Brex's own attire included a pair of overalls over a laced green shirt that belonged to a much older era. He did not care if it looked bad. Less than handsome Brex still had a bit of charm along with reliability. The other passenger cars which made up the other 18 cars were still being hauled by the main locomotive. It was for this trip up north where the Nevoran Federation found itself invaded. Its neighbors did not care at the moment it started. For some reason they believed none of their borders would be treaded upon. Especially by these invaders. Whatever the Calornese Alliance or the V.U.V.R. had for an agenda against slavery went past them. Brex Parmoon could already envision the letters being burned after auctions or transfers were made. Some 8,000 female goblins were sold to the invaders with collars or leashes. His eyes went to the armed Rogue clutching the two items in their hands. In their grip the two weapons appeared cleaned, sharpened or tightened.
In their own seat this Rogue, a tall goblin hybrid who looked one hundred twenty-eight shared mumblings. Double the average age most goblins live. Age always varied among living beings on Calorn. It depended on the being's race, health, profession, habits, or fortune when it came to death. Especially when it came to how long one lived in life, their lifespan. Wrapped in a hooded robe that resembled a coif of some sorts this one wore it with a cossack decorated in a mix of pendants. This style appeared more like an abomination. A patchwork made from a former cossack mixed with a brown robe. Zemat was known for its heat, desert, shifting humidity, oasis dotting the desert, the jungle that semi encircles it. Applique is what he can tell was applied in making this outfit that was too warm for Zemat's climate. As if he doesn't exist Brex got up in his own attire. All he could think of were paupers, peddlers, peasants, regular beggars, hobos, educated trash.
In the depths of their passenger car Brex moved while grabbing the handles installed to keep upright during the train's movement. Brex did not hesitate to check the passenger compartments around his own. A total of twenty compartments with bunk seats meant for passengers. Their own compartment sat in the center across from an active one where the groom and best man were playing cards. One wedding part of 221 Orcs spread out on the eleven passenger cars. Passing this one he checked the other passengers to the left of his own and the right of the groom's compartment. One handsome loner eating lunch in one was unaware of a buxom fan spying on him twice in a row. She pressed her chest against the window door to get his attention. Not fooled that this scholar was clueless on what to do he slowly crept by the scene. However, her own friends glared at her as she entered the loner's compartment. Another compartment closer to the end had three professors with their students. In earshot Brex caught a whiff of the se professors advising these young women to seek out a loner adventuring ranger. Their leadership roles required to find the one named Gunnar. Double checking on the scenes he noted these were more Zallic Humans, and those of Zemat travelers sharing the same train car as members of the Orc Wedding Party.
Not even bothering to consider their friendship with the loner's admirer Brex encouraged the loner to the lock the door. Even though they themselves could still open the door this trio of manhaters scoffed, sneered, glared at him with flaring nostrils. Used to women getting pissed off at him Brex passed the other compartments full of Orcs. Couples, small families, or those with older siblings mature enough filled up these compartments. While the train kept moving smoothly on the tracks Brex made it to the next passenger car they called Zagos. Upon his entry inside the train car Zagos Brex swore by the deities Etiebe, Tibia the Sibonoti Elf seafaring deity, the Parallel Gate on the Hill, this car was full of arguing. A certain son of a Director of General Security, Abun Lamin Naahirn argued with a green suited figure. Director of Security Obdall Lagog Naahirn had multiple offspring he called children from two women. Brex had subtly stumbled upon an argument Lamim started over loneliness.
"Don't go woah, woah, you stay out of this! This doesn't concern you!" an artist companion to Lamim barked at the first figure. To the rich green dressed figure he appeared more like an annoying cat found on the passenger car.
At the door Brex listened to this gossip encouraging argument. From this vantage point he spotted fourteen others out of their compartments. Behind them his gaze spotted Orcs, humans, hybrids peering out of doors. Dressed in a suit stood a Paladin or off duty Paladin of human descension. Brex swore that Paladins became scarce across civilization. In the casual clothing a guardian half elf armed with a modified rifle muttered something Brex caught in his hearing. "Don't treat him like a nobody." In a curious fashion Brex looked at the thin son of the Director of Security with light tan skin. His artist companion wore a blue shawl scarf over a traditional tunic style Chiton. Out of date compared to the current attire the Tunic Chiton wasn't the only style kept around. The autocracy Zaul required a buckled uniform raglan sleeved stoffe to go with the trousers lined with bar like bins up the pant legs.
