“We need to know where those goblins have come from to even have a chance at taking their food.” I said, stepping under a low branch.
Shark was on my right with Silenz on my left, Ronin was behind me fully geared in his flamethrower equipment plus his shotgun.
Shark responded, “Which shouldn''t be that hard to achieve, as we have spotted several potential spots their base of operations is at.” Shark explained.
“And where would that be?” I asked.
“This morning we spotted a small wooden fort to the north East, on a hill.” Shark explained.
“A wooden fort on a hill? I would’ve seen something like that last night when they first attacked.” I said.
“Well it was foggy last night and evening but in the morning it wasn’t, with the temperature having risen above freezing it gave clear morning skies according to the spotters.” Shark said, we arrived at a barbed wire fence with the opening guarded.
The men were in stormtrooper armor, appearing like a knight of sorts but with a gun instead of a sword. They nodded and allowed us in almost immediately.
“That explains why I didn’t see anything last night until they were quite literally at the gate.” I said, passing the opening in the fence with Silenz allowing me through first.
“Yes, it is a part of the reason why we didn’t see anything last night. So the plan is to attack that fort, without artillery we do not want to destroy all the intel assuming they have any.” Shark said, as we approached the right fort and started climbing the boxes to the top. Ronin remained on the bottom taking a position at the door cover.
An armored stormtrooper man was on the fort looking over the entire area surrounding the walls.
“Lieutenant Bomblitz.” Shark said, introducing me to the stormtrooper who I immediately recognized the name of.
“Daniel?” I blurted out.
Daniel turned around and looked at me surprised. “James?” He said more excited than I expected. He immediately rushed up to me, with more speed than I would’ve expected with something so heavy on him.
“It''s been years since I last saw you, where have you been? You don’t call or text, anything happened to you?” He had deep bagged eyes, his Kyntari player looked very similar to what I last remember how he looked like.
He had the typical cat ears of a Kyntari, pale skin with several scars along his cheek and some facial hair. Wearing the armor of a stormtrooper. He was only 3 inches shorter than me at five feet and the armor made him taller by about two inches.
I gave a weak guilty smile “I became a little busy after high school, very very busy more than I wanted to.” I said.
Daniel however gave me a friendly hug on the shoulder, the cold armor took me by surprise “that doesn’t matter, I’m glad you''re alright, and alive. So what brings you here?” He asked, ending the hug on the shoulder.
“Well we are planning on attacking a fort that belongs to the people who attacked us last night.” I answered.
“That fort?” He pointed towards something off in the distance, “I’ve been watching it the entire day there hasn''t been much movement nor can I tell if anybody lives there.” Daniel said.
“Alright.” I turned back to the four star General of the US army “Anyways Shark, this my highschool friend. As you can tell, I haven’t seen or talked to him in years.” I said.
“Well that makes my job much easier with introductions, so Lieutenant you were saying?” Shark asked.
Daniel brought up his binoculars, Shark handed me a pair of binoculars and looked in the direction Daniel was looking at and saw the small silhouette of a wall.
“Well I haven’t seen much, or can tell much of what the fort is. The angle doesn’t allow me to, but what I do know is that it should be easy to storm. Unless I am wrong about what it is as I am an idiot and I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m wrong as all I’ve seen is a tiny silhouette of what I think is a fort.” Daniel said.
I continued looking at the fort and the surrounding area, “I’ll take you at your word for the information as you’ve been looking at this thing much longer than I have.” I said adjusting the binoculars in an attempt to get a clearer image.
But it was too far and was still grainy.
I brought down my binoculars, and looked at Shark. “So I’m going to propose this, we take a small army of 50 stormtroopers, with 1 ATG’s, 10 medics, 10 engineers, 10 LMGers, 5 flamethrowers and 5 officers.” I gave my idea.
Shark responded, “I was thinking of sending a small scouting party towards the fort to see what was there.”
