lips, and fins for hair. He presumed these were the Aquanne Hitto he heard about. Among the other dead combatants, he spied a bunch of Goblinoids, Orcs, Demons, Gnolls, Wolfmen, Frogfolk, and Catfolk. Looking at the Catfolk he wondered if Emiko knew any of them.

Passing the site of a skirmish they found the first platform tower on the second island in this cluster. Slammed against a part of the island that formed a hook, the tower only had 28 humanoids guarding it. More dead humanoids lay dead at the base of the tower, defenses, and scattered on the hard sand ground. Dozens of Aquanne Hitto lay dead among them. Geren Verngannus and a few other Rangers held their fire while the rest hosed down 17 of the 28 defenders. The remaining eleven threw down stolen Gantronese weapons. Some appeared to be made from all gray metals, others some metal with stiff rubbery material. Verngannus rushed over to keep these unarmed defenders from getting killed. Anyone under Captain Abbelforne’s command were not always nice to most P.O.Ws.

Suffering zero casualties, Verngannus felt confident in ousting one alien invader from this world of his. Coming closer he exposed himself to a good look at the defenders. Each one wore a jumpsuit uniform or a Gantronese fatigues of a beach sand color. Ordering Naggit to write their names down he practically met some humanoids of new species and races other than the Gantronese and Nazdar. Eight of the dead defenders were Woadi warriors hired by one of the factions here. As for the survivors, they were Goblina, Drow, Green Faced Pendarins, Mutant Spawns, and Elves from spaced called Sexvars Verngannus warned them not to move out of that tower. They should hoist a white flag to avoid getting shot at.

On their right flank Nevoran Battleship Seahulk appeared. Three craft unhooked from the Battleship as it stopped. It could be assumed these were boating parties. Verngannus and Abbelforne waited for three boating parties. Only one of them came up to their location while the other two went for the other tower on the island. Each craft approached the island at full speed. Finally getting a look at these Nevorans the Rangers of the VUVR witnessed 36 Nevoran Personnel land on the beach. In their own greenish uniforms these Nevoranese showed themselves to be white haired, blonde, dark haired elves, and half elves. As they disembarked Geren noticed they wore a distinct cap. Their L34 rifles, Carbine 51s, and Thunder 30s slung over their shoulders. One their caps rested a badge depicting a shield, a gold dawn on top, and a laurel flanking the gold shirt. This symbol sat on a field of red over the cap vizor.

“Good morning or is it good afternoon?” One of the Nevorans said with a heavy accent. They wore a distinct cap, a peak less one that had the emblem with the insignia of a Lieutenant’s rank. A silver seahawk pin sat above two gold stripes.

“It is still morning here in the platform seas.” Verngannus replied. This Nevoran naval officer raised his eyebrows giving him a convinced look. Geren read his face, he was acting convince in front of him, a Vestrisian. Whoever this Nevoran was the gave zero sverx about how things appeared to others.

“Captain Geren Verngannus of the VUVR Rangers.” He stretched out a hand in greeting to the Nevoran Elf. To his surprise this pale faced white haired elf grabbed it and shook with a squeeze.

“Lieutenant Adduse Jogvonee, troop officer of the NF Battleship “Tall Bear”. My fellow countrymen are ordered to hold this island. We are also ordered to take prisoners of war to Borvados.” This Lieutenant Adduse pointed out as though he was reviewing the course work for a student.

“Yes, my fellow Rangers are to seize the other island while you and your people hold them.” Verngannus said looking directly in the Lieutenant’s face. He knew he was a higher rank, but something about this Nevoran said they were told to obey their own superiors.

“Who will be attacking?” Adduse asked him.

“Ah ha ha, Gantronese, Aquanne Hitto, alien monsters, other humanoids, and pretty women.” Geren replied hoping he would get a laugh at the last one.

Adduse did not laugh, but smiled with his lips. The Nevoran motioned for his own troops to round up the alien prisoners of war. Receiving no more words from him, Geren ordered his platoon to move into the next with a hint of urgency. Holding up the assumption these Nevorans got this island secure, Geren left them. He led his own squad of Rangers back to their boats. Just thirty-two Vestrisian Rangers pressed on to the 3^rd island. Eating while on the boats they filled their stomachs for lunch. Upon approaching the third island Geren heard not one but three turrets fire from behind them. Each one roared in the air that shook the sea. In a minimum of nine seconds the shells made impact.

