Author's Notes: Finally, I'm done with Turn 9. To be honest, I was not able to write for my other fics yet except this as I got too preoccupied with Christmas. The only reason why I was able to write this is because I got inspired with several war films that I happened to watch. By the way, Have a nice happy New Year to all of you!
BTW, I got a lengthy and worthwhile conversation with Robo Reader 21 regarding several things. Some of the things that came out in that conversation will decide the events of future turns especially once the armored convoy arrives. To anyone that knows several important information of ZnT lore, please inform me about those so I won't end up twisting several canon facts by accident.
Also, my other two fics will be updated eventually.
Anyways, here's Turn 9!
========== Turn 9: Preparations ==========
"To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away."
- Confucius
Outside the weapon forges of Rodiz…
0111 Hours…
A carpenter yawned as he took a short break after crafting several hwachas with the help of the other carpenters as the sound of hammers puncturing nails into blocks of wood continue to ring in the middle of the darkness.
It's just a couple of hours passed since Kenneth introduced the hwacha as a new artillery weapon. It's still dark but the carpenters who are involved are still building more of this new artillery along with its ammunition except that the arrows used in the hwacha have a short steel needle-like tip unusual for an arrow. The new artillery itself is quite easy to build as all of its parts are made of wood and no metal. Wood is quite easy to obtain as well since sizable tracts of forests surround Rodiz and almost all towns and cities of Albion. Also since it's made of wood, it is light and very easy to maneuver. The rope used to trigger the gunpowder igniter of the hwacha is also abundant.
The wide-open yard situated just outside the weapon forges is illuminated with lamps to allow the carpenters to work on the new artillery without concerns of not seeing due to the darkness. So far, the carpenters managed to create a total of twenty hwachas after Kenneth introduced it to them. Due to the pronunciation of the new artillery's name, as far as the Albionese are concerned, the hwacha is dubbed as the "Long Arrow Artillery" due to the long arrows that it fires per salvo. In terms of shorthand terminology, it is dubbed as the "LA" for "Long Arrow". Also, the construction of light howitzers has been stopped in order to make way for the new artillery as the villagers set out to cut wood on the large tracts of forests near Rodiz to help in the Long Arrow Artillery's construction. But even then, the light howitzers have been produced in ideal numbers to have an effect on the field of battle.
"Hand me more nails down here!", a carpenter yelled as he punctured the last nail he got on a block of wood with his hammer.
Another carpenter came up to him and handed him a fresh batch of nails ready to be used which he immediately took.
This has been what is going on in Rodiz's weapon forges. To say that weapons made of wood gets a priority is unexpected as steel is always considered as the best material to use in weapons. It appears that some innovation proves that assumption wrong.
On the other side of the yard, more men are busy chopping logs into blocks of wood to be used in the construction. Also, some are making wheels for the arrow artillery pieces so that it only needs to be pieced on newly-built arrow artillery pieces.
"Hey, how many of these do we need to build?", a carpenter asked.
"I don't know", another carpenter said, "Anyways, this is quite cheap for an artillery so we should just better stick with this."
"Yeah", the first carpenter replied as the two of them heaved a slab of wood to be built as an arrow artillery.
Meanwhile, at a large tract of unplanted land in Odense…
0620 Hours…
The men of the Albion Liberation Corps, especially the fresh recruits, are being continuously trained in the arts of both melee and ranged combat. The training is long and hard yet the men don't show any signs of quitting.
In one part of the field, men are practicing in melee combat by jabbing large bins of sack filled of soft clay with their fists while others practice CQC maneuvers and some submission pins like an arm bar and some Russian Sambo holds.
