Platform Seas: VUVR Ranger Captain Geren P. Verngannus

Why was he sent here? The Gantronese were in the Unknown Lands. All he heard was some mumbo jumbo crud about alien artifacts and relics built on a bunch of islands. In a unit of 97, Captain Geren P. Verngannus a 23-year-old baseball star from Salluth, served for three years in the 31^st Ranger’s Division. He believed the marines, their navy, and their VUVR’s allies had this one. One of his own childhood friends from Salluth Academy-School poured over some maps. Looking at one of them his friend touted the invasions of Nymres, Gontrella, Galaia, and Vidothra would be impossible. Why he was claiming it to be impossible was beyond Geren. However, between the Boathrin Kingdom that also included Vullan, and Vidothra were 22 or so other city-state islands. Laid back on a couch in a former fuel station he listened to a portable radio one fellow soldier brought along. Swinging music played while his other platoon members smoked cigarettes, played cards, rolled dice, and one of them read some book they found. Out of a platoon of 44 Rangers, there was always a couple or more scouts. Boy Scouts as he should call them.

Most of the Ranger divisions of this military army branch stock of recruits comprised of hunters, trappers, offspring of country rangers, farmers, shepherds, ranchers, clansmen, Uxane, and the occasional elf hybrid. As for these boy scouts who went out camping, hiking, studying wildlife, making fires, and crafting. They got in a little too easily for some. Yes, there were fit, but could they shoot a gun or loose an arrow? Not until they entered bootcamp they could not shoot a gun properly. The whole lot of boy scouts became medics. Thanks to his uncle on his mother’s side, he became a venturing Ranger in the outskirts, and countryside.

As he laid on the couch, he pondered over rumors of their own VUVR hiring pirates and recruiting all sorts of off world humanoids. One rumor was about a Zhenrai named Cailor who commanded a company of aliens. Some say even he was an alien who would rather be with himself. Cailor sounded more Vestrisian, or Forysthan. The song “Lucrative Elf” came on the radio. It had to come after the song That Burglar, a song telling the story of how a maid laid with a burglar and gave birth to their offspring.

                “With the war winding down in the north to a stalemate, and Vullanese Islands you’d think we’d all be on leave. No, we have to get dragged over to some sunny ass islands at the bottom of the world map.” A Ranger named Gudderson scoffed as he slammed a card down.

                “Hold up, what about all of them tropical and exotic gals, eh?” Tennis interjected putting their card down on Gudderson’s card.

                “Yeah, Tennis you think with the rhyme. Only one problem.” Nargis, another Ranger remarked.

                “What’s that?” Tennis licked his lips pondering over this. It almost made Geren chuckle.

                “No women are on this island.” Nargis revealed to the clueless Tennis.

                “No women? Here?” he looked ever more perplexed than before.

                “Thought you figured it out dumbass?” Levoris, a female Ranger mocked him. She patted his cheek then pinched it calling him a poor sex sap.

                “What? Wait What?” Tennis blurted out, still confused as he just lost a card game. You were supposed to place a card on the most distracted player when you placed the highest-ranking card down upright on the table.

                “Just keep yourself in your own pants, Pennis.” Verngannus suggested revealing he was watching the whole game transpire.

                “What are you talking about Cap?” Tennis was still confused.

                “There are no women for the likes of you to fun with.” One of the card players teased him. Everyone laughed, heckling, and nudging Private Tennis. After a few moments they settled down. Geren went back to his snoozing mode. A heavy set of boots entered the room.

                “Officer on Deck! Officer on Front!” He heard barked out of the lips of a familiar voice that was a vampire to them all. It was that of Marlin’s voice who draws attention every time. Geren shot up at attention with his unit. Major Cunning stood at the doorway. Half-Uxane, half-Orc, Major Cunning held an appearance remarkably similar to a dark skinned Ottanteen male. In the Ranger’s commanding officer’s uniform, Cunning stood at 7 feet tall. Verngannus’ platoon fear making him angry. An Orc was dangerous to anger so that part of his background enforced respect while the other gave respect for him.

                “The company unit moves out in 003 hours! Am I understood Rangers?” Major Cunning commanded the platoon.