Everyone else wore travel clothing that could be cleaned with just brushing. What wasn't easily identifiable were Mindros Mages who used arcane practices to remove or warp memories. Some Mindros Mages even permitted people to see previous events or conversations that happened. From their own point of view. He recalled these mages used a crystal to take away knowledge from a person. What got him the most was that a female among them so happened to be one such mage. Raven suave style flowing hair brushed to the right side made her appear beautiful. Her own apparel made her stick out a little. Decorative dark blazer, vest, stripe shirt with a high collar, winged brooch. The right hand held a mug with a gold sleeve depicting hieroglyphs. On this right she wore a black glove, two gold bracelets. Her hazelnut eyes went with an olive skin tone. With a straight expression her face possessed thin eyebrows holding some calm, cool atmosphere about her presence. Her ungloved hand rose up emitting a quick flash of light blue. Brex received parts of the conversation right up to his entry.
"...Title for an Acoll series..." someone was reading from a newspaper.
"A warrior's calling." Another person read over their shoulder.
"MPs, Infantry, Airborne pulled from the front. Sounds like they aren't throwing enough parties..." the first person kept reading.
"I've been single this whole time!" Lamim blurted out to her. It sounded more like he was shouting, but her calm demeanor did not break.
"...Beginning numbers of invasion forces or start of..."
"Do they need to cancel sports to make them miserable?" another voice said from a blurred figure.
"The fault doesn't lie with the author every time, but within the reader if they don't always understand."
"...Let's see. Clothing, doublets, flannel shirts, quilted clothing? Brocade, linens, robes, buckled shoes, waders of some sorts. Blue denim trousers. Burgundy doublets, suede shoes, breeches, leather boots, laced leather pants, coarse linens, khakis, patched vests, belt vests. Are we missing..."
Lamim desired a woman, and a male partner in life according to the rest of the argument. Brex thought he should wait until he graduated, or saw parts of the world. All that did was remind him of personal losses he suffered. A popular person's death left him hollow inside for a decade. he attempted to forget about that day when the person passed away. What he did not want to receive was a glimpse of something else. In the back of his mind he caught something. Vestrisians will demand for all civilian collaborators spared. It was that or the region be left to the Nevoran Federation. Just as a warning to allies and partisan groups fighting the alien invaders. Brex just waved those thoughts as his own idea popping up in his head. The Zallic contractor looked right at a made Lamim whose gaze met his own.
"Don't let unexpected situations throw you off. Even if it is a female vampire from another world." Brex advised to the son the Director of General Security.
His body pressed forward in the passenger car brushing pas the onlookers to an argument that could ended by handing over an address. His path led him to the next train car used for cargo. Named Dopacho this next cargo car held weapons he loaded himself. Four months ago, the alien invaders called the Nazdar, the Gantronese invaded the notorious Nevoran Federation. Right after this failed invasion of five waves these invaders attempted a second invasion. This Dopacho labelled cargo train held 31 shotguns, 130 early versions of submachineguns, 20 light machineguns, 110 Assault Rifles from the V.U.V.R, 200 rifles, 10 rail guns,100 pistols, 10 heavy anti vehicle guns, and 10 snipers. Those were the weapons he loaded up himself as a shipment to help. A small amount to avoid authorities. Hooked down on the train's exposed cargo car carried 18 types of turrets, cannons, barrels for tanks. Wheels, cogs, gears, treads for tanks, half tracks were included. Each delivery meant for the front as expected on schedule.
What he did not expect was for a cute gold haired ex-pirate with piercings to push him to a seat on another car when he attempted to return. She brought him a cider ale. A second one followed. Brewed smooth lager. Brex got to sit with the groom, the groom's father, the bride's father. Nogith Dume Pigog the groom, Dume Bolig Pigog the groom's father, Sogram Ked Fullbash the bride's father had a third drink with him. This wedding to come was in honor of the year an Orc Child became an adult warrior. According to customs Orc Parents or partners remarried once an Orc child became an adult moving out. In a drunken state the four discussed how a new set of weapons or production line of weaponry emerged. Vehicles, firearms, tanks, new boats, trucks, cargo types, armored cars. Some weapon types included Anti-Aircraft Gun Bucket, Anti-Infantry Gun Bucket, Sting Rod Missile Trucks. Gun Bucket was more of an open turret on the back of a truck, halftrack or open treaded vehicle. In slurred jumbled speech they mentioned how Zaul and Zemat's sovereignties could unite. Brex did not really think it would happen. That idea got under the skin of the Orcs whose Red Wolf Deity went against Zemat's autocratic ruler who preferred the arcane deities. Demiurge of the Core Planes was one arcane deity. A nine-armed arcane mage in a hood, layered robes became worshipped among twelve other deities.
