Chiecra awoke from a
thin stream of light shining in his eyes. He knew the sun had risen
for the rays of light reflected off the diamond ceiling. Getting up
he was the only one awake so far. In swift motions, Chiecra put his
uniform on as though someone were shooting at him. Once the boots
were on the cadet walked down to where he saw a fire burning in the
middle of the clearing. All over the causeway were crates of
ammunition and weapons along with cartridges from the previous
battle. To his left was the massive opening, which had three machine
guns sitting along its short wall unmanned. Inside he could see
multiple sleeping bags with fellow soldiers sleeping in them. When he
went to the clearing he saw hardly anything had changed. The Nazdar
vehicles were still sitting in their circular formation. The corpses
of the Nazdar shot in the battle remained undisturbed. Much of the
ground floor was stained red from the blood flow. In the middle of
this circle of vehicles sat seven Vestrisian soldiers around a large
cooking fire. One of them noticed him approaching. Sergeant Viktorov
sat upon a crate with multiple commanders. Sergeant Mckaw sat across
from the other Sergeant with the back of his head facing a clear gap
between two vehicles with the path in the background.
"Cadet good to
see you're awake. Get yourself some food." Viktorov said tossing
a plate at the cadet. After catching the metal plate the cadet
grabbed a fork from a can of eating utensils. The cook fixed Chiecra
ham and two large sausages.
"You'll need
it. Gives you more energy for today." the cook said handing him
his plate. Sitting down the cadet consumed the meat hungrily. The
sausages were taken from the enemy vehicles. The meats were meant for
energy and stamina to keep soldiers moving long distances for days at
a time. Aibeth also commented on the sausages nearly arguing with the
cook.
"They're not
just for energy, this meat's for making you shit."Aibeth said.
The cook scoffed
taking a swig of coffee. More soldiers came down from the upper
tunnels. Five others rushed from one tunnel to another each carrying
what looked like sniper rifles. They all heard yelling and bickering
as though a mother were present. A one sided squabble seemed to be
occurring inside the caverns. Vestrisian soldiers attempting to get
dressed were run out of the cavern through the large hole in the
wall. The rest laughed at them struggling to get their uniforms on as
the five long haired snipers hollered at them. Looking at the snipers
more clearly Chiecra noticed they were female.
The Vestrisian
Vanguards gathered around the commanders. Each one was eager for food
and their next orders. Chatter arouse among the vanguard. Many spoke
of home, others the war. Few talked about their families, wives,
sisters, brothers, children, relatives, and friends. Chiecra sat on a
metal footing of a half track. The cadet quietly ate his breakfast
listening to the many conversations all around. Azdar, Allen and two
others joined the Cadet setting themselves on the lower flat beams at
the bottom of the lifeless half-track. Not paying attention to the
four fellow cadets, Chiecra set his two senses upon a group of four
colleagues to their left near the center of the clearing. He listened
closely to the one speaking blocking out all other voices.
"My brother
Verfon, he was over in that unknown country. You know that large
patch of land nobody else except them Gantronese have claimed?"
He said gaining the others’ attention.
"Yeah I know
of that country." One of the soldiers said.
"You mean that
patch of land that's entirely jungle, swamps, and forest?"
Another asked the speaker.
"He sent me a
post card with a letter once saying there's whole lot of crazy stuff
happening there." The first one said to the others who were
listening.
"Like what?"
One of them asked.
"SCARY STUFF!
That's what! Recently they kept running into these enemy outposts
destroyed, bodies cut up and spread all over the place. Some of them
got decapitated, bodies cut or torn to pieces or something...."
The main speaker said to the other two soldiers.
Hardly anyone
noticed Mysdran Kyshar coming out of the main tunnel escorted and by
Vestrisian Vanguards and Zhenrai Knights. Major Hawke hollered for
them to fall in line.
"ATTENTION!"
The Major yelled.