He thought the island would sink before they reached it. Nevoran turret shells created fiery explosions blasting trees, flinging dirt, sand and flames. Nearly a minute afterwards those shots were followed by others. Their Nevoran Federation friends fired a second volley from different turrets. All they could do was watch this island become engulfed in an inferno. For a split second he spotted some figures running amuck on the island. Some were on fire and running around in panic. The second round of blasts tossed debris, trees, and bodies everywhere. Verngannus, and Abbelforne steered to the safest spot they spotted on this island. Keeping an eye on the flames the Rangers landed at a part where the can see a curve in the land mass. It seemed this island held the shape of a letter. In the center of this island stood the bar stool shaped tower. Disembarking from the boats the two Ranger squads moved quickly. As the flames fanned and waned in parts of the island, they passed corpses of the island’s previous occupants. Moving along the shore Verngannus could still feel the heat from the fires.

Following along the shape of this island the Rangers searched for survivors. His unit only made it around a portion of this island because of the flames. Near the tower a group of 24 huddled at the entrance. Several of them banged on the door, and walls demanding entry. None of the shells hit this sixteen-story tall metal tower. Thirteen of these figures wore tan jackets with the Gantronese flag on the back. As for the rest of them, they wore a black vest with a green star emblem on the back. He recalled the campaigns in Vullan where they fought collaborators wearing similar uniforms. Geren caught Abbelforne’s gaze and motioned with his hand as a go ahead to remove them. Abbelforne nodded his head in agreement. Lining up their squads they massacred these 24 collaborators of the Gantronese. In a firing squad they sent three volleys into the cornered enemy.

Geren scoured one half the area while Abbelforne scoured the other with his own squad. All the fires that started did not help, but they managed to find 16 survivors. Being on the side that was not on fire helped them, which is where they found the survivors. Looking down at his boots he saw them caked with wet sand. Their medics patched up the wounded collaborators as they could. Some suffered damage to their lungs due to the smoke. This was something he was no expert at. All he knew was to cover his mouth or wear a gas mask in case of certain attacks his superiors never told them about. When questioning some of the collaborators he learned about their allegiances and the new invaders. The barrage from the Tall Bear Battleship killed 79 mercenaries and Black Knights from Korvatzi. Korvatzi was a kingdom in the divided island continent shared by the two main invaders. Checking with the squad he made sure each one were willing to help carry the wounded. Each one voted on making the 24 collaborators carry them. Checking the fires Geren urged them move quickly back to the boats. While bringing their sixteen wounded P.O.W.s over only seven of them died of their wounds. Even though the medics made sure the wounds were not lethal they still died because of the sudden movements. Left with nine wounded P.O.W.s the rangers waited for a squad of Nevoran to land ashore. Twenty-eight Nevorans arrived to pick up the P.O.W.s, saving them from the fires and smoke. Hardly any words were exchanged except for them to return to the main Ranger’s Island to the northwest one.

Nevoran medics carefully brought the wounded P.O.W.s to their boats. Verngannus and his fellow Rangers returned to their own boats to get off the burning island. Leaving the smoking island to the Nevorans they returned to island northwest one. Here 97 Rangers, 14 space elves, and Emiko regrouped. Each unit was intact with some interesting reports. Tarcos’ unit ran into two more islands near the 4^th island. Dufferson found 4 alien beings in the second tower on island northwest one. Before he could finish his report, Major Cunning cut him off to hear Tarcos’ report. Captain Tarco had the Zaul and Sal Ghamee backing him. Naming the two islands as northwest 4a and northwest 4b, Tarcos explained what happened on both islands. Island northwest 4a had six of those dome shaped structures, 4 alien humanoid members of the CSO were found there. All humanoids there had to be killed including an ISN commando paratrooper being held captive. That captive kicked at one the Rangers then went for a knife. On island northwest 4b they found nine-cylinder shaped buildings just three stories tall. On this one they found only a single Ogre spawn from that Beast Order. Four others laid dead by its hands. Tarcos’ unit had to kill it since it lunged at them.

Tarcos left the island northwest 4a in the hands of the Sal Ghamee pirates, and island northwest 4b to the Zaul ship. Captain Verngannus gave his account of what happened with his unit and Abbelforne backing each word he reported. Emiko gave her own account of the larger island they labelled as northwest 5. Island Northwest 5 stretched 5 ½ miles long and 1 ½ miles wide. This cat humanoid managed to circumnavigate that island unnoticed. One company of Gantronese and Grevaskii held the 5^th island. These aliens appeared oblivious of their presence until the Nevoran Battleship fired its turrets. With this company of enemies were two tanks, one Zeykos fighter aircraft, one scout speeder boat, and 25 anti-infantry vehicles. She did not give the full details on the vehicles she reported. Major Cunning also cut her off saying that information would suffice for now. Geren could read what Cunning thought and believed after serving under his command. This was an area the Major was completely unfamiliar with. It already took its toll on the half-Orc Major. What Major Cunning should realize they were in the same boat about this area. One of the Calornese here saw any of this part of their world. None of these islands were even on a map. The Major dismissed the unit to rest in the first tower they took. He ordered the six Captains to discuss their next plan of action.