                “Yes, sir Major!” The unit answered as a whole.

“Then don’t bring your asses back to the diaper mindset of boot camp’s day one. So, MOVE IT!” Major Cunning advised in a half mock, half serious tone.

Verngannus rallied his unit to prepare for their next assignment. When they first arrived, their orders were to deal with some strange cultists. On the first day here, they searched two of the many islands discovered. Under Major Cunning’s lead Geren and his fellow Rangers aided the infantry, naval troops, and a unit of marines. Most of the dead were buried or put in body bags. What was found left of some were sent home in cannisters for cremation. Whatever part of this world they discovered it was some hidden archipelago. In this newly found archipelago they discovered entire settlements, and towers made from some alien metal alloy. Even though they were told it was just them, something else emerged from the jungles on an island. A strange martial artist came out to challenge them. Now this was days or at least a week ago. Whoever that was Geren could not shake the mental image of his ugly face and grotesque muscles. Their member erected at the sight of some female Rangers of his unit. Swinging it around the martial artist got ambushed from behind. A large group of armed female thralls clobbered him to the ground. Whoever came here before the Rangers obviously missed these 85 people. All of them dropped their weapons quickly when they saw them, the VUVR Rangers. Some of these thralls explained how they hid from the first group that were apparently led by a Zhenrai of some sorts.

Looking over at his “nerdy friend” who poured over the maps until the Major arrived, he kept himself from smiling. Those 85 women made his friend sweat when he saw them. All of them were either nude, or scantily clad. If only he had a photograph of his friend’s expression. Geren’s train of thought on those women disappeared when another Vestrisian Officer entered the room. He had to wave those memories away for not and focus on their future mission. Taking a gander, he spotted the vampire to them all, Captain Dufferson. Captain Marlin Dufferson appeared more like a vampire than human. His own hair was more light brown and cut a little too short. Yet the cap and helmet rested neatly on his head. Some could say he was a Gantronese, except he had a nose whereas the Gantronese invaders did not. The uniform fit a little tight on him, the greenish-Khaki colored uniform covered most of the blue buttoned up shirt that signified his faction. Like the rest of them Dufferson wore the same boots, the same patch of a deer head. His rank was shown on his shoulder which he had to hide with an extra flap like the rest of the officers in the unit.

“Political Officer Cijong Kennamin is here to boost morale. Open your ears and stuff it!” Captain Dufferson chimed in from behind the other officers.

“Thank you, Captain Duffles.” Cijong replied to Marlin clearly mispronouncing his last name wrong. “Rangers of the 31^st, come outside and join your company for a briefing. I will not repeat it.”

Verngannus and his unit followed the officers outside to join the rest of their company. Outside this fuel station they joined the other Rangers in their company. Forming a column, they stood a little adjacent to the structure. Cijong, Cunning and another figure stood before them. Something was different about this other figure standing with their Commanding Officers. Standing right next to their P.O. Kennamin this figure wore a white sand colored hood cloak. Covering the figure from head to toe the hooded cloak also had a short cape that covered its face like a mask wrap. On this figure’s back hung a nice bow with a few arrows in the quiver. Looking at its hands Verngannus thought he saw claws or something. He was sure those must have been a custom-made set of gloves or something.

“This is Emiko Nami the archer and guide. She has offered her service in aiding us. Emiko Nami here is not the only one who will be guiding us. A crew of 86 pirates known as the Sal Ghamee will be escorting you. If you will just lend an ear and hear Ms. Nami out. Emiko the floor is yours.” The Political Officer allowed the hooded figure to speak. They removed a piece of their mouth cover revealing they were a cat humanoid. Her fur color was a grayish white with black stripes.

“Thank you Kennamin, hello humans, elves, and hybrids whom I would call Skogers. I am a former member of the CSO (Chaotic Surprise Organization). To them I was just a thrall, an expendable pawn or cannon fodder. There are two other armies in the platform seas. One of them is that CSO, an organized horde of various humanoids, sentient beings, hybrid creatures, and monsters. The other is the Order of the Beast, an order of beastly, monster spawn, mutated humanoids, and nightmarish creatures gathered in a collective horde. Both like recruiting mutated experiments to their armies. Each of them are at war with each other, the Gantronese, and the Aquanne Hitto. For three years they have been here on your world. Are there any questions before we embark?” this Emiko explained to the VUVR Rangers.