Responding to this
order all Vestrisian Vanguards stood at attention showing respect to
the high-ranking warlord. Some dropped their plates and utensils on
the ground others engorged the remains of their food before setting
the plates aside. Chiecra and his colleagues set theirs on the
half-track. All ears were now open to hear the Mysdran's speech or
lecture.
"Good morning
men!" Mysdran Kyshar said in a serious voice.
"Good
morning, sir!" they all replied.
"I see you're
just finishing breakfast. Forgive my intrusion but I have a bit of
gratitude and rewards along with more orders." he cleared his
throat, then drank from his canteen. “Those of you whom dealt with
the vampire problems completed that mission with superb success. I
have never seen men more braver than those who managed to repel that
epidemic. I hope those courageous souls are standing among you. They
have proven themselves to the gods, the Zhenrai Order and the
Vestrisian Republic. I am sure they’ve made their ancestors proud.
You Vestrisian soldiers along with the vampire hunters are now the
Vanguards of the Vestrisian Army. I am most certain from what I see
here and back there that you forced your way through. Your actions
have halted a vital part of the Nazdar invasion. You Vanguards are
the bravest, valiant, vicious, and most intelligent soldiers to walk
upon this earth." He chuckled, as did the others.
"The dangers
you just faced in this underworld are just a small portion of many
others in this heathen hell of a place. The arachnids I was sure
would give you a challenge, but since the..." He paused allowing
the men to laugh while he just grinned.
"...Nazdar came
here first. That took away some of the challenge awaiting you. Yet
none of you let your guard down and slaughtered what was hopefully
the last of the pests. The various creatures like the gnolls and
troglodytes did give you some challenge and a surprise. There is no
doubt that plenty of you are aware those violent inhabitants of the
underworld are armed with modern weaponry.”
“These savages are
deadly by nature and for centuries have wrought mayhem, destruction,
and death to the Bymere Countryside. For recent decades, these
marauders have been attacking the Lenai. Now they are in league with
the Nazdar slavers, kidnapping both the young from nearby villages.
Countless caravans were attacked leaving a few dead and the rest
taken as captives to be sold into slavery. Vestrisians you must force
your way through that forest of fungus. Kill every hostile or
bloodthirsty creature. I have my own concerns about these troglodyte
and gnoll bands joining forces with the enemy. They used to fight one
another before the Nazdar came, no doubt they still do. However, with
their growing strength these bands of savages have become a horde to
be reckoned with." He took another drink from his canteen, 'Must
be losing his voice from all those speeches he's made.' thought
Chiecra.
"That horde on
the other side of the underworld must not reach here or reach the
other tunnel, leading up to the surface. I wish you luck, and know
you vanguards will get the job done." Mysdran Kyshar took his
leave in front of the Vestrisian Vanguard, disappearing into the
massive tunnel before them. After they were dismissed, the Vestrisian
Vanguard picked up their plates and utensils. They tossed the metal
items into a large pale next to the fire.
"That Mysdran
just carries on with speeches." Azdar said walking along side
Chiecra.
"He has to do
it anyways. It's his job otherwise the media would think he's a
joke." Chiecra exclaimed.
"You are right
Gwynor. Wonder what hell is waiting for us in that fungus."
Azdar said looking over Chiecra's head at the vast forest.
"Probably
something hideous and hungry." a soldier suggested shoving his
way past the two in a way they knew he was just messing around. A
cadet cut between them with a comprehensive look.
"He is kidding,
right?" The cadet looked at both of them with a scared look. He
then cracked a smiled making them both laugh.
"Oh, no he is
right. There could be something horrible!" Azdar said
sarcastically. The three Cadets laughed as they walked up the
causeway to retrieve their gear and packs for the long advance
through the fungal forest. Chiecra gazed into open space upon the
vast forest, which stretched for miles and miles with no end in
sight.
"Still who
knows what's out there, lurking underneath that fungi." he said.
Azdar glanced at the
cadet behind them. "Hey Chiecra this is Javan Huro. I bunked
with him in the Velisce region. Javan Huro this is Chiecra Gwynor. He
is the friend I told you and the barracks about." Javan
stretched his arm over their shoulders.
