Chapter 23 Part 2 of 2 (Patreon)

Nearly Fifteen thousand Alva military members were housed between Alva and Vuzgal, not including the undead legions and the four thousand that were training.

“The Willful Institute is mobilizing and the people of Vuzgal just got word to evacuate by them. Glosil is in the command center. He has stepped up defenses in Vuzgal.”

Rugrat was walking away from the range, Yui right beside him.

“Erik?”

“A messenger has been dispatched.”

Niemm and his first special team fell in around Rugrat and Yui.

“We knew it was coming.”

***

Erik was last to arrive in the command center.

“As of four hours ago we’ve got reports of the Willful Institute mobilizing five main armies. We have also got reports of messages posted across Vuzgal that there will be an attack.” Glosil said.

The command center’s people moved with purpose but there was no panic.

They updated plots on the different realms. Sending and receiving information.

“Do we know if they have support?” Erik asked.

“At this time Director Silaz is gathering information on just who is aiding them. With the recent changes in activities by the bandits and the traders we believe that the Elsi clan is working to support them with city lords around Vuzgal.”

“You have been planning for this for months, what are your thoughts?” Erik asked.

“Recall the Dragon Regiment and Colonel Domonos to man the defenses. They have been the people on the ground, they know the terrain and defenses better than anyone.”

“The offensive led by the Adventurer’s guild?” Erik asked.

“We have already turned most of the control over to them, we can leave with minimal ripples.”

“Do you want to pull out the Tiger Battalion’s people as well?” Rugrat asked.

“Yes, also I wish to call on the reserves. They can return to Alva, get organized into units and armed.

Gives them time to get acclimatized to one another instead of fighting together with strangers," Erik nodded he looked to Yui who was agreeing with what is being said.

He's eager and young, wants to prove himself and cut his teeth in a real battle but he has the strength of character and confidence to wait. To do his duty. Might not be the most valiant looking role but it is nonetheless vital.

"It will take time to pull back Domonos, in the meantime?"

"In the meantime Yui will head to Vuzgal to prepare the defenses before turning them over, he will return to Alva with all of the Tiger Battalion. Do you want to talk about your actions on Colonel Yui?"

"Thank you commander," Yui nodded. "Already we are locking down the city. All leave passes are cancelled. We will run a full preparedness check on every weapon system. The bunker network will run through a ready drill. All nonessential personnel will be pulled back to Alva or to the fallback dungeons. Kanoa is already stationed in Vuzgal. His people will fly recon over the passes at high altitude in addition to our sensing net and information from Director Silaz."

“Once we can confirm the enemy is coming our next moves will depend on the situation. Specifically, which weapon systems we are escalating to,” Glosil said. “We have come up with four classes of weaponry to use. Phase one are repeaters and gear that is used in the ten realms commonly. Phase two is allowing the use of mortars, explosives, the airforce’s bombs, stack and interlocking formations. Phase three is allowing the use of firearms such as the regular machine guns, semi-autos and bolt actions. At this point all of our troops would be free to use all of their abilities. Phase three is allowing the use of enhanced non-direct weaponry such as the artillery cannons and using the conquerer’s armor to double our people’s stats.. Phase four is allowing complete use of abilities, all of our railgun weaponry, as well as our conquer’s armor. To be dialed up to three times our troops base stats.”

“Your recommendation?” Rugrat asked.

“We begin with phase two and escalate as needed. If they learn all of our trump cards then they’re going to wonder where the hell we got it from. It won’t make people run away it will make them want to attack us for our secrets. If we keep on calling out more powerful weapons they have to wonder just what secrets we have. It allows us to lull them into a sense of security then wipe that away with revealing a new weapon. It will be a moral killer.”

Erik looked at Rugrat.

“Are you going or me?” Rugrat asked Erik.

“What do you mean?” Glosil asked, his brows pinching together.