As men practice in these melee combat techniques, another batch of ALC troopers are seen in full combat load out making a run as part of their exercise. The full combat load out of an ALC trooper is comprised of either a rifle, machine gun, sniper rifle, or grenade launcher, dark-green sleeved t-shirt worn under much lighter plate armor compared to the ones worn by Albion Imperial Army soldiers, a medium-sized sling bag capable of holding at least 9 stripper clips of an AC-1 rifle including the scoped variant, 9 grenades for an ACBG-79 grenade launcher, or 4 magazines of an ACRF-40 machine gun, a sheath housing an ACBK-1 knife attached on the trooper's waist, an M68 hand grenade strapped to the waist, and a round steel helmet. As far as uniform is concerned, this is what can be considered as the ALC's standard uniform of their troops. Unlike the Imperial Army's, the uniform of the ALC places an emphasis on camouflage since most of their tactics rely on defense, stealth, and various ambush tactics and strategies rather than brute force, dense battle formations, and head-on attacks typical of Imperial Army military doctrines as well as that of other countries. Also, due to the light weight of the armor, it allows ALC troopers to make sprints and run faster much easier not to mention that it will also allow them to fight in confined spaces like inside the rooms of buildings.
As men pass by on the background, more men are lined up in what can be considered as a shooting range due to the tin cans being shot off their places by men armed with rifles.
"Not bad guys", Michael said as he witnessed the barrage of rifle rounds blew the cans off their places, "Being able to hit a target at 500 meters. You guys are fast learners."
Back on the guys training on melee combat, Henry is busy on supervising their training. So far so good, the men are easily coping out with the drills on proper executions of each move. Their punches and kicks contained real power… not just some flimsy carbon copy of the moves.
"Looking good men", Henry stated, "Keep that up. We need to kick a lot of imp ass in the next week!"
"Yes, commander!", the men shouted in unison.
Back on the shooting grounds, Cecilia is practicing as usual with her shooting skills. It's been quite at least two weeks at best ever since that botched-up attempt on her life back on Rodiz on that fateful night. Right now, she feels good as new now that the wounds that she received during that time no longer hurts… at least.
As Cecilia ejected the now-empty stripper clip of her rifle, several thoughts cloud her mind.
"Mother and Father…", Cecilia thought to herself.
Flashback…
Rodiz (Several years ago)…
1300 Hours…
The sun is high up in the sky casting its rays of light that are hot to everyone's skin. On the village's square, a number of Albion Imperial Army soldiers are on scene accompanied by a noble wearing a far better armor compared to the soldiers. The plain-looking armor-wearing soldiers were busy setting up a gallows for an execution… of several people accused of being rebels while the noble just wait for them to finish. A large black dragon is also in the area and this dragon is the familiar of the noble commanding the soldiers.
After almost half an hour of setting up, the gallows was finally erected. All in all, the gallows that has been set up is capable of hanging several prisoners at once.
"People of Rodiz!", the noble wearing the best armor among the soldiers began, "I, Viscount Owal Ethelred, present you these heathens that dared to rebel against the King blessed by the Founder!"
As the viscount finished his words, the soldiers accompanying him herded the prisoners who are bounded with ropes and blindfolded towards the gallows.
When the viscount was sure that the prisoners have been placed on the gallows with the prisoners' necks on the ropes, he continued to talk.
"To go against the King blessed by the Founder is one of the highest crimes that will warrant death!", the viscount added, "As such, it is my duty to execute these rebels of the kingdom and heathens of the Church."
A young Cecilia is accompanied by William in the crowd watching the execution about to take place. The old man is quiet though anyone that will take the time to get a keen look at him will say that he is completely angry deep inside his mind though nobody seems to give a damn about it.
Tears start to well down from Cecilia's eyes. Two of the people that are to be executed are her parents and this is probably the last time that she'll see them both alive. She lost her grandmother several years ago when she was accused of being a witch with no clear proof at all by the same viscount in front of her under the behest of a higher noble she don't cared to know and the Church didn't give any damn about it. Now, this same man is here to take away her parents under orders from that unknown higher noble again. She has three older brothers who were commoner soldiers of the Imperial Army but… unfortunately; they were all killed in a battle. With all of these things considered, her only family now is her grandfather.