As of this very century, and decade Zemat, not his home country lost the region of Zeaviin. Not only a large chunk of land, but shrines to the twelve deities became locked down. One in particular had many followers made pilgrimages to at a seasonal basis. Followers say this shrine hosts the Flaming Sword of called Charasa Makohul the Flaming Scimitar. Another known Flaming Scimitar sat in an exhibit in the V.U.V.R.
Whoever the bride's friends were acted civil and mature around the non Orcs of Zaul. Just an act they liked to put on just to mooch off people or gain certain positions. When it came to Scholars, apprentices, board gamers, zoologists, theatre students, alchemists flat out bashing, insults spew out. Brex enjoyed rating those types of girls out just to watch them sink into their seats or grovel for approval. It wasn't just the spoiled Orc girls, the humans, and half breeds pulled that stunt off everywhere in big cities. Brex did not have a map of their side or part of the world on him. It would actually hurt them even more inside as most wanted to get drunk with excuses. Despite the recognized internationally drawn borders Zaul included Orc Tribes in their domain. This could be adding more than 35,000 extra male Orcs or even more. Maybe other warriors among tribes in the south could be included. Among these civilized tribes he thought of the Classy Steele Orcs, the Onion Helmed Proost, Serefe Orcs, Slanted eyed Orcs.
That very next morning Brex ate up a plate of breakfast sticks with one of the passengers he shared a compartment with. Each piece tasted of foreign origins to him. Nothing bad just a mix of honey and something else his tongue found rather sweet. He hung out with the Orc party who were bound for the second invasion of Nevora. Bride and Groom were already married with children. According to their culture a couple remarried after the last child or offspring reached adulthood. In Orc culture it varied between tribes it was 14 and 15 years of age to reach adult hood.
In the wedding ceremony any friends, or relatives who took part in the wedding fought in whichever conflict was going on. One hundred warriors became the desired number for this after wedding event. Not the normal wedding events non-Orc cultures held or practiced this event was referred to as Onugog Ungagh. Seven full days went by due to multiple stops made their journey longer. Each stop became another delay in each location right up to the regions south of the Baz-Revereth Invasion sites. Further south of those sites was the second invasion that drew closer to the borders of the neighbors of the Nevoran Federation.
Christelone, Izavod, Ostrim were three out of seven nations who felt the most threatened. Two hundred twenty-one Orcs were not the only ones arriving to face another invasion. These Nevoran Federation Elves had a few divisions lingering north of the second landings. No more than 1,814 warriors from Zaul, Zemat, Friscian Confederacies, Thannon, Boteran, arrived to combat these invaders. Estimating a forced of 37,528-48,000 in the invasions force Nevora sent in the foreign fighters and mages in first.
Despite fighting the scum, unwanted filth, grotesque spawn these Nevoran Federalists unleashed against them, he still felt unfamiliar with their military might. It confused him even more. Mages among the lesser or lower tiers of its hierarchy made up most of his past encounters. In one skirmish while serving the Minister of Higher Advanced Education Scientific Research, Gazane Ibrul, he captured several mages. Each one wore this Arcanist's Padding Armor. Under 9000 of which they crafted. Once they mobilized along the flank of the 1084th Division, the newly arrived 356th Falcons Witches found themselves in a complicated circumstance. Among the 5,080 or more witches this 356th were no longer considered citizens or disowned by families. Armed with spells, sickle weaponry, cleavers, cudgels those witches counter attacked with 222 Lamia Naga prisoners they aimed to use as pets or bodyguards. Among their other pets some 1,758 fell, or those wounded marched with another force. Called the Hooved Chimera or the 2004th Brigade, about four thousand tribal Dark Elves heeded Nevora's call to service.
