In August a woman who was either nine months or ten months pregnant had to get a baby out earlier than planned. Originally it was planned to be delivered some time in November. Something else was happening with the unborn baby at the time. Doctors checked what it was but could not really label it. Well, it was mostly put down as a buildup of bacteria that could kill both mother and child. Moving as cautiously and quickly the surgeons and doctors performed a C-Section to get the baby out. When the procedure was done, they discovered something else. This newborn out of a c-section was born with what appeared to be a monkey's tail. Knowing how having a tail would affect the infant's life the surgeons had the tail removed and sealed in a bag for concealment. Was this some heritage the family did not know about that suddenly emerged after thousands of years. Something was not right, but the doctors did what they could to keep the infant alive. For a child to be born with a tail meant something else was in its DNA. No one could place a finger on it. It was on the 11th of August 1989 the baby was born. It was not determined whether the child could live past a few months. While standing on the roof of the hospital built for these complex people he could not wonder if this child would be able to fight alongside his real people.
Half of the Vullanese Islands just fell to the VUVR who appeared to be taking their sweet time. When Izvar, and Mothgar fell he knew it was pretty much over. Even though other countries joined the fight alongside the Vullanese Islands it was still a losing situation. Only Vimasdra appeared to push the Vestrisians back a few times. In 1842 the Vestrisians sunk most of Vullan's, and Gontrella's fleets just to pave the way for other points of their invasion plans. Thinking of all the islands they lost to the Vestrisians already gave him a headache. Outside his own villa like mansion, he watched from the interior perimeter of Thestlestand as some fifty Ogre-Dwarves run into a necromancer and their six cloaked undead. Infighting would only make the Vestrisian's invasion seem more like a cake walk. The amount of fighting it took to seize Mothgar, Izvar and other islands took a good chunk of needed forces. In his mind he doubted the Nazdar or Gantronese would even care to send forces to help them unless they became part of their empires. While seated in his chair he watched the argument between necromancer and leading Ogre turn into raised fists and threats. Clearly over the dire geese, and dire cows of Lasnile the confrontation needed to end quickly. Yet he was just a Tetarq mercenary sent over by the Nazdar. A reptilian shrew like humanoid, Contractor Brigadier Treqni Qul, arrived to Lasnile island along with a unit of mercenaries, and contractors. A unit of 394 mercenaries were sent along with 660 Nazdar soldiers, and 800 Grevaskii. They brought 19 heavy tanks, 251 combat vehicles, 8 large troop transports. Under the command of Seer-Colonel Lasdan, Chief Reaper Icash, the Nazdar and Grevaskii also brought over 93 cat folk fighters the Nazdar sent, one handsome pirate named Shelton. Shelton arrived with a crew of 114 pirates, a few triple cannons, extra sail mast for speed, his own banners, arsenal full of katana, rifles, ammunition, 12 wild monsters. They released Shelton's monsters after Vestrisians on an island close to Lasnile. These Vullanese had their own monsters, 392 monsters and spawn attacked advancing VUVR forces on that island.
Lasnile was one of the last islands Vullan still held. To hold it their allies did send extra forces to bolster Lasnile's gathered forces. From twenty-eight different states a force of 3,655 Knights/Squires arrived. Gantronese Imperial Seers sent over 251 Oni-Slave warriors along with 700 Gantronese thrall or retainer samurai. In terms of privateers, or raiders, 280 Riphook raiders of Monteiro Isle near Vidothra, 840 pirates were hired to help a force of 360,000 Vullanese-Lasnile defenders. That included the humans, half-breeds, Ogres, Orcs, Goblins, non-humans, Gnolls, and heftier species able to fight. Everyone else were ordered to evacuate the islands of Lasnile. It was a large force to hold Lasnile, but it was doubted to hold up against the Vestrisians for very long. Islands between Lasnile, Mothgar, and Izvar either fell or capitulated. It would have made Lasnile's defensive forces number 400,000. Such losses could not be tolerated.
Someone had to be on trial over the loses. In the middle of a courtroom in a more trapezoid shape he is watching a single female mage among a dozen others force themselves to step up. Nine high officials of the Vullanese courts sat behind a tall wide podium. Behind them sat the Maester of this island whose name he completely forgot. A female mage rested on her knees in shackles wearing a humiliating garment of some ugly color he cannot describe. According to a Knight who stood next to him it would usually be a tattered brown bag dress. This female mage had shortened brown hair with one white streak running along the left side of her head. She did not appear curvy, but plain except the lower parts showing how much she spent exercising. At first glance one would mistake her for a teenaged male. In moments their hearing-interrogation began with the main judge speaking. Her name was Vendell of Izvar.
"None of us wanted to fight the Vestrisians. Mages, sorcerers, wizards, arcane users, were forced into combat roles. What we did was stall them for months on Mothgar. Paralyzing spells, sickness spells, illusion, conjuring were all used against them. We never wanted to kill!" Vendell of Izvar gave her account on Mothgar to Maesters.
"How is it that you and other mages and arcane users are still alive?" the Maester demanded. His pear-shaped face had a thick chin that made him resemble a toad with long white hair.
"We fled from the scene using teleportation after each engagement. Yes, it became cat a mouse chases." She answered.