“Yeah, do they look like you?” A private mocked smartly. Some of the Rangers laughed at that for a few moments.

“Shut up Private Makeegle, Private Bensworth!” another Ranger yelled at the two privates. Bensworth only chuckled a little more. Emiko darted for this one Ranger causing the others to back away. Singling him out left the Ranger vulnerable. This feline humanoid only flipped him over. He spun around like a levitating wheel before hitting the ground. Everyone let out a good laugh until the Commanding Officer’s barked for them to shut it.

In moments the whole company moved its feet. At the start of this conflict his unit consisted of 234. Only 97 members remain after a few years of dealing with Nazdar snipers, elites, and local Grevaskii in the Vullanese Isles. They also saw action in the vast landscape of Vimasdra. However, it was not for very long as something else hunted soldiers down on either side. It forced them to send in tank, which also had trouble in the mud, and tried steering clear of forests they could not enter. When that did not pan out as well their VUVR bombed the landscape and bombarded it with artillery. Whatever it was Geren did not get a good look at this type of enemy that also attacked the Nazdar from time to time. He was too focused on their unit being sent over to the Vullanese Isles again. As a Captain, it became his duty to keep track of the units and members for Major Cunning. His platoon in the Company had a mix of the boy scouts, also called Squirrels, hunters, farmers, the sons or daughters of Rangers, shepherds, and trappers. Among them were a few Uxane, and clansmen in the platoon. As for his childhood friend Naggit Greentrapper, he was not only a boy scout, but the son of a female ranger. By the gods was that woman a gorgeous and curvy half-elf. Most men’s tongues would lol out at the sight of her. Not a soul believed that voluptuous curvy brunette elf was this nerd’s mother. His father had more of the scientist and inventor’s appearance. Just looking at him with the big glasses it was right off the bat an inventor’s son. His platoon rushed to grab what they needed for today then returned to join the rest.

As they followed this Emiko Nami, he recalled his own mother, Margret Axemaiden Verngannus. She was the fourth child out of seven with the maiden name of Bjornsring. His own mother bore a total of five children. Her auburn hair and physique made her attractive. Her own aunt’s and sisters were not so fortunate in terms of appearances. Some became fat, others stayed thin. Verngannus as a surname was more on the lines of an adventurer’s family name. When his father met her, she joined him on weekends. Both his parents became adventurers, and explorers, who roamed freely. His own mother being a half elf from Northern Naatidra, and his father an Estati from Eastern New Vattoram. For his own studies his mother a current Tavernkeep, and Innkeeper former Nightblade had him be mentored plus educated. He received education the first year he could talk under the mentorship of some Wizard who was also an Almoner, Scholar, Geomancer, and Sage named Ossidus Aphior. Aside from mentoring, and teaching he also worked in photography. Geren’s other father Erikk Verngannus II worked as a Ranger-Marksman. He said he met his mother during some expedition to the north. When the two met, they ditched the current expedition becoming adventuring explorers. On weekends he himself ventured out with his own father, his father’s companions, Geren’s siblings, brothers(uncles), and mother’s own brother who visited them often. His father now worked as an Inspector who works with Detective. News that he was signing up or enlisting caused his mother to throw a fit at him. She argued he was already a baseball star in the region since he was 12 years old. Geren was one of four siblings adding one adopted one, and in the middle, spelled disaster 24/7 for him.

As he progressed with his fellow Rangers, Geren recalled the day his own mother slapped him over the news of enlistment. She clearly did not want any child of hers going to war. The very next day after that incident he met his friend Naggit to hangout and camp. Naggit was joining the Rangers as well. It meant good news for him. His bucked tooth sort of showed that day in a happy grin. Naggit’s own mother encouraged him to serve the newly founded VUVR. Behind his back Geren suspected it was so his mother could make more babies with her husband. This chipmunk faced friend had been with Geren since the age of seven. Naggit joined Geren and his uncle to show off what he learned at the Boy scouts. When he became a baseball player for the Sulluth Academy for youth, Naggit became enthralled in geography, science, cartography, and animal taming. Naggit’s own mother, bless her heart, made him sleep in the chapel of Ipsul through peer pressure.