“You need your heavy hitters and we’re the biggest damn hammers you have. Erik will command the first and second special teams I will command the third and fourth special teams. One at Vuzgal, the other at Alva. We won’t be hiding in the rear for this all. Our people need to know that we’re in this fight that they have our support. That we won’t leave them behind,” Rugrat’s words were firm.

Glosil swallowed his words.

“As a commander I’m not pleased, but knowing you two I expect nothing else. As an Alvan I’m proud.”

“You’re gonna make me blush,” Rugrat smiled.

“If I got up there then I can help out the medics and on the front line. If you go up there you can do the same and work on people’s gear to maintain it and create more ammunition and weaponry.” Erik said.

“Though I can do that from here too,” Rugrat said.

“Though you have long range abilities. Your rifle, your spells. I’m up close and personal. I’m no help unless they enter the city. You go, you can help in more ways.”

“You sure?”

“I can stay down here, work on getting people fighting fit. I can create the concoctions needed for the front lines as well. You’re more use on the front lines.” Erik reassured him.

“Alright,” Rugrat looked at Glosil. “Though I would suggest that Erik commands the first and fourth special teams and I get the second and fourth. Roska and her people are up there right now, they know the situation and the first is still deployed with the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“You are the commanders of the special teams I agree with it,” Glosil nodded “Colonel Yui prepare to move your forces to assist Vuzgal in five hours.”

Yui snapped to attention. “Yes sir.”

***

Delilah was standing next to the window of her office looking at Alva. Everything was moving orderly. The economy had all been focused around the military, but it had changed subtly in the last few hours.

A knock came from her door.

“Come in!” She braced herself as the door opened.

Erik walked in.

“I was wondering if there is anything you need me to do?”

She let out a breath, releasing the tension within her body.

“Not right now, Glosil, Yui and the rest of the council have been preparing for this for months. We all know our roles. Right now we just need to carry out our own tasks. Traders are being recalled from across the ten realms to become quarter masters. All of the reserve forces are being mobilized. I’m standing here expecting something to go wrong, reviewing the plans, looking for something that I missed,” She threw up her hands and let them fall.

“The more we plan and train the less that can go wrong, we have to be ready for anything and everything that might go wrong.”

***

Rugrat slapped the front of his vest, making sure it was secure. He breathed, feeling his body press up against the plates. It felt comfortable and familiar.

“You talked to her yet?” Erik grabbed Rugrat’s chest plate, moving it to make sure its secure.

“Yeah, she ain’t pleased, but she understands.”

Erik turned Rugrat, checking his gear. He pulled out the medic pouch, making sure everything was accounted for.

“She never is when we go off,” Erik closed the rip away pouch and attached it back onto Rugrat’s lower back. “All set brother.”

Rugrat turned around to face him.

“Ah shit, feels like the old days,” Rugrat rubbbed his clean shaved face.

“Got the haircut too,” Erik smiled “Look like a proper marine now.”

“Feel like a teenager.”

“’bout as smart as one too.”

“Asshole,” Rugrat held out a hand.

Erik grabbed it and the two men embraced.

“Stay safe brother.” Erik said.

“Ah you know me, fucking hard to kill man.”

The door opened as Momma Rodriguez walked in. The two released one another.

She looked at Rugrat, tucking a few straps away.

“You look after yourself and the others now,” She held it together, focusing on his gear instead of him.

“I will momma,” Rugrat said in a soft voice and leaned down, hugging her.

Her breath caught in her throat as she wrapped her small arms around his neck.

Rugrat held her tighter as he heard her sniffle.

She let out a breath and kissed him, pushing him back.

“Alright, you go now and finish up quickly. When you come back we’ll have your favorites,” She put on a smile even as her eyes were brimming with tears.

“Yes momma,” Rugrat pressed his teeth together. He couldn’t bring himself to say he would be back. What happens is what happens. Rugrat looked at Erik.

Look after her for me brother.

Erik nodded.

Rugrat kissed Momma Rodriguez on the cheek and walked out of his and Erik’s shared office.

He exited the front door to find Gong Jin and the third special team waiting for him.

“Off to Vuzgal we go.”