"Hi it is nice
to finally meet you. Azdar's told some crazy stories about you
Yackdreth rider." Chiecra shook his hand in a manly greeting,
glad to know many have heard of him and his crazy stunts he did back
home in the Balkmel Mountains. As they walked past the gaping hole
Javan took off his cap unveiling long shaggy dark hair.
"Say Chiecra
how did those Lenai girls look, eh?" Javan asked him and he
laughed at Chiecra who turned red in embarrassment. Chiecra thought
of the gorgeous Lenai girls he saved from the weird little man. He
then turned serious again recalling what happened.
"Don't laugh or
joke about that too much Javan. Zeuxis knows what those bastards did
to the poor souls." Chiecra said to Javan patting his head.
Azdar nodded in agreement. A female sniper barked at Javan.
"HEY, LONG
SHANKS, BETTER PUT YOUR HELMET ON BEFORE YOU GET SHOT!" She
yelled at the cadet. Taking the advice Javan nervously placed his
helmet back on. Chiecra and Azdar both laughed at him.
Repacking gear and
supplies the Vestrisian Vanguards readied themselves to embark on a
journey through hell. Chiecra packed every item back into his pack
with room to spare for a few more items. Like the rest Chiecra
stocked up on ammo and grenades. Every pack had pouches used for
storing ammo magazines. To Chiecra the pack did not feel heavy,
though its weight was noticeable. Chiecra Gwynor was more than ready
for a long fight. He had his E-7 in his hands, a pack full of
equipment, and ammunition in every pocket. Chiecra latched his
shotgun to his pack. He had his pistols, and bayonet in his belt.
Just as they slung their packs on the Vestrisian Vanguards marched
down to the clearing to await the executive orders to begin the next
phase of the operation. Cadets, Sergeants, Corporals, Privates, and
Lieutenants scrambled about getting into formation before Major
Hawke, Captain Gwynor and Athenere.
"Vanguards,
before you go off we have a simple reward for you. It may not seem
suitable but it will suffice for you to hear from loved ones."
Major Hawke said to them.
Four carts full of
packages and letters rolled out of the main tunnel. One at a time the
soldiers received a package from one of the carts. Letters and
packages were opened followed by series of conversations. Chiecra
leaned against a vehicle alone believing there was nothing for him.
He watched in envy while the others joyously tore open gifts and
letters family and loved ones sent them. Chiecra kept to himself
refusing to socialize with the other colleagues. As he stared at the
floor and pressed his pack against the vehicle Chiecra did not see a
figure approach him. For a minute he only saw the ground then a
shadow walked up to him. Looking up Chiecra saw his brother Kouthra
standing before him holding what looked like a package with letters
attached by a rubber band. The paper package was labeled Chiecra
Gwynor.
"Here, it's
something from Illa." Kouthra handed the package to Chiecra.
Relief sprang up inside him. His sister-in-law had sent him a package
along with a letter. Using the knife Chiecra cut the package open. He
pulled out a woolen sweater causing a knife, a journal and two
chocolate bars to spill out of the package. Opening the letter
Chiecra read the written words from his sister-in-law.
Dear Chiecra,
I know it must
be hard for you to just have Kouthra, the kids and I as family. Ever
since you joined the Vestrisian Army as a recruit I have been worried
sick. Well, I guess you can say that's how we women are. Worrying
about our boys, especially when they're sent off to war. The kids
miss you, as do I and I hope these gifts will be fit for you:
wherever you are headed to. We think about you always. Little Lavinna
misses you the most and those piggyback rides.
PS:
Find yourself a
nice girl sometime soon. Make sure she's compassionate and courteous.
Don't give up hope there's always someone for everyone.
Reading this letter
strengthened Chiecra's morale. He was pleased to receive a package
and letter from relatives. He spent over two years with them in the
city of Udraine. He rolled the sweater up like a sleeping bag and
tucked it a narrow spot in his pack. As he rummaged through the top
pouch of the pack making room for the bars Chiecra noticed a fifth
item spilled out of the package. It was triangular shaped, made of
emerald rimmed with ebony. A face was etched onto the emerald.