Although Naggit was a childhood friend, he was not the only one. Geren had other chums, who also enlisted or found other means of work. At that time this war was not global. It was still between the VUVR, Vullan, and a few other states allied to Vullan. He did see some of them among the Rangers, but were put in different companies. According to a girl named Miah whom Naggit wrote to, they either joined the air force, army infantry, the airborne, and the armored cavalry.  Geren’s focused returned to the present as he stepped on a few pieces of palm bark that fell off a tree. For more than four hours they marched towards the islands with port settlements. None of them complained as they passed through four of these islands connected by bridges. Marines, infantry, Sailors, allies from Alagen, Nahem, Lybresan, Rovantia, and Ruhonthra. Marines wore a more sand-colored uniforms with their white undershirt, or blue shirt underneath. Wearing the same helmets as the rest of the ground military the marine branch had a gray crocodile on the half blue, half gold shoulder patch. For the army all the personnel wear either a bark shade of brown, a wilderness green, or the patriotic blue. Other units had white, and khaki for winter campaigns. Although they wore all terrain boots, they appeared to have more pockets than other personnel. On the shoulder patch of dark green rested a badger. Looking at their allies Verngannus recalled hearing something about Ruhonthra, Ivodra, Rovantia staying mostly neutral in this conflict. From the very lips of his friend Naggit he heard of places or countries like Mezeen Kingdom, Condor Confederacies, Kilscar Orvain, Oramantra, Oceanrest Var, Magesar, Eoth, Grussia, and Redrin. Just four of these other states declared themselves as neutral. This explained why their own fleet had to pull most of the weight at sea, and the invasion of the Unknown Lands. Dusk approached fast on these islands. It was taken as a sign the heat would drop a little. Geren did not keep track of which island they went to in this archipelago. All he noticed were the trees, brush, metal buildings and some bridges they crossed over. At the island with the docks their eyes looked upon some ships that were not Vestrisian.

In the dusk turning dark they made out the shapes of a merchant ship, one corvette ship, a battleship aka. Sea hunk, and a Destroyer. He heard Cunning’s voice luring the unit to the merchant ship. It sounded more like a command to them than a lure. Getting their hind ends to this merchant ship, they saw it belonged to a smuggler crew of 43. Boarding the merchant ship of steel, Verngannus and his fellow Ranger slept in one of the sections prepared for human cargo-passengers. Emiko was given her own room. Climbing onto bunks, and hammocks he heard the 86 Sal Ghamee pirates manned the corvette. On the bunk bellow Naggit the names and crew size of each ship from his friend’s mouth. All he could ask anyone now was who talked to who. It appeared someone had a big mouth among these smugglers. This merchant ship held the name SS Green Wife, their corvette sister escort holds the name Fat Croc, manned by the Sal Ghamee. As for the Battleship or the “Sea Hulk”, Tall Bear was its name. The Destroyer was called Thick Scales. Its very hull was manned by a crew of 215 who were from another part of Calorn. Before going to sleep he heard the Battleship Tall Bear came from Nevora with 1,567.

Geren woke up at the same time as his company did. Knowing that Major Cunning expected them to be ready they prepared for an exceptionally long day. Each Captain ate with their squad or platoon. Major Cunning checked each table while they ate the same grub the Green Wife’s crew had for breakfast. Eggs, crab, and grits washed down with coffee and a heated broth made from last night’s dinner they dubbed “sludge” filled his stomach. Some of the crew mocked them just to be satisfied over being hauled to unchartered territory. Their own ship Captain, a human named Joroll Poras made the crew get to work. Cunning did not allow his 96 Rangers to be egged into a fight. Catching their attention, he had them clean up to spare the fine group of four cooks and their crew mates some work. Putting away the tables and setting up chairs the Rangers prepared for a briefing. Emiko and Cunning presented a map on a large board on the wall. They stood by the large map waiting for someone else as the Rangers sat down. On their left side a door opened, and another unit entered the mess hall. All heads turned around to see a small unit of 14 female elves come over. Ten wore military fatigues, three wore alien combat armor with shaven heads, and one donned the Vestrisian blue uniform with the volunteer armband on their right arm.