"So, you left every settlement on Mothgar and Izvar to fall into enemy hands." the Maestar proclaimed in an accusing voice. Yet his voice held a more authoritative tone with a slight gargle.
"If you mean to accuse us of abandoning our posts, go ahead. This war is lost. Vestrisian Forces have already taken half of Vullanese forces. We can only fail intentionally and let the Vestrisians win." Vendell rebuked.
"For failing to kill or hold the settlement You as a member shall be either beaten, tortured, skinned, burned, malnourished, mutilated, or violated." The Courts were not done with her. This was a hearing, so they had access to witnesses or proceeded to bring in loyal commanding officers or those of higher status. Getting bored of this he slipped out of the building. Whatever that was in terms of a trial or hearing it did not involve him. After all these were not his people, not his species. Yet it was his job to be here to defend or oversee the situation in Lasnile. What he was not going to tell these Vullanese was that his Nazdar employers planned to annex whatever the Vestrisians did not take over. Surely the Vestrisians just wanted a certain part of these islands, didn't they? Lasnile's defenses consisted of plenty of personnel, a mixture of anti-aircraft, several hundred tanks, various vehicles, a mishmash of aircraft, a shrinking navy, military constructs, and artillery. Treqni found himself heading to a tavern where he shared a drink with a single Woadi who mentioned a bar on an island within a lagoon. This Woadi went into battle lightly armored and lightly equipped. While at the tavern within their own booth they discussed the defenses for Lasnile.
For militia Lasnile rallied 56,700 locals to be armed. That also included 330 Dungeoneers both veteran and active under the command of a Champion known as Giacibino the Bishop. Palace Sentinels all over Lasnile numbered about 2,388. Only 156 Gate Wardens were available for defense. As for mages or arcane users 278 lancer sorcerers, 297 Mages are pressed into service. In terms of infantry or military personnel he made attempts to praise 26,580 Vullanese Soldiers, 50,000 reservists, 1,363 Vidothran-Nymres troopers, 1,638 available veterans, 32,783 armed Cultists, 1,800 pilots, 41,800 artillery/anti-air crews, 10, 100 sailors, but it seemed doomed. Checking some other records, he kept in a log he noted more. A total of 574 Line Foot soldiers of fort Cristinne at the eastern edge. One brigade of six thousand Cathar Soldiers, another brigade of 6,000 Sergeant at Arms awaiting orders. From the fronts 284 scouts returned to mention the VUVR began other invasions across Vullan. In terms of movement a whole company of 331 useful Rogues already left after they were rounded up to remove relics. Plenty were pressed into service. More than 740 thieves pressed into service, 350 Market Guard constructs commandeered, 671 members of a Doomed Dissenters, and Travellers were forced in. Over 300 Monks were drugged into joining while 186 were forced to convert. More than 320 artificers were pressed to create more military constructs. He pointed out the 330 or so tanks that looked like turtles would provide 1,650 available bodies. For a cavalry just 4,000 Cabal Paladin Knights. To create more cavalry, they rounded up 450 Camels and as many horses. The rest of the defenders for Lasnile were made up of city-guards, sheriffs, constables, and enforcers. Among these enforcers 329 Syndicates were given authority to run the capitol's streets.
Realizing most of the island had to evacuate he noticed Lasnile had to send away plenty of useful skilled hands. Some three hundred two Weavers and their staff leave along with the workers, 393 Gremlin Goblins are moved around between the remaining islands. Vullan's Spikewheel Acrobats could only send 377. Many of these would be soldiers found themselves caught off by the Vestrisians in the field. He realized he would be forced to fight since he was a mercenary the Nazdar sent over. Accepting this fate he found himself going to the ports in the northern parts of the island. When he saw at least over 230 eels be caught for dinner his ears picked up the Vestrisians began their invasion. Starting to feel a sense of dread he looked up at the skies waiting for the air bombardment to start. Noticing it was not going to happen the Tet'arq raced to the frontlines in a cloak with a unit of 228 rallied Vullanese. Some high and mighty bloke called Koth Belledin the Hammer led this charge to meet the Vestrisians at a settlement called Oldreef. There two units of Vestrisians made their landing. One unit of 460 Vestrisian Horizon Seekers who climbed the cliffs. A second unit of 408 VUVR Mage Hunters. Koth had some tricks under his sleeve. Treqni witness some 200 Vullanese weapons receive a weapons surge. Unsure if this was going to prevail, he attempted to stop Koth who needed to wait for reinforcements.
All gung-ho to push the first Vestrisians off Lasnile's soil Koth proceeded with this assault. The human kicked the alien mercenary away. All he could do was just watch the two hundred Vullanese become cannon fodder to machineguns. Upon hearing this news 1,032 Vullanese believe it was time to give up and sauntered over to the Vestrisians. As prisoners or turncoats no one could say. Yet it upset the Vullanese commanders who released 402 captured Lizard Threshers and set loose 447 raptor like creatures. It could not have been executed at a time when more Vestrisians were arriving near Predator's Bay in southeastern Lasnile. Several days later they see it only delayed the Vestrisians encouraging the Vullanese to send 335 of their Bomber Corps fanatics who only get mowed down unless they attacked at night. Behind them Dark Blade Agents saw 400 of their own sent to the front. As the Vestrisians landed more troops they learned the Dark Blade Agents chose to side with the Vestrisians. A few more days later the Vestrisians then choose to bomb their positions with a thousand aircraft in each wave that was met by Lasnile's pilots. Most of the pilots became prisoners, badly wounded, or went missing. Very few wound up dead or returned intact. Each of Vullan's special units, companies, or battalions attempted to push the Vestrisians out. Not many came back alive as each week saw another settlement fall to the Vestrisians. Nazdar forces did make bombing runs on Vestrisian positions, but those only slowed their advances.