Dufferson, Abbelforne, Tarcos, Verngannus, Origg, and Rogers joined Major Cunning in a lounge area. Emiko and the 14 elves joined them. Cunning sat in silence leaving his officers to guess what their next move was. One by one the captains urged the Major to tell them what was next. Each Captain chimed in and talked over each other. Some of them argued until Cunning barked them down. His loud scary voice forced them to shut up. For several seconds, the room was silent.

“I have good news and bad news. After a 16-hour long battle against the Gantronese fleet we are victorious. Ground forces in the Unknown Lands have a secure seaborne flank, and the Iperantos Isles are open for invasion.” Cunning announced to the officers. The room filled with a roar of joy and excitement.  Every Captain jumped up with joy happy they now have an edge over the western part of the southern seas. This was the 54^th naval battle in the southern seas. Above them they heard the other Rangers under their command cheer over the news. Even if they were dismissed, they still eavesdropped on the meeting. Major Cunning allowed them to celebrate for a few minutes. Out of nowhere they broke into song. All of them broke into the anthem of the young VUVR.

Cunning did not stop the other Rangers up top from coming down. He watched with some happy amusement on his face. Jumping around, shouting with joy, hugging, clapping, and some rough play went around. The Gantronese finally receiving a heavy punch to their naval supremacy was welcoming news. Geren could imagine an entire armada sunk tanking hundreds of thousands of those invaders with it. He watched Cunning for a moment until he was attacked with a kiss followed by a pair of breasts shoved in his face. Every female shoved their breasts into their fellow Rangers’ faces then suffocated them for a few seconds. Each one let out a cackly at the males’ surprised responses. As the Major Cunning was treated with a kiss from all the girls at once. That was enough to make the half Orc blush a little.

Cunning reminded them he was a married Orc hybrid. In other terms a Zedirian, Smoke Folk (half -orc, and half human) or Dire Humans, which were only labels not statuses. For Cunning’s case it was the category of Smoke Folk. VUVR members did not have a caste system that discriminated against other races. However, there were still those with titles, and those in the middle class, and poor class. That did not mean opportunities were limited. Calorn’s current situation required any able-bodied male or female to serve.

“Rangers to attention!” Cunning’s voice boomed inside the tower making everyone quiet again. Heads and ears turned towards their Major. Fourteen space elves and the cat-person Emiko also listened to him.

“Although we have a large fleet half of that is needed up north, and one portion is needed to watch Evusia. This fleet was not entirely lost, but it will take 5 months before they see action again. If we are going to receive any reinforcements it will be one month from now. Our allies-“ Cunning explained the situation until he was cut off by Emiko who touched him on the arm.

Emiko informed the Aquanne Hitto arrived on island northwest 1. Major Cunning signaled to let them in. Geren volunteered to open the door. He did so with some distaste in his mouth. He heard stories about this race being allied to the Gantronese. Now they are switching sides. A group of ten nude aquatic humanoids entered the platform tower. They appeared amphibian, and fish like with fins for ears, hair, scaly skin. Whoever these Aquanne Hitto were they came in different skin tones. Some were blue, light blue, brown turquois, coral pink, and green. Everyone made their best efforts not to look at these creatures’ junks. Vernagannus kept his eyes on the ceiling as these Aquanne Hitto introduce themselves. Avoiding any gaze or eye contact he caught a bit of what they said. Approximately 633 Aquanne Hitto warriors remained of what used to be 1473 warriors in this area. Despite past allegiance to the invaders their war was now with the Gantronese not the CSO or this Order of the Beast who came. All their forces and their new allies, the Toceanids will attack the Gantronese. When the Vestrisians were ready to move out. Cunning had the guests shown a map of which island they would be attacking. None of the Aquanne Hitto liked that idea. Each one gave their argument, which Cunning and Emiko slammed. Their target was the 4^th island larger island. To this the Aquanne replied that another force already attacked that one. A smaller force of 43 ISN operatives launched a raid of some sort on that 4^th island. Emiko broke them off sending them on their way to their own demise.