“These fourteen elf soldiers are from other worlds, Dubbing themselves the Ladies of Pain.  Before we get started, get any funny ideas out of your heads! Got it!” Emiko warned them.

“Yes ma’am.” The male Rangers replied.

“Good, now listen skogers. Your mission is to search some islands and a couple or more structures. There are thousands of islands in this archipelago we called platform seas. However, you the Rangers are to search no more than a handful of these islands. Clear them of any hostiles and bring back whatever you found. The Sal Ghamee will be with you. Our small fleet will be with you.” Emiko briefed them. Cunning did not see pleased with that, but he kept his mouth shut.

“What about our fleet?” one of the Rangers asked sounding a little worried. Verngannus recognized the voice. He did not blame him, because these waters were unfamiliar.

“Your Countrymen are going north to beat back another Gantronese assault. The Sal Ghamee have provided you with nine longboats to haul yourselves to the islands. Everything you find or don’t kill with these ladies just leave it on the beach. It will be picked up. Am I clear on your orders, Rangers?” Emiko answered.

“Yes Ma’am, you are!” the shouted in unison.

“Dismissed.” Cunning yelled.

Gathering what they needed the 96 Rangers met Major Cunning, Emiko, the 14 female aliens on the deck. Using the boats their new friends provided they embarked to these islands. Even though they were used to getting on board ships, and boats these waters seemed choppy. Looking around he saw they were out of the circlet archipelago. Out in the open waters Geren gave witness to a sea of metal towers and structures on islands of various sizes. Whoever made these towering structures, crafted them into shapes like wine glasses, small dome bowls, beer mugs, colossal cauldrons, bench stools, barstools, without the space in between the legs. His eyes caught glimpses of towers in the shape of vases or planted pots upside down, and pitchers without the handles.

Their boats came closer to a grouping of islands that lay close together. These were flanked by a few other islands, a rock formation, pillars, and a metal structure jutting out in the water. From the boat his unit rowed in the direction of a structure that resembled a barrel cut in half, which had another island in the way. His gaze rested on the platform towers no one even knew about. A sight he got to see past the Arm of Ruined Souls with the rest of his platoon. An awestruck sight that made the jaw drop a little. When was all of this built? Closing the gap between them and these islands Verngannus recalled other units being brought in to explore other parts of the mysterious platform seas. Ten boats brought 112 to the first island in the center of the grouping. Aware they were miles deep in these platform seas the Rangers, Guide, and Volunteer Elf troops kept an eye out for hostiles. All the trees blocked the other towers further away from view. Two metal towers resembling the shapes of a stemless wine glass, and a mug with no handle. Oaks and other plants Naggit named covered much of the islands. Among the trees they spotted a dome shaped buildings standing one or two stories.

Disembarking from the vessels, these 112 pulled their landing boats onto the beach. As they left the craft there Cunning, and Emiko rallied the company on them. Falling in, the Rangers and Elves expected something to emerge out of the jungle. Geren now knew why they were here. His unit was one of the best units for this mission. Marines, Infantry, Airforce, and many others were needed at other fronts. All these islands were unexplored territory to them. With few entrances due to the long wall of wrecks these waters and isles held a darker secret. Looking at some trees he spotted something dangling from several branches.

Squinting his eyes Geren focused on the hanging objects. While his Major explained more details, he broke off from the rest. Moving closer to the small jungle he saw the objects were corpses hanging from the trees. He took a step closer to check out these corpses. Geren froze when his eyes spotted other figures standing upright in the jungle brush. Some figures had strange, shaped heads similar to hammerheads, eels, octopus, shark heads, squid heads, clams, stingray, and a worm. Geren thought he spotted claws, whiskers, or tendrils before his gaze was drawn to Emiko who appeared at his side. Cunning got to his other side. Geren looked over his shoulder seeing the others joined him. A few Rangers pointed out the corpses and him breaking away. There were plenty of crude sayings and cursing. All noises were silenced by Emiko and Cunning who both spotted the strange headed figures in the jungle. Those same figures were now approaching them.