“Thing is we do not know if they are lying in wait for us, so I say we take a mixed company that will be able to make an organized retreat if need be with few casualties due to safety in numbers, or be able to fight off a large force successfully. We do not have the Broken wall to act as a funnel for their troops; it''ll be an open battle.” I said.
Shark nodded his head seemingly considering this, “Yeah, I see what you mean by that. Bomblitz can you summon your platoon of Stormtroopers along with Doms?” Shark ordered.
“Yes sir.” Bomblitz said, saluting Shark and me of all things.
Shark looked at me “I am surprised he saluted me? Is Lieutenant Bomblitz a part of the military?”
“Last I checked Daniel joined the Texan Army National Guard and I think he took part in putting down a Nationalist uprising in Mexico City. So I would say he is possibly one of the most qualified people here, despite his character traits.” I explained.
“Really? That explains a lot about him.” Shark said.
Daniel came back with 5 rows of 10 filled with soldiers all wearing stormtrooper armor. Next to that row of storm troopers was a mixture of engineers, medics, ATGs, Infantry and all their subclasses, along with a few flamethrowers. All in rows of 5 of 10.
“Sir, I gathered the company.” Daniels saluted Shark and I.
I nodded, still somewhat surprised by Daniel saluting me. “Good.” I said.
Shark, Silenz also nodded.
Silenz spoke for the first time while we were here, “I can summon my company to be on guard duty while you guys are out raiding.” Silenz said.
“That’ll work.” Shark said.
Silenz took out his clipboard and I received a message from Silenz.
“My company, head to the Broken Wall south of the main bunker.” Orders from Silenz.
“Alright, now we need to take in consideration that we have nonexistent logistics. On top of not having any industry to support a long term conflict.” I said.
Daniel responded, “So we make the campaign swift, we hit them hard and fast before they can realize what is happening. That''s what we did during the Mexico City uprisings.”
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“Thing is we know nothing, literally nothing of who we are fighting or going to.” I said.
“Which is why we are going to raid that fort, it''s not far, it''s only 9 or so miles away. A four hour or so walk it will take. We don''t need any serious logistics. We have everybody take whatever food and supplies they can carry on their backs, then we will attack only that fort. If we see any more forts we’ll attack them later.” Daniel said.
“Alright, that sounds good.” I said.
“We’ll handle the attack plan later, for now we have to tell our men as they are starting to leave.” Daniel said.
“Alright, I’ll take the reins and tell them the plan.” I said.
“You sure?” Shark said.
“I’ll be fine, I am technically ranked Colonel and as such I am technically in charge of everything here.” I said.
“Technically.” Daniel said in between air quotes.
“Ok blackhole.” I said, and I stepped onto the wall ignoring Daniels reaction. I was twenty feet up off the ground overlooking a large crowd.
“Hello everybody!” I yelled out, the 100 people all stared at me at around the same time. “Ok.” I whispered to myself as I psyched myself up.
“I am Colonel Ceo, the one who was in charge of the Kyntari side in the game and I hope you guys see me as that still.” I mentally facepalmed and I was sure Daniel did the same. “So your commanding officers and I were just discussing a plan. A plan that will hopefully help deal with the current crisis we are in, one in relation to food security as many of you remember. Yesterday I ordered us all to butcher the thousands of dead bodies from the battle and preserve them for food. That meat isn’t going to last forever, so we are going to attack a fort that will hopefully have information on who the goblins were that attacked us last night, and hopefully we could learn where their fields are.” I said to the crowd.
“Are you saying we are going to go to war?” A person in the ever increasingly disorganized crowd asked.
“Yes, that''s what I am getting at.” I answered and then continued “We are not at home, on Earth in America. We have nothing to feed ourselves with to survive for more than 3 months, not even seeds, only swords and gunpowder is all we have.
Last night we were attacked, while repelled with no losses thank god for that. We were still attacked, by an unknown force who has the capability of a civilization that can manufacture weapons, and as such they should have food. I ask you people today to join us to fight for any future to dig us out to the light on the other side of this mountain we find ourselves in, or if anything else you’ll at least have a shot at eating something other than human meat.” I looked over the army and everybody was whispering to each other.