Angry over this disagreement three of these aliens left them alone. Seeing their new encounter leave the Rangers, Elves and Captains rested as best they could. None of them stirred awake until it was dawn. Once fully awake they prepared for the next assault. With the Zaul, and Sal Ghamee backing them they went forward. One hundred twelve were joined by Nineteen Zaul troops and ten pirates. Right after breakfast they attacked the 10-mile-long island. Coming in like a storm they overtook the island defenders. None of these CSO or Beast members showed any singes of being prepared for them. These alien defenders were too spooked to put up a fight. It had more to do with the recent attack before the Vestrisians. Some total of 394 CSO and Order of the Beast died in the two assaults over this 10-mile island. This left 35 survivors to tell them about the pursuing ISN operatives. Whoever this new faction was they already launched their invasion, but appeared off to a bad start.

As for the Calornese casualties, they were a minimum of six killed and one wounded. Two Rangers, one Zaul, and three pirates dead. Just one space elf wounded. Verngannus and his platoon found the ISN operatives dead on the beach. This ISN force once consisted of 23 combat troopers in combat armor, an alien Bounty Hunter in red armor that made them birdlike, a Wolfsniper, some gray painted heavy assault droid, a Spectre looking Operative, 3 alien mercenaries, 3 Goblina pathfinders in silver uniforms, an assassin ISN droid, an armed battle Bat Creature, 4 renegade knights, and 4 half demon Rogues. The three alien mercenaries appeared orange skinned with tendrils from the head, light green with violet markings on a cranial long crest from its amphibian head, and a grotesque orange skinned one with purple lips, no nose, big eyes, and a score of tendrils from the back of its head. Checking the beach even further they discovered a rushed assault that ran into a panicked ambush. This only revealed more CSO and Order of the Beast presence they did not have to worry about.

Forcing the 35 P.O.W.s to bury the dead they discovered more humanoids hiding in the jungle. One hundred forty-seven emerged out of the jungles. Now CSO and Order of the Beast outnumbered them on this 4^th island. This incited a bit of an insurgency which only 23 did not partake in. Catching the Rangers off guard cost them 40 members in an unexpected skirmish. None of the Captains fell in this skirmish. With help they took out 159 of these attackers. Dufferson lost two Rangers, Verngannus lost five, Abbelforne lost six, and Rogers lost eight men. Now 63 Rangers remained. Three of the elves suffered some blows, but remained active for duty. As for the allies who came to help each lost some of their men.

Letting the Sal Ghamee and Zaul troops take control relieved some stress off their shoulders. An hour went by into preparing their dead and deciding the fate of the 23 nonparticipant prisoners. Both the Zaul and the Sal Ghamee needed a full crew to operate. They only brought a limited number of troops with them. Left with 78 in their group the Rangers and new allies chose to wait. Four straight days went by that consisted of just patrolling, watching their allies engage hostile craft. A fleet of seven gunboats of the CSO and the Order of the Beast came in from the west. From the north a fleet of five ships belonging to Iperantos collaborators attacked.

Even though the Zaul Destroyer, Sal Ghamee corvette, and Nevoran Battleship were outnumbered their guns proved too much. A pair of gunboats managed to escape the engagement. Just three of the collaborators sailed away suffering a few hits. None of their ally’s ships suffered severe damage. Right on the last day of the sea engagements help arrived from HQ. Supplies, munitions, and reinforcements arrived around dusk. Some fuel ships came to refuel the other ships. Reinforcements included 169 Rangers brought over from Gontrella, 97 marines from the Unknown Lands. To keep the islands secure they sent an additional 100 Evusian troops, 36 Al-Dadorian marines, 31 Alagen soldiers, and 22 volunteers. Three Vestrisian Destroyers were also sent to cover the back sea flanks. All the wounded and P.O.W.s were sent off on the supply ships.

Having reinforcements relieved some stress from them. They would not have to stretch themselves thin. Since they were new to the area Cunning, and Emiko had to explain everything. For a whole day the Vestrisians and coalition planned an assault. While they planned all of this, certain allies went to other islands. Leaving a sizeable force on island northwest 1 Cunning and the other Major prepared to attack with a force of 344. The Marine Captain Mizuvi Algoon tried to object, but was cut down. Verngannus studied him for a moment or two. He did not know this Badraani personally. Yet he could tell this one did not trust the atmosphere of the 5^th island they had to take. At dawn they had three ships let loose three volleys of bombardments. Right after the last turrets fired, they launched the assault while the shells fired above them. Smoke and fire rose on the island creating a haunting image. Many of those defenders were either killed in the blast or suffocating from the smoke. There was also the possibility of them burning alive in the fire. Geren spotted bodies on the beach of this 5^th island. Assuming it was clear they blindly moved towards the beach.

