Sixteen mounted soldiers of the VUVR's 1224th battalion plus a Desert Trooper went ahead of their battalion. Now astride a sand furred camel named Jeez, Malik rode towards the Abbahin desert. A 600-mile-wide desert of dunes, flat earth dotted with patches of grass, bushes, cacti, caves, black humped camels, and rocks. Recalling some past adventure when he was only fifteen, Malik recalled other things. An assortment of creatures and animals lived here in Abbahin Desert. Sixteen miles from Red Curve and ten miles west of a Hamlet called Snake's Lullaby, Abbahin is home to snakes, scorpions, camels, spiders, lizards, scarabs, rodents, hyenas, hares, and scavenger birds. There were also Jackalwares, Lamia, and toad Lizards.
"You've been here before, haven't you?" Malik heard someone ask from his left. It sounded more like an accusation than a question. Turning his head left he spotted Private Stephen McPaulis, the more prejudice one of the squads. Beak nosed, gaunt faced, square chinned, two moles on his nose Private McPaulis was an average human. Under his standard dark blue military cap rested Stephen's hair cropped hair of brown. McPaulis never liked Uxane, or Zegrav. He had to tuck that in due to this war.
"What does it matter to you? We wear the same uniform, boots, cap, and bean hat McPaulis." Malik rebuked back. The Private just squinted his eyes and spat on the sand. Malik let that slide. He had a strong feeling they would all die during this hunt for insurgents.
"Never mind who's been where! Move it soldiers!" Ritherson's voice carried over from the front of the pack.
Acting as the alpha leader Lieutenant Ritherson held a strong jawed appearance, triangular face, straight nose. His lean built physique under the tan uniform, white shirt, made his rank complete with a goatee and shaven head. Their usual double-breasted uniforms were blue, but that was for parades or if there was nothing else issued. Depending on where they were stationed Vestrisians had an assortment of fatigues. Khaki, Tan, white, green, brown or sand colored were used along with camouflages. Each one had a helmet, cap, beanie, or bandana. It became a lot to keep up with as well as equipment. Yet each style of uniform served its purpose on the field, blending in with their surroundings.
As one unit, sixteen Vestrisian Soldiers moved further into the wastes of Abbahin. Dusk was not far away for the region of Zegrav-Castaria border. Their sun set in the west bringing the daylight hours to a close. Two hours later at 8:45 pm they made camp. Yes, it was late for setting camp. Flashlights helped them set up camp. Under a single large canvas tent they slept together. Lined up in a single row the squad grabbed as much sleep as possible. Privates Naviddi Calumet, and Walter Olaff woke them up at what felt like five o clock. Both of them jumped out of their skin when they felt some critter crawl on their feet. Private Naviddi Calumet the female grenadier had a fear of creepy crawlies. Her caramel skin, black hair, brown freckles gave away her Zegrav-Vorcadam background. Naviddi did have a hint of Evusian in her eyes. A purple red tint in the eyes and a few strands of red dye representing the Evusian heritage. It made her a brief target until this war began. Private Walter Olaff stood at 5'11 as a sand haired Geverine from Tegian. Coming from a coastal settlement like Tegian, Olaff made for a strange submachine gunner. Most people thought this diamond faced; aquiline nosed, pretty boy chinned male belonged to the navy. His feet felt a scarab crawl against them. Both Privates were heckled lightly over that. Most squad mates were too angry over being woken up at an early hour. Lieutenant Ritherson saw this as an opportunity to begin the day.
Feeling like they were ahead of schedule the squad made morning meals. Each one wet the soil and sand when they relieved themselves. This six-hundred-mile-long desert. Getting ready for today's journey the squad left the tent up. Their current location was only twenty miles away from the edge. Ritherson chose Corporal Munn, and Private Sextur the marksman of the squad to guard camp. Reducing the squad to fourteen seemed a little risky. Searching for wanted criminals, fugitives, or rebels in regions like this exposed them to hostile eyes.
When they left the dark skinned Corporal and Beige Private, Malik turned around to see another group coming this way. Thirteen mounted figures made their way from the north by northwest. Ritherson ordered them to pause for a moment. One of them checked on the thirteen figures using binoculars. Malik could only sit and wait for Pumpeen to decipher who it was.