Looking at it closely Chiecra recognized the icon of the face etched
onto the emerald. The face of Ipsul, Goddess of Fate and Salvation
was etched onto it. The Gwynor family had been known for worshiping
the Compassionate Goddess.
"Thanks
brother I mean Captain!" Chiecra said embracing his brother.
"You're
welcome, besides you're like a son to her." Kouthra replied
embracing his younger brother in return. They separated in order to
prepare for another advance through the underworld. After letters and
gifts were stashed away in packs and empty pockets, the Vestrisian
Vanguards were now ready to advance through what would be considered
hell.
"Back in
formation soldiers we've got a job to do. Do you know what that job
is? Don't you!" Master-Sergeant Mckaw roared rousing the
Vanguards back into formation from the recent interruption. Chiecra
rushed past multiple colleagues jumping in line beside Allen and
Azdar. Forty Vestrisian Vanguards stood firm, ready to go forth into
hell. The commanding officers stood facing the large group of
Privates, Corporals, Sergeants, and cadets. Four were Superior
Commanders only three with military ranks and one with a political
rank over the operation. Major Hawke, Captain Kouthra Gwynor, Captain
Kudecht and Senator Athenere Greymir stood before the Vanguards and
the soldiers around them. Major Hawke spoke loudly for all to hear.
"When I call
your name and rank please keep our helmets on. Those whose names
Senator Greymir does not call remove your helmets. That will be all."
The Major stepped aside allowing Athenere the senator, to come forth
before the vanguard. She held a list of their names. She began the
list,
"Corporal Vinco
Barzinia, Lieutenant Ilkez Brutius, Corporal Aibeth Crowley, Cadet
Allen Firulk, Private Cole Garel, Private Terc Gelteze, Cadet Chiecra
Gwynor, Sergeant Viktorov Gwynor, Cadet Javan Huro, Private Enfar
Mascerd, Cadet Azdar Shiern, Private Rignar Silver-Oak, Corporal Eme
Vaed. Those of you who have not been called out will remain here and
begun cleaning this area up and setting up a defensive base here."
The ones whose names were not called removed their helmets and set
their packs down.
"As for the
vanguards chosen to go, you will be accompanied by Captain Kudecht.
He will led you through the path just ahead." There was no need
for any more explanation, the chosen vanguards left their spots in
the ranks. The twelve gathered in the back of the clearing closer to
the pathway through the fungal forest. Chiecra watched the rest break
rank, scattering left and right. Every five soldiers did a different
task. Some began picking up corpses of the dead Nazdar, carrying the
bodies to the pit on their left. The bodies were picked clean of
badges, weapons, and ammo. This group dumped the bodies into the pit.
Other soldiers started messing with the half-tracks. Rummaging
through the vehicles taking out anything they found including bodies,
weapons and more ammo. Captain Kudecht emerged from the crowd of busy
soldiers, and marched up to meet them.
"Morning
men, I know some of you, so the rest of you we'll figure it out
later. We have no time to sit on our asses. Let's move out!"
Captain Kudecht marched past them as they began to follow him.
Individually the twelve chosen vanguards marched forward, advancing
between two parked vehicles with the gap leading them to the open
path to hell. None of them looked back over their shoulders, knowing
the enemy could strike from anywhere at any time. Chiecra and his
colleagues held their weapons with a finger on the trigger.
The
path through the fungal forest was wide and deep. Both sides were
surrounded by a forest of giant mushrooms. Looking from side to side
Chiecra and a few others glared into the darkness of the deep forests
on both sides. Walking alongside Viktorov, Vaed, and Azdar with Allen
and three others behind him cadet Chiecra gwynor did not know what to
make of the marvels these giant mushrooms had.