While on patrol with fellow Tet'arqs Treqni discovered a network of caves and tunnels leading to the underground. Inside those caverns beneath Lasnile's largest city a meeting of rebels was unveiled to disgruntled Vullanese defenders. While hiding he learned of when their next meeting was while their own artillery pounded Vestrisian positions well into the night. A good waste of ammunition unless they hit a target. Returning to his own quarters he warned the new Maester of a rebellion in the works by 266 rebels who were exiled. He kept this information to himself for a week until he was able to gather enough information. Lasnile's Maester ordered for 250 Death Cultists to cleanse the island of these traitors. Another 250 were sent to the front along with the thousands already starting to make some progress against the Vestrisians. Leading a few counter attacks and raids the Tetarq mercenary managed to liberate parts of the north. Thanks to the mages and constructs working with mercenaries Vullan saw most Vestrisians cleared off the island. Yet it only pushed the Vestrisians to use bombing runs and something else. A small band of warriors armed with swords entered the field. According the terrified Vullanese those warriors were called Zhenrai Knights. Descendants of an ancient warrior race these Zhenrai could summon certain warrior spirits or powers to make them powerful on the battlefield. Treqni witnessed one of these summon spirits out of thin air. Some would assume these were necromancers, except the spirits entered their body. Unsure if the Zhenrai could be taken down with a rifle or machinegun he had his own refrain just to observe. What happened next was horror. One lone Zhenrai made a bloody mess of a company of Vullanese defenders who screamed as their fates met a bloody end. He could only describe it as a blood fest. No one among the Vullanese entrenched unit survived. Treqni checked the very next morning to find decapitated bodies, entrails everywhere, and the barracks ruined. He could only ask himself. What could they do?
Galaia fell in a rather nice bloodbath yet according to Echo Tribune holograms victory came at a cost. Ghudran, Galaia, and Giadra put up resistance against Imperial Gantronese forces. Dark Elves, Uxane, Gelru peoples, a few other races fought against their invading forces. Several submissive kingdoms, 48 other tribes from conquered territories aided their Gantronese forces. This was around the same time Gantronese forces engaged stubborn forces in Zekmar. Mulzan bent down to their will, offering its entire kingdom to the Gantronese Empire. Other kingdoms or city-states either fell quickly or became absorbed through submissive annexation. Along the borders of Mulzan, and the annexed parts of Zekmar a force was gathering.
His very own army was assembling before his very eyes. Ten years ago, he would be the one gathering for another warlord or leader. A pair of independent contracting combat ready figures stood at his side. A single warlock of the "multiverse" known as Havbir Crucvecc. One contractor assassin who called herself Dualwield7. Her real name was Jadaem Masmafta of Rhes Tarim. Both were allowed under his command along with others as a start of his commanding army. Thirteen gunslingers from different nations under the leadership of Mesward, a half-goblin, joined his army. Sceo was more of a rank for any submissive races who sided with the Gantronese. Seventeen renegade Uxane slave owners signed or swore into his army dragging along twenty-three Awokanaks (slaves). Leading this group was Alose Folwark, a half Orc, half Orc half Uxane and her hunch back thrall named Girth. A solo pirate who once sailed aboard an Affite sky ship run by arcane electricity. Others made up the start of his own army.
Consolidating their power wasn't difficult. Many of the humanoids here saw them as gods. From Koriv to the ends of Hadoras, Novad, Amkha, Zekmar, Giadra, Ghudran, and Galaia their empire spread. As a Gantronese lesser Daimyo, Enemeto Virax acquired more of these humanoids for an army. One platoon of 32 corrupted Elves belonging to a city-state called Lucere on the borders of Mulzan and the mountains. These corrupt beings brought twelve Ghouls on chain leashes. From the subterranean cities under Rhes Tarim hills, he received seventy-five Troglodytes armed with javelins and muskets. Half-Goblins of Novad, and Hadoras sent 304 of their own warriors, pile drivers, and chain twirlers. With these Goblins came 57 Gnomes held prisoners meant for fodder. Regions south of Mulzan hosted a variety of tribes, clans, city-states, nomads, enclaves, kingdoms, and monsters. Eighty-seven Lizard folk, 91 Orcs, 281 Mulzan Mage Ring Bullies, 788 Valley Dasher Cavalry from Koriv, Vorcadam, Gora Via Talus joined his army. In his mind he knew these were mostly sent or forced to join his army.