After several minutes, the viscount ordered the execution and the rest is history.
Flashback end
Those painful memories clouded Cecilia's mind but only for several moments. She slammed the fresh stripper clip into her rifle hard showing that she's completely angry at that time since she couldn't do anything to save her parents. However, she now has a chance to exact her revenge. After a few moments, she locked the bolt of her rifle locking the stripper clip in place and resumed firing just a second later. As she fired her first shot, she heard Michael, who was watching her for a while, commented on her shooting proficiency.
"Not bad", Michael said after he whistled, "You have a potential to be a crack shot sniper if you keep that up!"
However, it seems that Cecilia hasn't heard Michael's comments on her. It's probably because she's busy practicing her shooting skills or she's just carried away by those painful memories.
Meanwhile, at a lumber mill in Armaghe…
0910 Hours…
It was a clear day today as four teenagers dressed in typical commoner clothes are seen driving straight to a lumber mill in a cart filled with several logs of wood. The same teenagers are also carrying axes which they used on chopping down wood.
"Geez, why do we have to go up early in the morning and cut wood in the forest?", Joel asked.
"To earn some money of course", Johann replied back, "We're villagers so it's obvious that we need to do this."
"Yeah, yeah, right", Joel said in return, "Anyways, is it just alright that we told the Imperial Army patrol we passed yesterday about those dragons in the swamp?"
"We don't have a choice", Kevin answered, "Those guys are going to see it anyways."
"Yeah", Owell added, "Did you see the look on their faces yesterday when they got back on the city after that? Man, I'll end up laughing if I was not able to control it. Their faces we're too funny!"
Flashback (yesterday)…
At a forest near Dewfiel Swamp…
1600 Hours…
Johann, Owell, Joel, and Kevin are in a cart all carrying axes in their hands with the cart containing several logs which the group chopped. They have been hired by a lumber mill owner in Armaghe to cut down wood on the forest situated on the outskirts of the city which is also near the Dewfiel Swamp. Now, they are heading back.
"Okay… so why are we here again?", Johann asked.
"Well, we're here to earn some money", Owell replied, "We just need to bring these logs back at the lumber mill."
"Quiet down", Kevin said, "With this, we got an excuse that allowed us to scout this area."
"Whatever", Owell said, "Joel, how far are we?"
Joel is busy driving the cart but he still answered.
"I don't know but we've been driving for half an hour already", Joel replied.
"Damn, I think we're lost", Johann said.
"Just shut up", Owell replied, "We just need to follow our tracks to get back."
As Owell finished talking, Joel pulled the reins hard causing the horses to yank back which made the cart go to a stop.
"Hey, Joel what's up?", Johann asked.
"Something's on the swamp", Joel said with his finger pointed towards the swamp.
His other three friends stared at the direction Joel is pointing at and their eyes widened by what they saw.
What they saw are objects that they considered as dragons.
"Shit", Johann said, "There are six black dragons in there. One of them is ridiculously bigger than the other five."
"Yeah, they also got runes", Owell added, "But their runes are all the same white star with a stripe running through it horizontally near their tails."
"But what's those things doing here?", Joel asked.
"We don't know", Kevin replied, "Anyways, let's get away here quietly Joel. Those dragons don't seem to notice us. They aren't moving as well. We need to get out here while our chance isn't out."
Joel slowly reined the horse which, oddly, still remained calm even with six black dragons with white star-shaped runes inscribed into their bodies in front of them. Either way, that allowed him to easily maneuver the horse to have the cart make a complete 180 degree turn. As soon as the cart turned in the desired direction, Joel slowly reined the horse which made the cart move forward slowly. When they got outside hearing range of the dragons or so they thought, Joel whipped the reins hard causing the horse to make a mad dash of a run out of the area.