"These
are some humongous fungi." Corporal Silver Oak commented, gazing
up at the towering fungi as though he were a child. Vaed criticized
him over what he said about the fungi.
"If you wanted
the enemy to hear us I am sure you'd have brought your fiddle along."
The vanguard smirked not letting a single laugh give them away. To
Chiecra it seemed that marching in the open path would've given the
enemy clear warning that they were coming.
"Cut
the chatter back there, I don't want to hear a single peep out of
anyone!" Ilkez growled through gritted teeth. Doing as the
Zhenrai said the vanguards fell silent continuing through the path.
Chiecra looked in every direction he could except behind him. He knew
there could be nothing trying to sneak up behind them while their
comrades watched their backs. 'It's strange, that the enemy doesn't
try moving through the forest of mushrooms.' Chiecra thought to
himself.
'Perhaps they have
good reason not to.' Ilkez replied inside the cadet's mind. 'There's
something lurking underneath the shadows of the mushroom forests?'
Chiecra asked the zhenrai using his thoughts 'You bet.' the zenhrai
answered before staying mute. Slowly and cautiously the thirteen
Vanguards advanced through the path passing mushroom after mushroom.
Every fungi looked the same on both sides of the path. It took them
some time to reach the first turn of the path. The path steered the
vanguards to the right a good ways before they came across several
large clearings in the path. Two were in front of them and one to
their left near another turn, which veered left. Coming a halt the
thirteen vanguards stayed clear of the edges of the path, not knowing
what might attack them. Sergeant Viktorov Gwynor and Corporal Aibeth
Crowley stood ahead of the group checking for any signs of enemy
presence.
"Is
the coast clear, Sergeant Gywnor, and Corporal Crowley?" Captain
Kudecht whispered loud enough for the two to hear. Aibeth responded
with a wave of his left arm pointing left. Then waved his arm
horizontally, signaling an unsure yes. Ilkez stood next to the
Captain followed closely by several vanguards. The zhenrai gestured
for Chiecra and those around him to come to them. Using his wits,
Chiecra dropped to his belly and crawled his way to the mass of
vanguards. The others repeated the same move to evade unexpected
gunfire.
The
eleven vanguards formed a circle each with their weapons facing a
different direction covering a full 360 degrees. Some stood while
others crouched to the ground aiming their rifles in separate
directions. All was quiet as usual since the beginning of their
advance. Chiecra stood next to Vaed whom wielded an S53 AR.
"You
think the enemy's not here?" the cadet asked.
"Either
that or something eliminated them all. Just look at the mushrooms
more closely." The cadet squinted his eyes focusing on a few
awkward looking mushrooms. He noticed on the stalks there was blood
smeared all over as if some poor soul was cut apart or faced a
gruesome fate. Keeping this to himself Chiecra realized the rest
would notice eventually. Chiecra faced the direction they came from.
Nothing appeared out of the fungal forest nor did he see any movement
within the shadows of the fungi. His eyes went back and forth in his
eye sockets scanning the area for any hostiles. He heard Captain
Kudecht's voice address to them.
"It
looks clear, move to the left." The ten vanguards stayed in
their circular formation, moving to the left as one. They slowly
maneuvered in a single movement together into the clearing to the
left. Once they were safe within the boundaries of the closest
clearing, the vanguards broke formation. Observing their surroundings
Chiecra and several others noticed how big this clearing really was.
Heads turned about, eyes switching from eye corner to eye corner. The
vanguards found themselves in what appeared to be either a death trap
or some sort of defensive area. Encircling the inside of the rim was
a large patch of thorn bushes trailing all around the clearing. The
thorn bushes reached as high as the caps of the mushrooms. Chiecra
set his gaze to what lay in the center of the clearing. Three deep
ditches were dug in the center of the thorn-enshrouded clearing, nine
feet apart from the other. The three ditches looked to be ten feet in
width all around.
"Watch
yourselves boys. Keep your eyes open and your mind sharp." Vaed
advised looking around with his eyes fixed on their surroundings.