None gave me a sign that they were accepting my call to arms.
Then suddenly one person jousted their rifle into the air, giving a war cry, “RAAHH!” He jousted up the rifle barrel up and down.
Followed by another person doing the same, and like dominoes every single person in the company was accepting my call to arms.
I raised my hand and motioned for the crowd to quiet down, and when they did I spoke. “Alright then we will be moving towards a fort 9 miles to the North East. We are not sure what it exactly is but we believe it''s a fort, and as such gather enough food that can last you till tomorrow morning. Dismissed.” I said.
The company gave nods and then began to move towards a bunker in the back, I returned to the right fort.
Daniel gave me a smirk “That was very good, I expected you to stutter a lot more.”
“I have changed a lot over the last seven years.” I said.
Shark nodded and said “Despite your speech, it doesn’t change the fact that we don’t have the capability to transport the supplies we need to keep our men effective over the 9 miles.”
“Yeah that''s still an issue.” I said.
I brought up my binoculars and looked towards the river and then towards the fort off in the distance, I saw several small streams and possibly big streams branching off the river. “Look at the river and how many streams are branching off of it,” I pointed in the general direction of the streams. “I don’t think supplies are going to be a problem, and if we find a deep enough stream we could possibly forage for food.” I suggested.
Shark looked through his pair, looked around for a few seconds before saying. “Yes, I see what you mean. So should we leave once Silenz’s men get here and just get whatever we need from the surrounding lands?”
“That could work to support our small force of only 100 men, maybe a little more but that’ll work.” I said.
“Assuming we can even effectively cook fish.” Daniel said.
“Well it''s worth a shot, even then it''s not that far away in the grand scheme of things.” I said.
“Just that we are walking the distance and not driving it.” Daniel said.
“Yeah, that''s the only issue.” I said.
Silenz approached us and said, “My men are here ready to replace your force when y’all leave.”
I nodded “Alright, Shark, are your men ready to leave?” I asked, looking over towards the positions.
“Not sure myself.” Shark said, bringing out his clipboard and I received a message.
“Y’all ready to leave? If so, gather outside the wall in front of the gate.” Orders from Major Shark.
Soon after the entire company began making their way outside the wall in front of the gate.
“Now we know.” Shark said he got down from the top onto the boxes on the ground. Followed by me getting down to the ground, when I got out I looked at the general position of the sun and found it to be about noon.
Ronin was waiting for me at the cover and saw I was getting down.
“You were waiting here for me this entire time?” I asked, knowing there was a language barrier.
He said something and Gunther appeared behind me translating what I said.
“You''re here?” I asked.
“I am in Sharks’ company.” Gunther then looked at Ronin as the kid was saying something, “Ronin says that you were one of the first people other than his parents to show concern about him.”
“That''s kind of sad.” I responded.
“That''s life in Japan.” Ronin said.
“Well let''s get going, the army is waiting for us kid.” I looked at Ronin as he took the position in front of me.
“You know Ronin sees you as a parental figure?” Gunther said behind me.
“Really? That makes a lot of sense.” I said.
“Well he’s a good loyal kid, and you’ve given him a reason to be loyal to you.” Gunther said.
We passed the gate and joined Shark and Daniel at the head of the army.
“Is it because I treat him as an actual human being?” I asked.
“Probably, he doesn’t give me a straight answer when I ask him about it. What I can tell you is that he isn’t horny for you, that''s for sure.”
“Well that''s good.” I sighed as Shark and Daniel waited for me.
“So we''re leaving?” Daniel asked.
“Yes, we are right now.” I said turning to the army, “We are going to move towards the river and then make a turn towards the unknown fort.” I yelled at the company.
Everybody gave nods, but Daniel stepped in.
“Say yes ma’am!” He yelled.
“Yes Ma’am!” The company yelled in varying degrees in unison.