“Emiko, do you know those are?” Major Cunning demanded from the feline archer.

“To be honest Major Cunning these are neither CSO nor Order of the Beast. Despite what recorded reports say there are more in these islands. As for these guys I can only guess are a different faction.” She replied to the Major.

“Well in any case, Rangers prepare-“. Major Cunning was cut off.

“HOLD YER FOREWARD FIRE, Vestrisians. Is that what your lot are called, Vestrisians?” one of the strange fish headed being spoke. All the Rangers and non Vestrisians held their fire.

A large seven-foot-tall humanoid that resembled a shark stepped out of the jungle. Behind them the rest of the beings emerged out as well. Rangers and allies backed away from the jungle as 241 humanoids who resembled various fish, cephalopods, decapods, mammals and reptilians revealed themselves to the Vestrisian. Wearing jumpsuits, combat armor, long raincoats, oil skin dusters, dirty fishermen jackets, leathery vests waterproof pants, and various hats. Some wore sock hats, sailor’s caps, and bean hats. Plenty of them had claws to use as weapons while others wore a weapon on them.

“Yes, we are Vestrisians, as for these fifteen others, they are aliens to us. Who are you?” Major Cunning replied to the shark humanoid.

“You mean us? We? Why we are yer saviors.” The Sharkman responded to Cunning.

“Our saviors? Did you hang those?-“ Emiko cut herself off before accusing this alien band of hanging anyone. Geren took his eyes towards these corpses. A total of 92 troopers with paratrooper style jumpsuit-fatigues, orange skinned figures, and equipment hung in their grasp. Whoever these vile looking fish people were, they held these dead paratroopers by the backs of their uniforms.

“These ninety-two ISN paratroopers planned to ambush you lot. One of their units of paratroopers made a drop northwest of yer countrymen’s positions. I saw one hundred fifteen of them paratroopers attempt a landing here. They seized the island then saw you coming this way. These ISN are the Inner Solar Neutralizers who work with the IGC, another faction stationed here. We, the Bockturai have a warning for your government, military and any allies.” The shark humanoid explained to them in detail.

“Are the IGC finally coming for the CSO, Order of the Beast, Toceanids, Aquanne Hitto?” Emiko asked this shark humanoid. This made the Bockturai give her a wide smile, revealing all his rows of teeth.

“Does Kurkox not strike you as the type the IGC would be after?” the shark asked her.

“Is there going to be another invasion?” Major Cunning demanded from the shark humanoid.

“Yes, yes there is definitely going to be one. Only on this part of your world.” Kurkox answered him. The smile disappeared.

“Is there anything this invasion force wants? Other than wipe you out, I mean.” Emiko asked the Shark humanoid named Kurkox.

“They are after all nonnative beings on this planet. However, they have already mistaken these Vestrisians soldiers for hostiles when they themselves are the invaders.” Kurkox answered. “Now if you will excuse us, we have to eat.”

Kurkox stripped one of the corpses and proceeded to chomp into it. He motioned for the rest to do the same before disappearing into the jungle. All they could do was wrap around the jungle to one of the metal towers that stood at nineteen stories high. Bothering them was the presence of the monster humanoid crew who appeared before them. In his mind Geren believed these reasons would cause to be alone for the longest time. He pictured another version of himself killing those monsters. Having one hundred twelve moving around like this made for a juicy target. All personnel kept their eyes on the jungle, metal, tower, but not the water.

For his unit to be here in the open said these hostiles set this up. Geren did not trust them even if they had guides or turncoats saying it was clear or whatever. Yet they still had to trust these pirates, and former members of this CSO he just heard about. Can he really believe of that? He might as well. Since their Calorn was not alone. Naggit almost waddled his way alongside them. All his extra equipment weighed him down a little. His friend was a medic, one of the most crucial and essential professions for military units. Over the years he saved 14 lives, patched up 57 wounds after any soldier or Ranger were hit in combat. Most of those he saved ended up dead anyways, but that was weeks to months after that.