They all looked around, still observing their surroundings. Chiecra,
Allen, Azdar and Javan walked up to one of the ditches slowly making
their way with their weapons pointed at the ditch.
"What
do you suppose is in those ditches?" Javan asked setting his E-7
rifle against his right shoulder aiming down the sites. The four
Vanguards drew closer to the ditch with caution. Chiecra smelled some
foul odor entering his nose. He covered his nose for a brief second.
"Do
you guys smell that?" He asked them. The others agreed to the
odor's presence.
"Yeah!"
Some of them cried unable to stand the odor.
"I
definitely smell something." One of them said holding his nose.
"By
Zeuxis, it smells like..." Azdar paused for a moment realizing
what this odor was.
"Smells
like, dead bodies." Chiecra and Allen both peered over the ledge
of the ditch discovering piles of corpses laying there rotting in the
dugout ditch.
The
rest of the vanguards also took a look into the other two ditches
along with the first one that had already been looked at. Viktorov
and Aibeth arrived at this little scene to see what they all noticed
in the ditches, the deformed rotting corpses. Chiecra could tell that
these poor souls had been brutally tortured then gruesomely killed.
The clothing on the corpses were torn and dyed in dry blood.
Chiecra's three colleagues left him to check out the other ditches.
Vaed and Ilkez arrived on both sides of Chiecra.
The
cadet paid them no heed as he observed the corpses more closely.
Cheicra got down on one knee just to get a better look at the bodies.
The Lieutenant and Corporal did the same as he did. On the torn
bloody corpses Chiecra could see puncture marks from spears and
bullet holes in the clothing. Observing the bodies even more he spied
what looked like a Vestrisian helmet among the bodies. 'These are
Vestrisian soldiers!' thought Chiecra awestruck to see comrades in
arms slaughtered in such a horrid way.
"Look
at this one!" a Private cried out. He stood at the edge of the
third ditch, furthest away from the clearing entrance. They all
rushed to the one Private Garel stood next to.
"What
in the name of Gaivos?" Terc said aghast at the sight. Vinco
went down to his knees praying up to the ceiling.
"Goddess
Ipsul, I beg of you to show mercy upon these slain souls. Guide them
and protect their spirits. Free them from whatever perils which they
now face!" Vinco raised his arms in the air praying for some
miracle to occur. He held in his hands the crest of Ipsul. Terc
rolled his eyes forcing the praying man back onto his feet.
“This
is not the time to grieve!" Two others came to get Vinco back
onto his feet and regain his senses. Chiecra's eyes widened at what
he saw in this third ditch. Inside this third bloodied ditch he and
others saw bodies of not just soldiers but deformed and decapitated
corpses of children. There were a few skeletons here and there among
the bloodied corpses. In the middle of this heap of corpses and
skeletons was a hole the size of a room.
"It
looks like something's been here already." Ilkez said standing
up straight with a full pack on his back.
"Sir,
the second one is no different than the first." Corporal
Silver-Oak stated pointing his weapon at the second ditch. The others
went to check out the second ditch. Only Chiecra stayed at the third
ditch as something unusual about this particular ditch drew his
attention. Though his eyes were focused on this one ditch, he could
still hear his colleagues talk among themselves about the second
ditch.
"I
believe we're dealing with an enemy that's ruthless beyond measure."
Captain Kudecht declared to the group of Vanguards.
"Our
own soldiers were butchered without mercy." Viktorov said
gritting his teeth.
"This
war will be nothing but spilled blood, and countless bodies."
Ilkez said. Chiecra heard all of this but did not turn to look in
their direction. He was looking at a particular corpse that didn't
seem like the rest. It was clean of bullet holes and punctures from
spears. This corpse still stirred. Its sides heaved up and down like
it was breathing. With the feeling that this could be a trap set up
as an ambush Chiecra aimed his E-7 rifle at the breathing creature.
Then it stopped breathing for a moment. Without warning an enormous
figure emerged from the pile of corpses shouting a loud roar that
took the vanguards by surprise.
