Chapter 25 Part 2 of 2 (Patreon)

They passed through a switch back corridor, entering the true bunker, natural light streaming in. There were two people were set back from the thin slits that showed the outside world. They were looking through formation enhanced binoculars at the open ground in front of Vuzgal.

The others rushed to their feet, disturbing their card game.

“Sir,” One man said going pale.

“You’re not going to be alert all the time just watching the fields, we’re on twenty five percent, only need one spotter per section,” Yui said.

“Ah, yes,” The man nodded.

“Those weapons ready?” Yui pointed at the repeaters and FAL style rifles that were loaded and ready behind the firing slits.

“Yes sir, they’re ranged and readied, when given the word we just need to put them in their mounts and we’ll be ready to fire.”

“Good work, make sure you get some sleep and food, can’t be alert all the time. Take this time to get ready,” Yui turned back and left the forward section of the bunker. He passed the supply elevator and moved down the stairs.

“Air exchanging formations are working well and the heat dissipating formations look good in there,” Kenoa said. “One hell of a piece of engineering.”

“Over engineered to hell. Maybe I’m not the paranoid one. Erik and Rugrat worked on the first series of designs updating them all the time.” Elan said.

“Oh I don’t doubt it.”

They went through more corridors before reaching another bunker. The rear section of the bunker was largely similar.

Yui waved the troops hanging out back down.

Yui looked at the ladders that ran up the rear of the room to more rooms.

“There are two armored gunner positions, dual repeaters or machine guns if needed. The lift goes up there so they can get ammunition if they need it. The trap door to the front of the bunker is bigger for the shells,” Kenoa said.

“I haven’t been able to see the new artillery cannons yet.”

They went through another metal door, through a switchback.

“Shit,” Yui said.

“One Forty centimeter, reinforced Earth Iron shield.”

The artillery cannon was just that. An artillery cannon.

“So it’s at the hidden position. So the metal exterior doors have been closed over.”

“So moving to the ready position the exterior doors will open to allow the barrel clearance. Then they will rotate side to side with the artillery cannon, acting as a second shield. The interior shield moved with the barrel protecting the crew from incoming fire that makes it past the exterior doors. The cannon can elevate from zero to forty-five degrees its based on the railgun but with that base charge cartridge.”

“Right, because of its weight, of a hundred and fifty kilograms, the cartridge allows it to gain an initial velocity right into the teeth of the formations along the barrel that increase its velocity. It saves having to have the heat dissipating blocks that are seen on the regular railguns.”

“Still with the same discarding system as the railgun covered in formations. Damn thing is scary as hell,” The two men admired it.

“It certainly sounds like it,” Elan said, bringing them back to reality as the artillery team stood around, not knowing how to react.

“Ah,” Yui coughed. “Good work. We should head over to inspect the other bunkers. There are still the mortar bunkers, command bunkers and supply caches.”

“The whole roof comes off the mortar bunkers, with the mana barrier they’re protected from the air. The Willful Institute will have one hell of a time trying to get close.”

“If they can make it past your airforce.”

“Can’t let you ground pounders take all the glory, about time you saw what we can do. Our shells start at one hundred kilos and go up to one thousand kilos.”

“Well, looks like the valley might be a little remodeled in the near future.”

***

Mistress Mercy’s office was filled with people. While her Uncle was away she still had plenty of people within the Kostic Clan to help plan out the campaign she was put in command of.

“Cousin Niklaus,” Mercy walked up to the scholarly man that was looking at the maps of the beast mountain range.

He turned and bowed to Mercy.

“Cousin Mercy.”

“Have you had progress?” She walked to the table past him.

“The different units have been pulled together. Messengers shall reach the lower realms shortly to incite attacks against the Beast Mountain Range and start to apply pressure. Once we arrive then we will clear up the rest.”

“Very good. The quicker we can complete our mission the better. High Elder Cai Bo is watching. If we can complete this task then our entire clan’s standing will increase.”

“Yes cousin.”

“Tell the commanders to pull it together or else they will have to tell the high Elder why it takes them so long to prepare.” Mercy’s voice dropped into a growl.

“I understand.”

“The clan has recommended you for this position, I hope they were right to do so,” Mercy looked at Niklaus.

Niklaus cupped his hands and bowed. “I endeavor to do my best for the clan and the Institute.”

“Good.” Mercy turned and walked away. I must keep training, with the backing of the clan and the Institute I don’t have time to waste on wars and planning. While it is odd that there is something happening in the first realm, it is the first realm after all. Nothing useful comes from there.

***

“Stand to! Stand to!” The voice rang through the bunker complex as Lieutenant Acosta jumped out of her bed with the rest of her command staff. They pulled on their clothes as they ran into the adjacent communications room.

“Report!” Acosta yelled, pulling on her shirt as she walked into the room.

The night staff were fully awake, talking through communication devices the main wall a projection formation showed the exterior Vuzgal as if they were a great land ship instead of buried more than fifty meters underground.

“Batteries are readying!” The sergeant on watch said as the first linked formation switched from red to green.

“Artillery cannon five ready!”

Another green.

“Mortar bunker three ready!”

Green lights started to appear as the artillery company came alive, standing by, ready and waiting to open their metal shields and rain hell down upon their enemies.

Acosta was pulling on her body armor as she looked at the other bunkers. The machine gun nests were at the ready, locked loaded and their guns mounted. The medical bay was ready and waiting to receive. Reserve and Quick reaction forces were holding ready.

The Airforce had pilots mounted and ready to fly. The whole of Dragon Battalion was alive and buzzing.

In just minutes all of Vuzgal's forces were ready for battle.

"Stand down, stand down, this is a drill. Assess all units and conduct an AAR," Colonel Yui's voice sounded through the defensive Bunker system.

Acosta let out a sigh, looking at her people. Only a few of them like herself were resting.High body cultivation, don't need much sleep.

"AAR in ten minutes, let me get some damn coffee. Call in the company to the briefing room. Then we'll break them down into Squads," Acosta sighed.

People started talking with one another smiling and grinning as the adrenaline bled off.