Under the impression the 1084th were going to help Brex's own unit pressed their advance. In the dark they found few empty settlements in what is called Yien. Anxiety gripped a 23-year-old Maisa Dashan Doopeil in their attempted to catch the scenery. Their Dagero Daguerreoptype, a crystal powered process became extra luggage to haul. For this Doopeil he handed over the Mogman BMZ Gun tractor. One armed car with tank treads installed. It became perfect for hauling it and her tripod photography. Five photos, and six bronze framed pictures were taken of the witches, Dark Elves, members of the Covartz Cavalry who posed for her. Within the limits of a settlement capable of housing over seven thousand people they found stray cats. Most of them lived in houses two stories tall. What he could not get over was how unusually large these felines were compared to regular cats. Most of the smaller cats scattered while the larger ones stuck close to them. This animal inhabited settlement showed signs of previous troop movement. Mainly footprints showing it became a scrambled, disoriented evacuation. On a total of five streets, they came across a dozen clockwork tanks that came from a strict production facility. Known as Hottogo21s these Heavy Clock Work Tanks, Hessen 220 Mobile Assault Cannons ran for a short period of time.
Not working for the main defenders these clockwork vehicles rendered themselves as useful artillery. It pressured the main force of a once full unit of 700 down to 332 into their advance. Running the vanguard of this campaign was the unit called Scorpion Variant. Over twelve thousand combatants encountered the enemy at an empty settlement called Creeds. Meant to be the headquarters of the Metal Crown Assassins Creeds became more like a home for other guilds. House to house fighting commenced between their forces and a few thousand enemy combatants called the wide Brimmed Iron Gunkata. Mainly gunslingers dressed in armor these Gantronese aligned fighters were responsible for some atrocities. Some witch schools getting caught in the crossfire as the invasion pushed deeper enraged many Nevoran enlisted personnel.
Brex called their current engagement a massacre between the two parties. He swore to himself that his ears blocked out the cries and the shooting. Each side scrambled to maintain positions along the limits of the settlements until the vehicles came involved. Those vehicles included Austerd Assault Crawlers, Super Cannon Buggy Enforcers squeezed through the gaps in the lines. Plowing through the gates of the walled sections drew them into ambushes in the streets. A percentage of their vehicles were lost along with ground personnel. Fighters, soldiers, mercenaries, volunteers found themselves in various circumstances at the hands of the invaders. Amidst the chaos caused by the ambushes Brex's unit came across one individual better acquainted with the city. A lone elf armed with what he mistook for a Katana, several short swords managed to take down eight deadly invaders in one ambush. Botching a few other ambushes Brex's combined unit made attempts to save other units as they poured in. The lone elf, Alexander Green-Blaze led a smaller unit of humans and half elves loyal to the Nevoran Federation. Patriotism came at a price within the borders of the Nevoran Federation for those who were not light blue or whichever skin color those elves were. After the invaders arrived Nevorans started to see each other as equals fighting the same entity.
Better acquainted with this city this lone elf managed to take down eight of these invaders. Using a custom katana, a couple of short swords, a flintlock shaped club. Simply armed with standard weaponry, chaotic sorcery, fists, wits whatever remained of their units grabbed some guts. As if ordered Nevoran's defenders eliminated the invading foes. Despite the homefield advantage they attacked from different angles. His own unit was backed by fresh ones pouring in just to get back at these invaders. Numerous windows were shattered. Corners crumbled, became filled with debris, remains of combatants. Plenty of rooftops were blasted from arcane missiles. Most square feet of the combat sites were riddled with holes from all the shooting. Desperate to drive the invader out those on foot rushed multiple positions. Regardless of the casualty rates fireballs, electric shock, wind blast, arcane blasts, destroyed the structures in their path. Structures burned from the fire balls, grenade blasts, knocked over candles, smashed lanterns. Others became reduced to rubble. Some collapsed on the enemy from certain forces. It did not help engaging hostiles armed with various guns that put multiple combatants down like wounded horses, or a disobedient pet. Brex led his own unit full of Orcs through the hostile lines taking down as many invaders his stamina allowed. All they wanted was to drive the invaders out while played for time. In their berserk made or blood rage the Orcs tore into their lines bashing them into walls. He became witness to some skulls getting smashed in, invaders cut down, faces were torn off. Multiple limbs became cut, hacked off, or ripped off in the Orc rage. All he could do was stay in the back of their line of rage. Showing their blind rage these Orcs pressed to the other side. It almost divided the enemy force in half as other forces came in from behind.