"Shoot
it Chiecra! Shoot it!" His colleagues hollered at Chiecra who
stood there aiming his weapon strait at this huge wolf like creature.
It was a full-grown Gnoll. Chiecra fired three rounds into the
beast's chest. The large Gnoll fell on top of the corpses with no
sign of springing back to life. The vanguards were only spared a few
seconds. All around them ferocious Gnolls emerged from the ground,
the thorn bushes and even the two other ditches. Bullets flew all
around wherever the beasts emerged, creating numerous body counts. In
a matter of half a minute the thirteen vanguards shot multiple
hostiles. The body count was double their numbers.
"I
expected something like this would happen." said Ilkez checking
his ammo.
Vaed
agreed with the Zhenrai, "Yeah, especially in this war. Anything
could happen when you least expect it."
"Let's
get back to our mission here gentleman." Captain Kudecht
ordered.
"Sir,
are we going to check those other clearings as well?" Private
Mascerd asked.
"Yes,
private we are." Captain Kudecht marched ahead leading the
vanguards to see about the other two clearings. They all looked at
both paths back and forth. It was unclear which one they should take
first.
"Which one should we go in next?" Aibeth asked eager to
finish the job.
"I
have no clue which one to check out next." admitted the captain.
“We'll choose one.”
"Can't
we just split our forces. One group goes into one while the rest go
in the other?" Javan suggested curious if such a strategy could
hurry things a bit.
"Cadet we are
only thirteen men strong. Even a single ambush could easily wipe out
a group of fifteen soldiers!" Captain Kudecht humiliated the
cadet.
"So,
we'll just stay as one group?" Private Garel asked looking at
the Captain in the eye.
The
captain just nodded then proceeded to the one on the right. This time
they were expecting hostiles to jump out and ambush them. Storming
into their next target the vanguards spread out making it impossible
for the enemy to surround them. This next clearing resembled the same
one they were just in moments ago. It was much smaller and had one
ditch in the center. Staying clear of the center, the vanguards
remained close to the entrance. Using their eyes the vanguards
scanned the area for anything that appeared unusual or suspicious.
Chiecra looked around acting as though the ditch was not even there.
His eyes rested mainly on the thorn bushes.
Getting
a slight itch that the enemy could be hiding in the thorn bushes the
vanguards grabbed some grenades from their pockets. Captain Kudecht
signaled for them to throw their grenades. Twelve grenades were
thrown into the thorn bushes, and the blasts tore the bushes apart.
Thorns and branches flew everywhere joined by screams of pain and
death. Yells and cries came out from the thorns as the grenades
exploded. Blood smeared onto the stalks and ground. The wails of men
and beasts were heard all around. A few figures were exposed in the
torn up bushes, many still alive and in pain. Some lay dead with
bodies ripped apart, and bloody gashes. Those who were wounded
revealed themselves to the Vanguards. Each one was killed with two or
three shots. Aware of hostile presence the thirteen Vanguards kept
their fingers on the trigger. More hostiles sprung up from other
thorn bushes firing wildly at the vanguards. Troglodytes, Gnolls and
Nazdars alike emerged from their hiding places to ambush the thirteen
warriors. Bullets flew all around as the enemies exchanged fire. The
skirmish lasted somewhat longer than the previous shoot out. The
enemy failed in their attempts to kill the thirteen warriors. Like
flies the guerrillas died at the hands of the Vestrisian Vanguards.
Their corpses laid on top of the thorn bushes, bleeding all over
them.
"The enemy sure know how to set up ambushes." Private Garel
said smartly.
"Yeah,
but not very clever ones." Ilkez commented.
"Wonder
what's in this ditch?" Chiecra asked guessing what the answer
already.
"More
bodies I bet." Javan said.