Enomoto did not see much need to equip them. His superiors gave him a small force of 46 elite Gantronese, 400 kinetic carbine troopers to aid him. All these inferior beings came with their own weaponry and sets of armor. Rifle from different eras, axes, Kaft Spears, scimitars, Katana, halberd staffs, war scythes, javelins, cudgels, maces, war hammers, lances, bows, and cross bows. He noted other weapons and styles of armor before starting their expedition. It was technically an invasion, yet it was just him probing the area. A series of invasions would follow after his first expedition into the Unknown Lands. It had more to do with curiosity about these regions. Flanked by two large mountain ranges Jurax was to be home to many tribes, cultures, kingdoms, and city-states. Through the months of the 48 Uxane tribes they learned its name Jurax. Virax calculated 32,498 Uxane warriors who became retainers to serve the Gantronese Empire. Among the Dark Elves who submitted 12,156 chose to become thralls. From the underworlds of Mulzan's south they erected a base for 2,000 Guine-Chai Ogre underworld officers. None of those Dark Elves, Uxane, or Ogres would be under his command. His own empire was still at war with the Nazdar Empire. It required most of their forces. An expedition of 1,807 pressed deeper into Jurax lands. Meeting limited or no resistance Daimyo Virax annexed most of the foothills and grasslands. Thanks to the generosity of his superiors Virax received transportation vehicles. Hovercraft for land operations helped in his expedition. Even though they could scout the area using aircraft or reconnaissance machines, it seemed proper to do this. Most of the fields south of Mulzan territories remained unclaimed at the moment. Most of these Jurax groups barely possessed any vehicles to fight with. Just as he was about to begin, he received word there were more groups moving to explore the area.
Virax and three others were chosen to fix the unclaimed regions. The other two raced for the Sarcagos Mountain rangers, a mountain range that jutted from the ones that trailed down from Mulzan's southwestern borders to the south. High Colonel Tunshi commanded 1,800 Gantronese warriors, soldiers, and retainers among Gantronese, Gantronese Spawn, and submissive non-Gantronese humanoids. Grand General Yangmo Buukai commanded a total of 16,000 Gantronese warriors, soldiers, and Gantron-spawn. With these two racing for the Sarcagos Mountains he saw an open door. Moving towards the east Virax came across some interesting nomadic factions. Calling themselves the Urada, Icashi, and the Dapesh, these nomadic groups provided 5,900 and more mounted warriors. Virax saw these nomadic groups as useful to expedition. Over a month passed with his efforts seeing mixed results. Over thirty-five tribes, cities, and kingdoms either submitted, or fell to his expedition. His army was reduced, but thanks to some reinforcements he was able to stabilize their gains. One independent village had a scorpion temple which he ordered destroyed in order forcefully subdue the village. As he moved deeper with the Sarcagos Mountains to the west, and the larger mountain ranges he came across a mix of terrains. Savanna, or fields of grass dotted by patches of jungle stretched from the southern tips of the Sarcagos Mountains to the Galacho Zoxo mountain ranges. While he camped out with his expedition forces Virax received reports about a Dwarf Kingdom offering 2,000 large pieces of iron ore. The discovery of a metal ore called Rhowhian that was the same as their own metal used for vehicles. It was actually orange-gold in appearance. Sending some scouts ahead of them astride cat like mountains Virax received reports of vast amounts of jungle going on for leagues. There was also some hint of ruins, swamps, larger reptilian beasts, Gnoll tribes, Lizard folk, and some murderous plant they would need to avoid.
None of these convinced him to stop. Determination filled his veins as his blood boiled inside. Some obstacles he could subdue or swat out of his way. His expedition army did increase as the time progressed into three months. Gantronese flags would one day fly over every settlement once they consolidated their power this vast Jurax region. He had numerous ways to do this. What did not help was that his empire was still at war with the Nazdar Empire to the north and west. One of the ships, a smaller beetle shaped craft came to his location with a company of non-Gantrons, another small company of Gantronese Spawn, ammunition, extra weapons, and rations. The rest arrived with needed vehicles, willing Koriv Cavalry to man outposts. One of the beetle shaped ships came with large stowaway insects, which caused some damage, and fourteen deaths. Furious he sent one of the pilots back without a hand. It took another week before they found another settlement larger than a village. It was here where they started to face some resistance from Uxane tribes to the west. All it did was give this Gantronese a bitter taste in his mouth.
Ten years later most of the Unknown Lands of Jurax became part of the Gantronese Empire. Yet they were met with resistance from city-states, Uxane tribes, VUVR forces, and their allies. Their wars with the Nazdar came to an end a few years before their empire came to the borders of a kingdom called Borvados. Having those wars end allowed them to move 1.1 million extra Gantronese to the regions called Jurax, to Zekmar, and other borders being threatened. While inside of the constructed castles meant for the Gantronese rulers he received some reports of the usual engagements. One of his subordinates mentioned some Black Dragon lurking in the vast marshes along with various other creatures. Plenty of Gnoll tribes, Lizard folk, Troglodytes, a few city-states, other aliens joined their invasion. It now became an occupation force that was being threatened by the VUVR, and their allied coalition. He knew the Dragon would take out a unit of Gantronese if they were inside its lair or territory. Virax ordered for them to either take care of that or leave it alone. Over a communications line in form of a phone Virax heard of something else.
"My lord, there is this ship that is identical to one of ours." the subordinate mentioned.