"It's another group of Vestrisians Lieutenant Sir."
"Must be Lieutenant Vanfin Jolee's squad of twelve humans, half-Orcs, Elemani, and half elves. They are likely to join us." Ritherson noted out loud, ignoring their presence. As though he was alone Ritherson pointed out more to himself than to anyone else.
"Are they hunting down the same target?" Private Sedwash asked from his right back flank. Turning his head right Malik spotted Sedwash's round face, wide nostrils, frowning brow, short chin, a scar from a Gnoll's claw on his left cheek. Recalling last year's experience with Gnolls Malik was sure he hid more. Under Sedwash's unformed and undergarments were five claw marks including one on his right buttocks.
"They should be Private. Colonel Zepher has orders to hunt down any insurgents." Malik heard himself answer. Sedwash gave a surprised facial expression for a reply.
Since the insurgency in Castaria ended Malik predicted more troops and Country Guard would move on to Zegrav. As a low ranking officer, he could be filled in on what happened to the front or elsewhere. Up north in the mountains of New Vattoram, other states and nations showed their true colors. A faction that called itself the MLIS arose. Really known as the Mountain League of Independent States, it started annexing the mountain factions. Absorbing the neighbors into an empire created a new conflict. That conflict would draw needed forces away from the main fronts. From what he heard their V.U.V.R. had reserves just for that. Other events occurred elsewhere such as a stalemate in Zekmar, their forces pushing further into Gontrella, Muskalla, and Vimasdra. Manpower for two of those enemies was dropping fast. Generals, Colonels, Field Marshalls probably predicted its fall in the next few months.
On his camel Malik felt the heat beatdown on his clothes. Like the others Malik's Camel let out grunts as it moved. Moving around a little, the beasts showed their displeasure in staying put for a bit. Acting fast Ritherson led the squad towards their fellow Vestrisians. He did not move without marking where they previously stood. Sticking a thirteen-and-a-half-foot retractable pole in the ground. On the very tip of the pole sat a fist sized mirror to reflect sunrays for codes. Meeting the other squad Ritherson's squad learned about another gang of insurgents. It was part of the same one they were sent after. Yesterday the Vestrisian 1224th seized a Motte and Bailey from insurgents. Ten Vestrisians were wounded, close to 85 died in combat. For the insurgents mounted to be 451 killed, and sixty-one taken prisoner. Militia and Country Guards helped out from all directions, losing a few hundred.
While returning to camp they greeted the thirteen other Vestrisians. Jolee's squad rode camels, horses, and ugly reptile mounts. Covered in scales and boils these mounts called Gathsorine were going extinct. To a Zoologist or animal lover it would be sad to watch a species died out. Malik met several of those types of characters who died to poisonous cacti. Scattered cacti, rocks, drying riverbeds, signs of past travelers, bushes of weeds, some skeletons, and debris from past adventures added more to scenery. Upon returning to camp Ritherson gave them an hour's rest before moving out again. Breaking camp the doubled unit moved out as a platoon. Twenty-nine mounted soldiers rode their mounts at full gallop. Aong the way Malik caught the names of some members of the thirteen fellows 122nd infantry. He caught whiff of names such as Sergeant Saben, a black-haired figure with half a pretty face, and scarred face came from Lheobethe. Private Sigliina, a half elf with cropped gold hair, stubble beard, and Private Keth the third half Orc with green, gray skin, brown mustache. Keth came from a certain part of Castaria. Aside from those three names Malik spotted Private Melissa Sullenir, a blonde haired Elemani female from Naatidra. She was more of the camp leader type for scouts as well as a librarian type. Today she did not don spectacles. Her eyesight was poor some days for reading. Everything else she could see fine.