Machinegun fire burst from the smoke and under the sand. Several got hit forcing them to steer off course a little. Cunning and the other Major had them spread out while returning fire. Reaching the beach was no picnic. To their luck only a handful of Machine Guns were active. As one unit they stormed the beach after covering their faces. Overwhelming the lost defenders, they found more than they estimated to be here. Getting off the boats they found a grizzly aftermath from the bombardment, and the exchange of fire. More than a thousand corpses lay all over this island. One hundred sixty-five Gantronese, Grevaskii, four hundred fifty-five CSO members and six hundred sixty-three Aquanne Hitto. No one was found alive among the carnage. Their search was hindered by the smoke, which kept them close to the beach. Only a dozen of their forces died in the fighting. On the other side of this 5.5-mile-long island more islands could be seen. Seven miles away lay an island with two towers and a town. Six miles away sat another island hosting one tower in the shape of a tall mug with no handle. Other islands could be seen in the distance.

Major Cunning ordered for them to rally on him at the safest part of the beach. As he expected they rallied on him while avoiding the smoldering aftermath. What none of them expected were several ships packed with various humanoids to appear. Just five vessels approached their position. One carried 84 cat folk; feline warriors happy to see them. A second one held 101 strange humanoids and mutants who crossed the line by showing their true colors. They demanded for the elves to be nude. It was the moment they set foot on the beach they made a move. Almost as one these scumbags went for the ladies only to become corpses full of lead. The third one landed with 300 passengers crammed in. A mix of different humanoids 128 of whom revealed as squares refusing to fight. Before their very eyes 172 slit the throats of 128 squares.

From the other two craft carrying 50 tan elves and 50 green faces a volley of lead and projectiles slew the 172 humanoids. Witnessing more deaths up close sort of gripped them. Allies killing allies, brother vs brother, colleagues turning on each other baffled them. Idleness gripped them, allowing the Nevoran Tall Bear to appear in their view. Geren knew they noticed that and saw them coming to flank these aliens. Watching the Tall Bear sail towards them distracted the whole lot of them. It came under attack by three different factions. Representing the mixed CSO and Order of the Beast, five stolen ships hurled all they had. Ten Iperontosi long ironclads sped their way as if to suicide the Tall Bear. Coming in from the sky a total of five ISN gunships dove for some targets.

Battleship Tall Bear took out seven of these attackers while putting up a fight. During all this madness all three factions turned on each other. Their Zaul destroyer came int to rescue a battered Tall Bear. All the stolen ships sank, only three Iperontosi ships survived the battle. Out of the five gunships two were shot down during the fight. Determined to clear a path for invasion these three gunships finished off the Battleship Tall Bear then went for the Iperontosi. Both sides exchanged fire until another gunship crashed from the sky and the rest of the ironclads sank. Only two gunships remained. Losing a Battleship that took 1,500 souls was enough for their mission. The Zaul Destroyer lost a turret before they took down another gunship. Severely damaging each other, both craft ceased firing. As the gunship turned it lost control and dove down into the sea.

“Pull Back!” Cunning screamed.

Every ear heard him, and the coalition sprang back to their boats. In a hurry they left the island to the invaders. When 344 allies came to the first island Cunning sent a warning to the Nevoran to get out quickly. The Sal Ghamee picked the up just before dusk. Going to sleep was hard after witnessing a domino effect of slaughter and carnage. A whole day went by with no action or sign from any invaders. During lunch hour of the day after two waves of ISN troopers attacked from the south. This first wave had 194 all of whom died failing their mission. As for the second wave a force of 155 attacked them. Only 35 died in the assault on the Calornese defenders. The 120 ISN settled for the flanking island. Being left with no other options the Calornese and their allies witnessed an invasion made by an IGC group called the ISN fail. It went down crumbling over the course of days. While they held firm thousands of humanoids defecting from CSO and the Order of the Beast flocked over to surrender. It took some time for them to explain to their superior commanders, and almost a week to process these defectors. Whoever the ISN forces were, their invasion did not end well. A storm came over the area, taking out aircraft, transports, and misguiding paratroopers to their deaths. While hunkered down in the island’s structures the VUVR Rangers apprehended the ISN survivors. The ones the defectors allowed to live. Some of these ISN members managed to get away and get out. Leaving the new invading faction to drown or to die by others’ hands made some feel hollow. Verngannus checked with his commanding officer after running through the stormy rains. He looked at him with wide eyes, and apprehension.

“Captain, we may have gone further west, but there are units of marines headed south! Once this storm is over, go check on them!” The Major ordered Captain Verngannus.