"What does it look like, Sceo?" He asked addressing the subordinated according to their rank.
"A headless beetle of metal made from our own affite minerals. It appears to be a shipwreck in the jungles that was transformed into a house or something." the Sceo answered him.
"Secure that ship. What is its condition?" Virax demanded hearing static come and go.
"Overgrown, but we are not sure if someone is still living inside it." the Sceo responded.
"Then shoot any nosy rats, sceo!" Virax hung up the phone piece then rubbed his forehead out of frustration. The Gantronese hold over the lands of Jurax could become limited unless some measures were taken.
Denmark fell within weeks while Norway followed after. For the fatherland, for Adolf Hitler he fought to enrich Germany once again. In 1940 his comrades in the Wehrmacht achieved victory after victory against the Imperialist British Forces. Einrich Tannen and his unit drove out of Oslo, Norway. As the usual routine after seizing control over a territory the military patrolled the maintained roads. There were times they found old trails they were forced to traverse by foot. One time they had to camp out in order to scout a trail which they marked down with a sign using German and Norwegian warning signs. This time they drive straight for Mount Galdhoppigen. It took them time to drive over there, but it was worth it. In their Maultier half-track they made it to the base of Galdhoppigen. It was already the year 1941 at this moment. Most of Europe were under the banners of the Swastika. His squad leader did not see it was necessary to harass the locals so much. Yes they occupied their lands, but he saw them more as Germanic brethren. More Aryan alongside the Germans. Nine men in a squad included himself, Willi, Max, Nicolas, Eric, Paul, Kilian, Leo, and their leader Pascal got out to check out the base of this mountain.
Looking up at this mountain Einrich felt an ominous suspicion rise inside of him. Though he felt more awe than fear at the sight of the highest mountain in northern Europe. Taking one step further towards the base of the mountains he spotted a large mass of moss on a boulder covered in melting snow. It looked more like a thick layer of trauerweide which collapsed in on itself. The way that tree stood made it obvious this was no tree. Curious he approached it a little further to check out this large hunk of moss with strands of long hair. Upon approaching it he caught whiff of a bad odor that entered his nostrils. Backing away he attempted not to wrench out his stomach empty. The wind blew a little steering the stench away from his nostrils. He received the sense of relief until he straightened himself. His comrades stood in a semicircle gawping in his direction. One of them gestured for him to rush their way. Einrich gave him a puzzled look then turned around. Behind this moss engulfed boulder stood three large stone like creatures covered in hair. One of them had two heads, another had a big nose. The third was hunched over the boulder tugging at an arm that appeared from the boulder.
Did the Norwegian locals stifle a word about these creatures? Einrich blinked a few times then shook his head not sure if he wasn't just seeing this. Passing these off as just tall hairy Norwegians who did not understand orders of surrender Pascal barked at them with gusto. Nothing came out the creatures' mouths except a growl followed by a roar. Nicolas pulled out a Catholic Cross and started to pray quickly as if he was warding off evil. Whatever these creatures were these were not human? Were some Norse myths true? Einrich barely received any time to react when one of the creatures charged after Nicolas. The squad fired in response with little effect on the creature. Some of them fell back while the rest spread out. Nicolas was torn apart as the monster ripped off limbs and tore out his entrails. His head and chest were bitten off and crunched by the creature's jaws. Einrich could only hear the screams of his squad along with the deafening cracks of their weapons discharging. The beast did go down however the other two attack the squad with feral ferocity. Too scared to even comprehend part of himself fired automatically until he was out of ammunition. Seeing his squad get smashed into jelly, torn apart, and thrown like a doll Einrich made himself crawl his way to whatever he believed would be safe. As he crawled away from the base the mountain, he felt a jerk of his leg and he was up in the air only to come back down hard on the ground.
On the opposite side of the border a single sniper prepared a third shot at a group of backstabbing Vossan. His orders were clear, take out as many followers before the Nazdar arrive at the scene. Raising his head up from the scope the bald headed, scarred sniper pulled down his hood. His own race and species no longer mattered. For the past eleven life spans his body slowly healed after mutilated torture, and sustained injuries. Firs the injuries came after an accident involving a large bundle of timber that landed on him. Whoever was there declared him dead leaving his body at the hands of paramedics. To his misfortune the paramedics left him inside a corpse preparation room then put him next to the morgue of the hospital.
While he lay on the gurney bandaged up something else came for him. A Hierophant, Research Assistant, Reverse Engineer, and some lackey saved plus captured him. An actual abduction is what he called the situation be called. He wasn't the only one, as Experiment 2013 he barely recalled his past life. About fifteen to twenty others were abducted for experiments around the same time as him. Once his wounds were healed, Experiment 2013 was done being whatever his labels were at the time. Undergoing a transformation from experiments he received his own military training. A high powered 954 sniper rifle is what he was given along with other weapons stashed away somewhere at home base.