He couldn't spot everyone in the platoon sized unit. Everyone else were behind him or ahead of Malik. Riding towards the south in a wedge shape formation, the platoon traversed sixteen miles. Jolee and Ritherson stopped the platoon near a crashed aircraft halfway buried in the sand. Identifying it deemed impossible because of exposure to the elements and the corrosion of metal. The desert wind picked up slightly, pushing sand in several directions. One small snake slithered out of a hole in the downed aircraft. A Zegrav Cobra is the classification they were looking at. Some of the camels got a little spooked. As they grunted and grumbled the lizard mount dove for the snake, throwing the rider off its back. Private Samanth, the scout was the one thrown off the mount at the feet of the camels. Samanth had her face completely covered with a set of goggles over her eyes. Most of the platoon burst with laughter. Malik found himself laughing a little. Emitting as mile across his lips, Malik glanced over at the lizard mount eating its cobra snack.
Not too far from the crashed aircraft a large dune sort of towered over them. Gazing upon this hill sized dune he spotted several large stones jutting out. Scattered along this dune's base, the stones were not the only things sticking out. Malik approached the dune drawing his rifle from its holster in the saddle. Securing his Eagletan-7 Repeater against the shoulder pit he stepped closer. Samanth's lizard mount slurped up another snake from the sand. It did not care for its surroundings. Something in the dune stirred adding proof to Malik's suspicions. From the dune three groups armed with spears emerged out of the sand. One trio of Ghoul-Orcs, another trio of Goblins, and a third group of twelve Ghoul-spawn burst from the sands. Clearly an ambush they set up. Ghoul Orcs had a grotesque appearance, lopsided eyes, small, snubbed noses, cat eye nostrils, green-gray skin under layers of cloth strips, and rags, stitched together. Goblins had those big pointy ears, wide smiles, rows of sharp teeth, various skin tones, and heights of three or four feet. Some had small eyes while others had big eyes. Dressed in completely light-colored shirts, and pants wrapped tightly against their bodies with strips.
Ghouls varied in appearance, but none of them appeared pleasant to look at. Holding the similar appearance to a decaying corpse they looked more dead than alive. Ghouls would have grayish skin, pale skin, sand skin or vomit green. Some had no lips, others with blistery lips. Their eyes would come in tints of black, red, yellow, white, and orange. In Badraan and Kaniima, Ghouls were repopulating with upright spawn who did not look any better than actual Ghouls. Malik only heard about this occurrence after the fall of Castaria. Samanth's mount killed on of the Goblins before it could swipe another one down with a front claw. Each attacker became filled with bullets from Vestrisian guns. Not taking any chances the platoon fired into the dune. Ensuring no one else was in the sands they fired into two more dunes. Yes, it was a waste of ammo, but they needed to make sure no more traps waited for them. As they checked ammo Ritherson checked the corpses. Malik knew what he was really doing, looting the bodies. From the top of the dunes another figure popped their head up.
"Up there, on the dunes!" he shouted pointing out the figure peaking over the dunes. Still forced to keep his eyes on the dunes, Malik let the others shoot. Two platoon members fired on the single figure. Whoever or whatever race they were he could not tell from the base of the dune. His fellow soldiers put a couple of holes in the figure on the dune. Their body slumped down on the sand.
"Corporal Malik take two Privates and check what is past those dunes." Ritherson commanded the Corporal.
He had to obey his commanding officer. For a brief moment he thought of which Privates to take. Private Sextur, and Private Swannson appeared more willing to go up there. Both had their faces covered making it difficult to identify them. Giving each one a good glance he could read their blue and green eyes. Neither of them looked ready to go up to the dunes. However, they had no other choice. Forced to clamber up the dunes they just shot up, Malik and the two Privates obeyed orders. Not many were a fan of obeying orders. Orders had to be obeyed or they would face punishment. Getting to the top of the dunes was a struggle. The sand went down whenever they tried grabbing hold to get up. Their pathway upwards felt like a landslide whenever sand gave way to their elbows or grasp. Clawing into the sand Malik could have sworn he burned the palms of his hands through the gloves. When each one reached the top of the dune they were coated in sand. Wiping the sand from his goggles, Malik got a good look at what lay beyond the dunes. Spread out across approximately quarter or so mile, several mound sized hills made a foundation to some mines and settlements. Checking their surroundings Malik found their peaking figure several feet away. With a better look this one he saw it was a Zegrav noble siding with the rebels. Unfortunate for the noble, he law dead in the blood soaking sand.