As soon as the group is far away, all of them breathed deeply as if they were gasping for air.
"Man, that was close", Owell said.
"Yeah, screw up and we're dragon food", Johann remarked.
"Let's just go back to the city", Kevin said, "I don't want to see anything that can eat us."
Joel gripped the reins tightly as the cart speed up faster. Everything that they need to do is finally done. However, as they trudge the unpaved road, they spotted a small band of Imperial Army soldiers and they are heading towards their direction.
The Imperial soldiers saw them as they approached and ordered them to stop. The group complied and the cart went to a full stop. One of the soldiers went to them and asked them.
"Why are you in such a hurry?", the soldier asked.
"Uhm… We saw a bunch of black dragons at the swamp up ahead. We don't want to get eaten so we ran away as fast as we could", Joel answered.
"Dragons?", another soldier stepped forward until he is now beside the first soldier, "I've never heard of that."
"We just saw them a couple of minutes ago", Kevin said, "Why don't you check it yourselves?"
The two soldiers looked at each other seriously before switching their attention back on the group of teenagers on the cart.
"Very well then", the first soldier said, "But what are you people doing here?"
"We've been hired by a lumber mill in Armaghe to cut hardwood. The owner said that he's going to pay us more if we gave him high quality hardwood. We ran into a lot of trouble just to get these logs", Johann explained.
The soldier took a few seconds to look at the group of teenagers in front of him. After that, he dismissed them.
"Alright you people can continue on your way", the soldier said.
Joel then whipped the reins again and the group continued on their way to Armaghe.
Flashback end
"Enough with the talking", Kevin said while Joel reined the horses bringing the cart to a full stop in front of the lumber mill, "We're here."
The four got down from the cart and proceeded to unload the logs. As they were unloading the logs, the lumber mill owner came out.
"Well, it looks that you're finally here", the lumber mill owner said, "How many have you got?"
"We got eight logs all in all and they're all in good condition", Johann said.
The lumber mill owner looked at the logs. After several moments, he looked at the group and made a satisfied face expression.
"Alright… Alright", the lumber mill owner said, "Here's your pay. Be lucky that it's quite big."
"Oh… sweet!", Johann said as he get the bag of money from the lumber mill owner.
The group then bid the lumber mill owner goodbye as they went away ready for the next thing that they'll do for the day.
Meanwhile, at a road near Diewfiel Swamp
1030 Hours…
A large band of Imperial Army soldiers is en route to Armaghe. The group consists of mounted cavalry armed with swords and spears, spearmen on foot, archers, and mages riding on horses and wearing some fancy armor. They also have several 24-pounder short guns with them along with its ammunition stored in the gunpowder carriages with them as well.
As the band is advancing, the leader raised his hand signaling the men to stop.
"Sir, why did we stop?", the leader's second in command asked.
"We need to take a detour", the leader said, "We're near Diewfiel Swamp which is currently infested with six black dragons. We can't take it on with our numbers."
"Where did you hear that sir?", the second in command asked.
"I've received word of this about an hour ago from a messenger", the leader spoke, "It seems that those dragons have been found just yesterday."
"So what are we going to do now?", the second in command asked again.
"We need to make a detour even if that will cost us two more hours", the leader responded.
"Understood, Sir", the second in command said.
After several more moments, the entire band of the Imperial force changed directions in order to avoid the swamp infested with dragons.
Meanwhile, at the Palace of Londonium…
1200 Hours…
Emperor Cromwell is inside the Palace's meeting chamber along with several of his most trusted aides. Right now, they are currently talking about the events pertaining to the rebellion.
"Viscount Fraser is what?", Cromwell asked.
"Your Highness, we received rumors that Viscount Fraser has been killed in combat", the aide said, "The rumors also say that he was shot by a mysterious musket-like weapon from behind and his remains was burned by the rebels."
"That is just a rumor. Why would we believe such a thing?", another aide asked.