Taking another shot, Experiment 2013 was not alone. Experiment 1006, the gold tan rogue assassin attempted an attack on the Vossan cultists earlier. Attacking the Cydnams wasn't his concern nor the assassin's problem. His mission was going after a spell book that a Vossan witch held in her possession. Their main master, Simsus Noxim sent them to this blasted planet. Obsessed with this spell book their own master tied their own faction with the Nazdar forces here in a temporary alliance. Despite origins from the planet Pos their master possessed experiments, slaves, hired hands, guards, castles, various artifacts, warehouses full of antiques, weapons. Simsus could send an army here, but it was best to send a smaller force to avoid confrontations. In a team the two experiments arrived on this planer with others. A sentient dragon-bat called Cyborg 920, a sentient velociraptor humanoid, a reptilian and some other humanoids. Their reptilian companion was now a dismembered experiment formerly called Scales 1039. A result of an argument over the fate of two potato farmers they captured.
Aside from this spell book Experiment 2013's team hunted down other artifacts. One large oceanic chalice style bowl, a crystal earth stone sphere stand that held strange powers. It was also known as a Spere. Another artifact was a crystal that can take out knowledge. Simsus had his sights set on other artifacts. Eager to find someone with knowledge he also hired a bachelor in history to do research. Mutant Experiment 2013 forgot his name. Since he was not here at the moment some of the team talked trash about the bachelor in history. The trash talk ended quickly whenever a rival came into the scene. Close to taking another shot Mutant 2013 thought he caught a glimpse of a brown skinned dark elf. Not the desirable curvy type most deviants he knew of pursued, or attempted buying in the underground market. This one appeared lean muscled, rather tall, black hair with white streaks in it. Yet he could not help if their scholarly friend was interested in a dark elf or brown skinned woman of desirable beauty.
She would have been his next kill if a sense of fascination did not consume him. Whatever she was doing among the voluptuous beauty witch, known as Ometrienne the Auburn Occultist seemed suspicious. As he gazed at her something else caught his attention. Another group of alien experiments arrived on the scene at the borders. Turning his gaze onto the next group he thought of the different rivals his Mastar Simsus had. These rivals were many, but he recalled the likes of Noeth Carl, Nobunagise, Rallal, Massonaz, Geeme the Shemale, and Xesti Murza. As these names came to mind he wondered if these rivals would come to this particular planet. Across the regions of thirty-three planets their Master searched for new test subjects for his experiments. Eppy 13, a nick name given to him by a female scientist, knew about 837 planets or moons his Master visited. It wouldn't have surprised him if Master Noxim was outlawed or banned from entering those planets.
After crafting an army of experiments, Noxim's scientists managed to equip them with the means to survive or fight an all-out war. Each gear, equipment, tool, weapon, and piece used came from the 837 planets. Out of all these experiments just over fifty operational ones remained according to Eppy 2013. Just a team set out to retrieve this spell book that revealed some secrets to creating life. How Noxim was going to do that depended on the text, research, and availability of resources. Test subjects, or recently deceased could not be acquired easily. Using patients, or wounded whom he captured, his master created other experiments. Those were still alive and able bodied after a few more surgeries in prosthetics and wiring. His own body did not feel like his own after what Noxim did to him. His own gaze rested on this newly arrived group bearing a familiar symbol or logo. Their own logo of an eye between two spires.
This group consisted of a mechanized lizard thing with shoulder guns with triggers, 83 Raptor lizard humanoids in full combat gear, 6 humanoid fighters, one humanoid bug of a bio experiment from a military scientist. Among them was an andromorphic cat-hound, and green skinned elf. Wondering if this group belonged to Noxim as well, Eppy ordered the Velociraptor hail them. In the Velosic language, Reptile 89 communicated through a hand radio. Experiment 2013 watched one of the Raptor humanoid pick up the communication. Most of them stopped then took cover.
"Code coordinates 887, southeast of your position." Reptile 89 reported over the radio. His reptilian neck turned towards their direction.
"We have company in bound. Friendlies coming over." Her voice carried over to the group.
Eppy 2013 scanned the area using his scope and mechanical eye. Spotting seven other groups landing he prepared to defend their own group's positions. To the north he thought he spotted more movement. Yet it seemed too far away to really estimate their approach towards their location. He attempted to ignore the idea of Nazdar forces heading this way. Returning his focus back to the Vossan followers he saw more arrived. Four thousand paper backs or credits a month could not get him to fight an army. Other currencies such as Comet Rings, or Green Suns were his main income. Estimating the number of new followers in Eppy 2013 swore he counted over two hundred extra followers for the Auburn Occultist. They arrived in the thirty-three vehicles. These Vossan cultists gathered at their camp which became encircled by every vehicle they possessed. Desperate to hold off extermination or be wiped out the Vossan constructed a defensive perimeter with barricades between each vehicle. Switching his gaze to their own people Eppy 2013 witnessed their own faction heading towards them. A total of seven other groups spread out along the borders of what was once Vossan and a free state called Cydnam.