Returning his gaze back to the settlements Malik spotted more than just mines in the area. Nine tent roofed huts, eight tents, six large huts, three mud brick houses, five mines, a total of nine wells, some old adobe castle, tavern ruins, four hideouts, and six large stones stretched across half a mile. Other structures could be seen adding more to this scenery they discovered. Seventeen sites of past outposts, an old tower, forty-five campsites of adventurers, explorers, and hunters. He figured the camps had left them due to failed quests, lost expeditions, or unfortunate adventurers meeting their end. Towards the farthest point from them lay some old ruins with pillars. Malik could not tell which civilization it once housed. One newly constructed tower stood next to the ruins like a watch tower.
Lieutenant Ritherson and the rest of their combined platoon joined them. From this dune, Malik and his fellow soldiers witnessed quite a gathering. More than eight-hundred armed figures raced over to the center of the region. Ritherson looked through his detached scope. The other commanding officer ordered one of his Lieutenants to see through their own binoculars. Jolee ordered the Lieutenant to say what he saw.
"Gnolls, Troglodytes, no Goblins, some Orcs, Kaniima Raiders, Kaniims, Uxanes, Lamia Lions, Sessine Camel Kols, Jackals? Wait, there are Goblins among them. Lieutenant there are also Perispawn, Lembaskun spawn, and wolf-Gnolls. They could be Jackal Weres." the Lieutenant in training reported. He pulled the binoculars from his eyes.
From here Malik could barely make out the Gnolls, but they were tall creatures. Other humanoids rushed around the spread-out settlement within the dunes. He knew the orange tan furred Lembaskuns could be identified because of their ape like appearance. As for the Perispawn, their reptilian humanoid appearance could not be deciphered well enough. They liked to cover their bodies from head to toe. His fellow Vestrisians shifted in the sand appearing uncomfortable with the size of the horde they would be facing soon. Preparing his rifle Malik focused on the surrounding hills, dunes, and mounds. The way things were situated made it appear they were on the edge of a vast pit. Hills, Dunes, mounds, wrapped around the area like an unfinished or demolished spiral formation. To their left flank he caught sixt stray camels in the corner of his eye. Each one had the black fur on the top of the hump. In a crooked formation the beasts plodded their way along the dunes.
Malik looked at the farthest thing from their position, the recently built battle tower. Judging from the way these insurgents or brigand army operated that tower looked abandoned. Although he did not have any scope, binoculars, or spyglass Asim's eyes did not fool him. Sometimes his eyesight deceived him. This time they did not. Behind it stood the dune and hill with a group of figures crawling on top. To the right flank his eyes glimpsed another group preparing to attack.
"Sir, I see two more groups encroaching on the insurgents." Malik pointed out to Lieutenant Ritherson.
"Would you look at that. Sergeant check those two spots along the dune ridges." Ritherson ordered the main squad sergeant. Lieutenant Jolee did the same thing, copying Ritherson.
Sergeant Pumpeen and the other soldier wasted no time. In a matter of a few seconds, they each gave their report. Pumpeen gave his brief discovery followed by the other soldier in Jolee's unit. In his gruff voice he gave out what he saw to his squad leader. Malik swore at times the Sergeant sounded more like he should be telling life stories with advice in them.
"A platoon's worth of twenty-six Knights that are preparing an attack sir." Pumpeen's voice grunted the words out of his mouth.
"There is a force of sixty or so Uxane tribal militia. An Uxane tribe from Castaria's southern woods." The other spotted reported to Jolee. Uxane were scattered all over the map in Calorn. It had more to do with migration, and nomadic lifestyle. For millennia this group of humans migrated from place to place. Some groups broke off forming their own communities until all the Uxane peoples were settled.
Malik was given the binoculars to see for himself. Sure, enough these two forces launched an attack on the insurgents. at first it took them by surprise. Scores fell while the rest scattered for cover. Several dozen of the insurgent brigands managed to return fire. An opportunity presented itself before the Vestrisians. With the intended targets preoccupied Asim's squad mates and comrades started down the dune's other side. No one went down the sandy hill without firing a few rounds first. At ground level with the insurgents the combined platoon found a few more structures. About half the structures made from brick or mud stood at least two stories tall. They hugged some structure closest to the base of the dunes. Jolee ordered his own squad to move ahead as the fighting went on. Hardly a shot was fired in their direction. If one did fire their way the bullet would hit the ground or the surrounding buildings. Splitting up the squads the Vestrisians rushed for buildings closest to them. Ritherson had his unit begin seizing one of these buildings.