While cutting through the city he came across some memorable foes. One Soldier with tentacled limbs choked a lost remnant of Creed's defenders who stayed put. Presuming it was some spawn with the inherited mutation Brex raised his own weapon on it. At his side Brex carried a star metal blowgun, basilisk Eye revolver, VUVR style light submachinegun, Orc Dagger, short Xiphos. Instinct took over as his hand went for the revolver. Three holes appeared in the enemy's torso that was already skewered with a longsword. Leaving the longsword stuck in the corpse he lowered his revolver. He could barely get a good look at this corpse when another figure emerged in the doorway. Both stood in the interior of the wing to a renovated castle keep. Light brownish skin this figure appeared to be an Orc in Grevaskii tan Khaki uniform. Only three pockets on the shirt, holster attached to belt. A bandolier of bullets draped from their left shoulder down to the hip. On his right shoulder the Dark Elf style pauldron clung to the uniform. In the Grevaskii uniform, donning the steel combat helmet called the skull pot it appeared scarred from conflict. Not even blinking or giving any thought to anything else Brex ended the Orc's life. Their corpse fell backwards on the stone steps. Through the doorway he got a view of the landscape of Nevora's Yien region.
Mostly covered forests, hedges, long grass, dire flowers, crane hydras, limited hills, Yien appeared a little more oriental with forests of bamboo stretching for miles. From the doorway to another castle keep connected to the walls linked with towers he found a horde digging in for another counterattack. It did strike his interest a little by looking at how the other small castle keeps were linked together to form this city. Thousands of these invaders hunkered down behind foliage, scattered cottages, huts, outposts, abandoned or overturned carriages. Fallen timber, large stumps, piles of rocks, boulders, crumbled houses, old walls of property blocked the view on both sides. Stagecoaches became cover alongside their own vehicles they drove in.
All along the enforced broken front scattered shootouts commenced between opposing forces. It went overlooked despite the enemy pouring out in retreat or militia fired from Creed City. One unit of a dozen Nevoran Federation Lustered Assault Crawlers, Supper Cannon Buggy Enforcers managed to reach this area despite the obstacles. One appeared more like a large go kart with millipede style armor. The other had a jeep style appearance blended with a truck armed to the teeth. Multiple tank killers, Gantronese Heavy cannons made most of them into paper fireworks during their approach. What did not help either side was the mist emerging from the southeast. So much for the short bursts, rapid fire, artillery, and traps is all he could think of watching the mist engulf everything.
Other members of their vanguard or forward troops made it to the edges of Creed City. Everyone involved in the advance stopped as the mist kept engulfing the area. Out this engulfing mist a lone vehicle slowly approached the linked city. On top of this vehicle in a perched position stood a female figure. Brunette hair, heart shaped face, smooth skin with a hint of oriental and typical Grevaskii background. Her red coat came with a fur collar over a white shirt that fit tight around her body. Black trousers hung from her hips. He could not get his gaze off her hourglass body. Behind him a distraught witch armed with an L34 rifle, with a rectangular body pressed against him. She was only getting a good look at the scene he could see. That type of hat over the ugly casual clothing for a uniform made her seem comical. Brex could only picture the fear in those wide eyes of hers. Mostly human yet part elf this witch attempted to fire around him. Her intentions were to aim at her. This Zaul-Zemat born contractor snatched the rifle forcing her fire in the air. Most of his mind went to a possible chain reaction of nothing but the end for Creed.
What he did not expect scared the whatever was left of their own vanguard. Various vehicles and aliens advanced from the mist. Three wheeled tank cars, Dune Buggy Gunner or DBG-547s, Metal Slug Tanks rolled towards the settlements. Several hundred alien reptile crab beast war horse looking creature was let loose on the battlefield. Whoever was left were few in number since their main force was left were fewer in number since their main force lost a huge chunk. Parts of the walls started to fall apart as they began firing upon Creed. Above him parts of the keep started to fall off from the blasts. One the beams fell from the ceiling hit him in the head knocking him out.
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