Noeth Carl's group arrived with a Dragon humanoid wearing a three spiked helmet, an airship crewed by possibly 200, a loner freak flying another freighter carrying 267 Fomorian-Spawn, Primordial-Spawns armed equally to Nazdar Grevaskii. The next group appeared to belong to Rallal the Master who likely hired contractors for this job. Eppy recognized these contractors. One royal looking noble who was now an outcast from a palace. A mercenary group called Memore Company came with 100 personnel 20 tanks, 20 artillery pieces plus the crews. A single Tyranosaurus mutant with a spider droid as a companion. Both were armed with draconic lightning laser guns. Just one Rhino mutant with four arms, armed with six blasters in their belt, a four eyed tall burglar from a syndicate, an arch mage known as Noxone, an Orc equipped with alien armor and energy weaponry made up one small unit. Another unit of Red Tet'arqs, a reptilian shrew with fur came with a team of fourteen. The next unit consisted of seventeen Lairthos warrior-hunters. Wolf men hired from outcast colonies. Six transports freighters meant for carrying cargo, personnel, equipment, supplies, prisoners, and vehicles drifted away backwards after drop off. The last unit consisted of fourteen Playoi humanoids with the blue and stripes on the left side of their head, and other side shaven. It was the only way to identify them without the tower shields.
Geeme the shemale arrived with a small force. Double checking the shemale's faction he noted Geeme just sent a small force to this planet. Likely to pull off a covert reconnaissance or a quick burglary, Geeme only had twenty-seven of her own being dropped off. Their ride, a triple plier shaped brig made a run for the skies. Several aircraft chased after this one. From Noeth Carl's and Rallal's ships air fighters that went after Geeme's appeared nonstandard ones. In the shapes of beaks with folded bat wings or winged cat heads mixed with a pickaxe these fighter craft held the name of Vludauc Craft. Dependency and reliability appeared solid in the field. Yet it was a shame the Vludauci became extinct due to a forty-seven-year conflict. It was between the Nazdar, Gantronese, CSO, Order of the Beast, and three other factions spread across a section of two galaxies. Eppy 2013 studied the other rival groups that arrived in force. Geeme's small force bearing a fiery worm coiling in a spiral circle consisted of different species of various backgrounds. Three blemmies, a dark elf blade fighter, four-armed humanoid, were rat reaper, minotaur, bird humanoid doctor, a Goblinna machine gunner, crazed ogre, and fourteen cambion females.
Nobunagise sent an army over. That would only attract attention from the Nazdar and locals. Hunkered down Eppy 2013's team welcomed their own group. Through the patches of woods, hills and brush the newly arrived Noxim forces made it. Still unnoticed by locals, their strength, they set up base. It wasn't until morning did Eppy see the borders liven up. Each rival faction set up camp in the form of a base. Some dug in, others pitched their tents. One of the most advanced factions used their own ships as a base. He could estimate a force of over nine thousand to ten thousand gathered at the borders.
Behind him another argument started between fellow contractors. Turning around Eppy threw a rock at them. Just to get it across that they needed to knock it off Eppy went over to smack one of them. Rechecking the occultist camp he noticed their positions seemed spared. Were the other rival factions waiting for a better time to attack? Was it too early and they still needed to finish setting up camp? Was another faction on the way? Geeme's forces set up camp closest to the Cydnam borders. Bringing a small force of twenty-two of her own thugs, or lackeys. A platoon is all she could spare. It proved to be a shown flaw about her. Did she think this was going to be easy? From the Cydnam side of the border a large force of over twelve thousand infantry men, backed by a few other forces. Chances of getting that spell book looked slim. Yet the likely hood of the cultist leader being exterminated appeared high.
Eppy watched over 12,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalry, 250 tanks launch an assault that swallowed Geeme's unit. Certain the platoon was a goner Eppy turned to the other forces. Noeth Carl's forces came under bombing runs and harassment from 55 aircraft. The 268-man ground force scattered or suffered losses from the air attacks. His 200 hired sailors scrambled back to the airship under fire. Their freighter came under fire. It came down just as it started to launch back up. In an explosive inferno the freighter's debris hit the airship causing parts to catch fire. Two factions were down, or making a run for it. Whichever fighter craft attacked Geeme's ship found themselves struggling to launch from the ground.
For some reason Eppy's heart sank as the airship's hopes of lift off faded when another bombshell hit it. A direct hit to the cockpit with the engines running sent it off course. All it could do was crash into the earth. Massonaz's forces, the Order of the Beast, Nobunagise's forces, Rallal's forces, and another remained. Four combined forces met the Cydnam forces while launching their own attack on the cultists. Only three of the factions met the Cydnam forces in the field.
He could only describe it as a surprising betrayal. The last force to arrive called themselves the Iron Virus. Getting a better look Eppy noted a force of three thousand or so this Iron Virus sent. Believing it was best to wait for the fighting to die out, Eppy let his guard down. Watching these forces clash brought a mix of relief and dread. Massonaz and the Order of the Beast found themselves wiped out. Their forces were shrunk down to nothing. It seemed wasteful to bring a small sized force and believe in a quick mission here. Drawn into a battle meant death. Eppy was certain the Cydnam force the cultist fought earlier were more than relieved to watch this. Probably celebrating this sudden turn of events. Nobunagise's forces fared a little better as they were armored, a heavily armed. He could say the same about stragglers and smaller bands of survivors who rushed to Nobunagise.