"I
don't know. Nothing emerged from there during the shootout, so it's
safe to say there's nothing in there." replied Vaed squatting
down to take off his pack. A large Troglodyte holding a female
hostage emerged from the ditch laughing. He held the poor woman at
gunpoint with the gun against her head. The monster held her with one
arm squeezing her against him pushing upward on her chest with his
forearm. She shivered from being held hostage. Everyone faintly heard
her whimpering. The Vestrisian vanguards fixed their weapons on the
reptilian like creature. The lizard spoke, mocking them.
"You foolish
dung heads! Look at you fighting for these wimpy creatures. These dogs
you call sacred beings of society!" The creature laughed groping
his hostage.
"What
the hell?" Allen said somewhat confused. Captain Kudecht talked
to the Troglodyte.
"Our
mission is to keep all people safe from enslavement and injustice,
even all peoples of this world." He said to the Troglodyte. The
monster only laughed at him.
"You
must be joking, these..." he licked the frightened woman across
her breast and up her neck. "...little whores have no place, but
to be treated like dogs."
"Maybe
in your world, but now that world will soon fall." Chiecra
responded slightly squeezing the trigger.
"You idiots
don't understand. These Zunia-Pucks make good profit in the slave
business, especially when you have customers who pay good money for a
good time!" He humped the hostage twice making her moan and
whimper. Chiecra was not going to let this continue any longer the
cadet aimed his E-7 at the creature’s head and fired. Dropping the
Zunia-Puck the Troglodyte fell to the ground. He was now a just dead
corpse. The Zunia-Puck was now free. She picked herself up and rushed
to the nearest vanguard throwing herself at him. Crying she held
Corporal Sliver-Oak tightly not letting him go. She was crying so
much it was hard for her to say anything from all the choking sobs.
Chiecra took a good look at this Zunia-Puck. She had a gorgeous body,
with fine smooth legs, round cheeks, her arms were normal looking
with a bit of meat on her bones. She had long dark auburn hair down
to her lower back. She wore a pink blouse that stretched to her legs.
Short genes covered the rest of her body. Staring up and down her
legs Chiecra as well as some colleagues noticed her feet were hooves
in place of feet and toes.
"Never
knew Pucks were that tall?" Azdar admitted whispering into
Chiecra's ear. Chiecra looked at him with some disgust.
"I'm
just saying." he said innocently. Corporal Silver-Oak calmed the
Zunia-Puck, rubbing her back to comfort her. He somewhat snuggled
with her in his big arms.
"There's
no need for tears anymore. You're safe now. Your innocence has been
avenged." She stopped her crying, sniffing and snuffling to
prevent more tears from coming. She looked up at the tall elf and
smiled.
"Oh,
thank you." The Zunia-Puck pressed herself against the
Corporal's body.
Turning
their attention away from the cute scene the vanguards went to see
about the ditch in the center. Chiecra, Allen, Azdar, Javan and
Aibeth stepped over to the edge of the ditch observing what lay
inside. Within the ditch they discovered seven more Zunia-Pucks all
tied up together with thick ropes in a very tight noose. Their hazel
eyes looked up at the five vanguards. Each one looked relieved to see
noble men had come to save them. Chiecra and his four colleagues slid
down in the ditch to set them free. It was quick work with their
blades. As Chiecra unbound one, who looked to be his age he could not
help but stare into her hazel eyes. Those eyes of hers were
spellbinding. Setting her free Chiecra lifted her up and noticed her
leg was bleeding from a stab wound. The stola she wore kept her
bodily features hidden from view. The five vanguards helped the seven
damsels out of the ditch. Chiecra climbed out with his strong legs
only to meet twenty or so Nazdar troopers standing before them. The
rest of their comrades were forced onto their knees, hands behind
their heads.
"Ah
crap." Chiecra muttered to himself.
Four
Nazdars fixed their sub-machine-guns on the dozen new captives. A
large slaver forced the Zunia-Puck from Chiecra's arms. She fought
savagely to remain in his arms. A struggle broke out as the slaver
tried to wrench her away from her rescuer. She clung onto Chiecra for
dear life. A Nazdar approached the struggling trio raising his rifle getting
ready to strike the squirming Puck.