I sighed “Well let''s get moving.” I ordered and began moving in the direction of the River with the company following.
Shark was next to me while Daniel moved to his company.
“So what''s the plan of action?” Shark asked.
“If we meet anybody that isn’t us, and hostile we kill them and take anything of value they have and butcher the bodies for supplies. If they are not hostile, kidnap them and interrogate them for any information they may have.” I said.
“For the fort?”
“Just knock on the front door, blow up the walls, walk in and take everything of value they have. While killing all who resist, and capturing those who seem to be of value or surrender.” I said.
“Then what about the way to the fort?”
“Stop whenever we get tired, catch some fish, cook it and drink water then get moving. We’ll figure that out when we get there.” I said.
“Not exactly the most well planned out or prepared mission but winging it for a small force with a single goal in mind works well.” Shark said.
“What’d you expect from me? I''m not the greatest strategist or the most organized with very little resources in my hands. So what did you have in mind?” I asked.
“My idea would require things we do not have, so it wouldn’t work until we finish this mission.”
“That tells me everything.”
I looked around and endless fields of tall grass, that wasn’t fully green, more like a dull green. Trees occasionally spotted the field that rolled with the hills that occasionally turned rough with cliff faces, but there weren’t any hills directly surrounding Palisade. Which was simply flat for the next mile or so out.
Like it was artificially flatten out, but it didn’t look out of place more like we were in the middle of a basin of sorts. One that wasn’t really seeable as it was likely massive.
I looked at the River off in the distance, it was wide as we slowly went down a gently downward sloping hill. The walls were following that slope, the river was surprisingly empty like no one lived here.
Then I looked to my right, away from the wall and off in the distance I saw a big wooden ship.
“Stop!” I yelled and everybody did “There''s a ship upstream!” I reported.
I picked up my binoculars to get a better look at it, it seemed like a galleon. I wasn’t sure what it was exactly but it had oars that were rowing with the stream, an unfurled sail, and a metal front meaning to me it was a Galleon.
“That''s one big ship, with lots of people too if I’m counting those oars correctly.” Shark said.
“Yeah, it is.” I brought out my clipboard and sent an order to the entire battalion.
“WARNING UNKNOWN SHIP APPROACHING PALISADE UP STREAM, BE PREPARED FOR A POTENTIAL ATTACK FROM THE RIVER!” Order from Colonel CeoMacNCheese.
I sent the order and soon after I received orders from every single Major that belonged to Vost Dor.
“Company begin placing barbed wire and sandbags on the beaches, along with Machine gun nests. Be prepared for a potential naval invasion.” Orders from jjvillage.
“Get the field and heavy artillery ready for use!” Orders from Memezboss.
“My Company stay at the Broken Wall. Be ready for a potential attack.” Orders from Silenz.
“Get the canoes filled with a meeting party to contact the unknown ship.” Orders from Fishman.
“Company, move three of the Behemoths onto the banks of the river and cover its sides and front with sandbags.” Orders from Forthelolz.
“Infantry gather at the banks of the river.” Orders from JacktheRipper.
The other orders were similar to that of Jacks, and didn’t need further reading.
“Come on, let''s get to the banks of the river.” I ordered everybody.
“Double time it company, come on!” Shark ordered, as everybody including me, began running towards the river.
We got to the banks in ten minutes and looked at the big ship off in the distance through my binoculars. The ship''s oars were still moving and it was only three miles away.
“We’re getting closer to that ship before it arrives at the Walls, preferably a mile or so.” I ordered, as everybody started running once more.
Ronin tapped my shoulder with Gunther ready to translate.
“Ronin says that the Noxu have received the news and are waiting on their side of the banks. Along with that they are guarding their side of the broken wall.” Gunther reported.
“How long have they been guarding it?” I asked.
“Ronin says he doesn’t know, that is something only the Noxu Colonel knows, let''s hope nothing is inside their side of the wall.” Gunther said, off in the distance I heard several large rumbling as a Behemoth was activated and began moving.