Eppy's own group showed signs of uneasy tension over this. Most wanted to join, others wanted to leave. Sure they can cleave or stay. Hed did not want their help at all. Nor did he seek their help. Yet did he need their help? Close to 80 % of his own group split up between those who sought to fight and those who desire to leave. Their encampment started to empty due to the issue over the battle going on. Instead of fighting over thirty-six went to fight Cydnam, thirty-three went to leave this planet. Left with two dozen of Simsus's people Eppy 2013 was put in charge of this mission. He knew heading out now was suicide. Waiting around could expose them to discovery. Fording across a river well behind them would bring their group to some woods. Doing a head count of what was left he counted twenty-six experiments and lackeys remaining. He made the twenty-seventh remaining.
According to one of the survivors who attacked the fighting that became a massacre. One Velociraptorine named Orphun aka. SV 116 described the bloodshed as a quagmire between the rivals and Cydnam force. Very few of the combatants survived unscathed after the fighting ended. Most of the survivors lay on the ground wounded. All the vehicles were out of actions or left the scene. Rallal's forces only fielded three mercenary troopers, ten tank crew members and artillery crew members. Out of Nabunagise's retainers three cavalry warriors, 653 servants, and slaves survived. Each of them was taken into custody as a prisoner by Cydnam forces. A second wave of Cydnam troops came in. With help from the Iron Virus these Cydnam troops rounded up the wounded before leaving the battlefield attended by a platoon. Eppy checked the Occultist camp. Ometrienne's forces looked overrun. With what forces they had left aside from the deserters Eppy raced over to the Occultist camp at night. Using the night sky swallowed up by a thick cloud as cover he reached Ometrienne's camp. Most of her followers lay dead. A few jolted awake at the sound of footsteps on the ground. Eppy 2013 had no time to deal with their trauma. Approaching the Auburn Witch's main tent the experiment rummaged through the debris. He only found a box of jewels, other tomes, one different spell book that did not match the same description, and some treasured staffs. His mission ended in failure.
Were the borders secure or not? No one was certain in this part of the planet called Calorn. An orb of combined elements or material plane is what this was once called a millennia ago. How the so-called wizards or mages of this world knew about other planets that existence with their view of their own world, confused him. Sent over to this planet by an absolutist government official with a unit of nine others this radio man held one job. This ten-man unit was to blend in with the local population, join their military or act as a mercenary band. The later seemed more doable and proved believable to the locals. Caught in a combat situation at the southeastern parts of Cydnam his unit became meshed with a Cydnam one. Thirty-eight Cydnamese held their ground against a force of 921 hostiles. Earlier in the week these hostiles started off with a battalion of 1,393, these Vossan appeared to be followers of some voluptuous looking beauty. Life sized pictures of her were wielded like a banner in their ranks.
Wedged against the sea at a ridge of rocky terrain he believed it was time to call in evac. Multiple gunshots came their way from the followers. Bullets ricocheted off the rocks around them. Several Cydnam soldiers returned fire. Sergeant Paoli Gerasome brought out his cordless oval egg radio. Carved from pieces of bowed wood that med a cover with straps the disk-shaped radio communication fit inside the shell. Grabbing the phone piece to the radio Paoli switched on the radio. Beeping noise, static, broken voices, more static entered his ears before it became clear. Turning a dial back and forth in search of the right frequency for a channel he ducked down. No more than fifty-nine shots hit their location. It disrupted him for a moment. A channel emerged in his ear causing him to rise a little. Voices rose up through the radio amid more static.
Paoli yelled at the top of his lungs so they can hear him. Whoever he caught the attention of probably jumped out of their seat. From his side of the line, he could hear a female voice snapping at the operator. After a few seconds of snapping at the operator, smacking, cursing, metal hitting the floor the line fell quiet for a moment. Rattling sounds of the headset being placed on the head entered his ears. The woman he heard over the radio spoke to him. Both exchanged words describing each other's situation. She was a pirate captain of a submarine called the Orange Cat. Boasting that she commanded a crew of eighty-three pirates this captain agreed to this evac request of his. Before any coordinates to their location could be exchanged, they experienced a disruption.
He attempted to get a signal again. He made the attempt three more times only to get static or nothing. Forced to give up, he hung up the phone piece just as a burst of gunfire filled the air, replacing the static noise. Under the command of Lieutenant Gabrov, the Cydnam soldiers held off another wave of Vossan attackers. Ten minutes went by with Gabrov's unit and Paoli's unit exchanging fire with the hostile Vossan. This shoot out resulted in 408 deaths, 136 wounded. Among the dead were nine of Gabrov's men, two of Paoli's own team. Only one of Cydnam's soldiers lay wounded. Gabrov's unit shot their rounds at the Vossan cultists that fled. Everyone cheered as they watched the Vossan flee, leaving their own dead and wounded on the ground.
As they cheered someone else fired a shot into the fleeing Vossan cultists. Every Cydnam soldier dropped down, Paoli's unit dropped down with them. Confused, Paoli asked one of the Cydnams who that was. A little scared, they mentioned mercenaries among the Nazdar ranks. Vossan became a Nazdar territory with every subject submitting to Nazdar rule. However, these followers did not seem to show loyalty towards the Nazdar invaders. Another shot came in hitting a second Vossan. Whoever fired that shot did not come from either group, but the mentioned mercenaries. It was a likely explanation as Cydnam and the Nazdar were in somewhat of a ceasefire agreement. His heart still sank realizing the Nazdar could also arrive here.