"Malik check this building for hostiles!" Ritherson ordered the Corporal.
Not even blinking or hesitating< Malik went up to the closest window as he went around. He crouched low hoping to avoid detection. For some reason it reminded him of the wealthier women he met or saw during his boot camp days. Those ladies knew how to drive and went up to coffee shops at the window. Around this time, drive thru window was a new trend in larger cities. Their intention was to avoid the creeps, offenders, stalkers, and female beaters. Through Malik's mind it would be easier to have a guard at the door who would beat those types of guys up. Avoiding them would only drag the problem out. It would allow them to find the homes of some of those ladies. Malik was sent over here before he was even asked to help some of the women with that problem. Checking the building through the window he found fifteen Uxane held prisoner. Each were tied up or bound to the walls. Hold them there was a group of five pirates. The only way one identified a pirate was by tattoos depicting skulls, crossed weapons ship wheel or a kraken.
With a better look inside, he noticed it was one small gang of six pirates. One of the lay wounded but appeared to be healing or just hanging out to rest. This building had to be a hide out or something. even though it appeared to be in adobe style, the walls looked every cave like. A stray bullet must have hit the wounded man somewhere in the chest. Blood soaked their clothes and parts of the dirt floor. Before Malik moved to report, more shots were exchanged. Two bullets hit the door frame and exterior wall. Malik dropped to the ground in response. On his belly he spotted a Zegrav Guard rushing over to this building. Did they even see me? Is all he could think at the moment like this. Fighting inside this pit ensued as both sides took positions. As the Zegrav ran this way, Malik raised his rifle and fired at them. He only hit the leg, dropping the guard. Doing that scared the pirates inside their adobe hideout.
"Aahh!!" Sverx you, Gronder! We should have stayed at the Tavern!" one of the pirates yelled.
"The rebels would have killed us anyways.
another voiced pitched in, arguing with the first.
"For what, piracy?" a third voice remarked.
"Just-just join the Vestrisians. The tribes are searching for their Chiefs." a fourth voice said shakily. They tried to sound tough, but the battle took it out of them.
Out of the window a half-Goblin half Orc popped their head to see who was there. They held a white piece of cloth as a sign of peace. Whichever pirate it was they produced a guilty grin that showed its sharp teeth. he was surprised the sun was not directly above the Goblin-Orc's head. It hovered over the area sending heat down on the lot of them. Exchange of fire followed by clashing still lingered as background noise. Three shots out of a score or more hit the building. Malik felt small pieces of debris fall on him. As for the Goblin, they ducked down inside. He wondered if any shots got that pirate, but he was proven wrong when their voice appeared again.
"Hey Vestrisian!" the Goblin-Orc called to him. A few more shots whistled past them. Those shots were answered by Malik's platoon.
"Yeah, what?" He answered back unsure if he should trust a pirate.
"We um switched sides." the Goblin yelled back.
"That won't guarantee you will avoid being locked up!" he warned the Goblin in a loud forceful manner.
"Suits us just fine, Vestrisian!" the Goblin answered in return. Something about that reply did not ensure any security. Pirates were known to backstab anyone given the right opportunity.
One of the pirates exited the two-story hideout armed with a Zegrav rifle. A three feet long bolt action rifle with a metal frame buttstock, and wood covering the barrel. Even though they were in the open they approached the wounded Zegrav insurgent guard. Showing little hesitation, and no mercy the Goblin Pirate shot the wounded guard dead. Like many pirates would they took the dead guard's weapon from the corpse. Seeing this as signal to move Mailk crawled his way to the entrance as a few more shots hit the walls above him. A pair of strong arms pulled him inside the building. His Goblin acquaintance raced inside with more shots following. Sitting himself upright from the ground he got a better look inside the place. Fifteen Uxane-Zegrav-Castarian Chieftains sat against two walls bound in ropes. Some wore cow hide fleeces, plaid shirts, hide leather vests, laced leather hide shirts, loin cloth hides, wrap clothing with tribal designs on them. Some of the Chiefs were female who appeared to be the most clothed in modern clothing. Several shots hit the hideout building forcing the pirates down on the ground. None of them were hit. Malik's own unit returned fire.