"The village of Durhen that the viscount attacked is heavily defended by the rebels. Therefore, we have no means of ascertaining any events that are happening there. As such, rumors are our only means of getting information there", the first aide explained, "Furthermore, the advance teams that we sent in order to retake the rebel-held villages came back in failure."
"But they don't have any mages", a third aide said, "How can they do that?"
The first aide turned with a serious look before replying.
"As I said before", the first aide began, "These rebels have some sort of a musket that some of our soldiers say to be capable of hitting more accurately, faster, and harder. I have no idea how those rebels get their hands on these kinds of weapons."
"Do they have any outside support?", Cromwell asked.
"Very unlikely", the same aide answered, "These rebels suddenly appeared without warning and I doubt Germania or even Gallia has the means to support them since the rebels appeared on the northern part of the country. I also doubt if those two kingdoms will even do this."
Cromwell took the time to think. He can easily buy that Germania has no part in this as their attention is on Tristain at the moment. However, Gallia is a different case. Even with the secret treaty, he knows that Joseph will have no hesitation on suddenly turning against him. Furthermore, the Gallic king's agendas and motives are a complete mystery making him very unpredictable. Regardless, he asked a question.
"What's the overall manpower strength of the rebels?", Cromwell asked.
The second aide answered him.
"Your Highness, the rebels are stated to be at around eight thousand men and their forces are said to be spread thinly on all the villages that they control", the second aide explained, "So, if we launched a good-sized division of our military forces, we can mop them up in a one by one basis."
"But that will take several weeks before an armed force of that size can be mobilized and arrive on the battle zone", the third aide interjected.
"I know that", the second aide said in return, "But I cannot think of any other way to get at these rebels."
The group continued to discuss more matters about this rebellion. From how things go, this won't be a short meeting.
Meanwhile, inside a bar just a couple of clicks away from a military fort in Armaghe…
1630 Hours…
People are busy walking to and fro on the streets busy minding their own businesses. From among this sea of people, four young teenagers are busy doing some observations while they spend their time on a bar.
"Okay, this is the last fort in this city", Johann said as he peered through the window overlooking a large military fort just a couple of blocks away from the bar they are in, "We better relay all of the locations of the military forts and other important places in this city."
"Yeah", Joel said, "But how many are they?"
"There are seven of them here all in all arranged in a ring formation", Kevin said.
"Anyways, let's get back to our room", Owell said, "I don't want to get us here spotted just because we stayed too long."
The group then made their way out by of the bar and blending in with the crowd of people as they walk away.
Meanwhiel, on the yard outside the weapon forges of Rodiz…
1720 Hours…
Mark is seen inspecting the Kenneth and the carpenters crafting more of the Line Arrow artillery pieces. The construction efforts are proceeding well. Raw materials such as wood are constantly coming in preventing a halt to the construction efforts. After several more minutes, Mark went away and towards a building. Inside, several men and women are busy sewing a large piece of blue cloth. Mark approached them.
"How far did you get with the flag?", Mark asked.
"We're almost done, general", a man said, "Take a look."
Mark inspected the large piece of blue cloth. It has one large white star with six tips on the top left corner with three stripes just near the bottom of the flag. It also applies to the other side as well.
"Nice work", Mark stated, "Continue with that, I want at least ten of these flags ready on the beginning of the next week. The siege of Armaghe will strike at that time."
"Yes, General", the man said as he continued to work with the others who also greeted Mark with respect.
The first offensive operation of the ALC will take place on the next week after more intel reports have been received and completely analyzed. Nobody is going to stopping this operation.
-TURN 9 END-
PS: The siege of Armaghe will commence on the next chapter. Think of this as a filler chapter at least. Trust me; the siege would be completely unexpected. Stay tuned.
Also about the flag of the ALC, just look for the Flag of Aurelia in Ace Combat Wikia. That is how the flag will look like except that it has three thin white horizontal stripes on the bottom.