"Go ahead and release the Chiefs! These Vestrisians are here!" One of the pirates yelled in a panicked voice.
The one he presumed was called Grondor, moved on that. A Goblin-Orc of five feet tall wearing a loose green shirt, ripped jeans, and hat flap, cut the ropes binding the Chiefs. Quickly releasing the captives from their bonds these pirates looked hopeful in a renewed relation with the Vestrisians. That was easier done but getting weapons for them proved difficult. Only nine of the captives received a weapon. Whether it was a dagger, gun, or bludgeon weapon, it would not matter. This battle in the dune surrounded pit turned into a melee fight.
Looking over where the battle took place Malik saw more hostiles emerging from various buildings. Some emerged out of the tents set up revealing a foxhole or underground hideout. A few scores poured out of some mines. The tribal militia and Knights now engaged in melee, found themselves caught in a fragmented encirclement. Other groups joined in the fight for their own reasons. One group in particular were the Lamia Lions. Those humanoids had lion bodies for legs attached to the upper body of a humanoid. Shaggy hair, long ponytails, braids, shaven heads, spotted heads, dreads, and self-inflicted tribal scars donned their heads. Another group called the White Jackals made their move. With five hundred sixty pale furred or white skinned half Jackalweres in loincloth wraps or tunics, these white jackals overwhelmed their positions.
Malik estimated they killed close to 856 or more enemies, wounding over a score before the Jackals jumped in. He fended off several Jackals armed with those sickle Khopesh swords, axes, and spears. It seemed outdated to fight with melee weapons. Yet Zegrav's population were left with limited access to firearms it made sense. You would either have to make your own weapons or steal them. Malik thought to himself. There were also the hidden stockpiles the VUVR often overlooked. He could not blame the VUVR. Some of the deserts in Zegrav were unbearable to search. It only allowed the anti-Vestrisians to get away with hiding such caches. The main conflict going on did not help either. Gunning down ten Jackals Malik looked where their local aid fought the mass of insurgents. Most of them lay dead among hundreds of dead insurgents. As for the rest, the Jackals made quick work of them. His own platoon let losses go by as they unleashed a torrent of fire into the horde of white Jackals and insurgents.
From their left flanks another unit of Vestrisians arrived at the scene. Ritherson and the other squad commander barked for them to take positions. He stopped Malik for some reason he could not fathom. Sextur was also ordered to stay put with Ritherson. As the other unit of twenty-three Vestrisians moved in the insurgent's exchanged gunfire. Arrows, bullets, small rocks from slings came their way from the insurgent's side of the pit. One small rock hit Munn on the helmet before an arrow hit Munn in the chest. As arrows cluttered the ground or broke against the buildings hopes for victory started to dwindle. One by one the Vestrisian platoon fell to the insurgent arrows, and gunfire. The day dragged on as the insurgents took cover like the Vestrisians did. However, their casualties made a carpet of bodies. Out of nowhere Lieutenant Ritherson went down with a bullet to the side of his head. All the shooting drowned out the shot that took Ritherson's life. All they could notice was his body slumping down on its side.
Malik turned left to find the newly arrived Vestrisians killing Lieutenant Jolee. Each one was Zegrav natives taking a dagger to their own Lieutenant's throat. Malik maneuvered his body to shoot hitting a female Zegrav solider who held the bushy hair in a bun. Her cry of death could barely be heard above the shooting that started to die down. Realizing what was happening the other Vestrisians in his unit turned to gun down these Zegrav traitors. Every surviving insurgent used this as a distraction to overwhelm the Vestrisian squads of the 1224th. Malik was hit with a hooked drudge mace from the flank. He collapsed feeling pain and numbness sweep his body. Flashes of his life appeared in his view as his life faded away into blackness.
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