"…" – Regular Speech
="…"= - Inside Head
{"…"} – Dragonese
["…"] – Translation Collar
*"…"* - Telepathic Speech
#"…"# - Radio/Telephone/PA System Speech
"…" Other Language(Russian, German, French, and ETC)
~"…"~ - Whisper
If you see a mixture of two or more of the above, that means they're using them all at once
Chapter Twenty-Four: Battle PlansCairo, Egyptian Sector, American North Africa; Coalition Verse
Coalition Headquarters
September 24th, 2246/2011 – 1204 Hours
Barnes, Erwin, Harrison, Holland, Jayden, Julie, Manfred, Reaper, Stoick, Spiros, and Valka were all sitting at a table with General Conrad as the Coalition and Allied leaders including Ake and Tullus took their seats at the bigger table in the front of the room while collection of news crews and reporters from various media outlets across the Coalition, WHF, and Isotx Verses were in the back room with cameras trained on the gathered leaders
~"I have never seen so many cameras in one place in my life."~ Holland said as he looked at the press
~"Well you better get used to it."~ Reaper replied
"Is there something you two wish to share?" Rusnak asked Holland and Reaper
"No sir we I just telling the Admiral here he's going have to get used to having so many cameras around him." Reaper replied as Barnes poured hot coffee from the thermostat he had into a cup before drinking it to keep himself awake
"Is everybody here?" Paxton asked APMSF Civil Security Officer
"Everybody is accounted for." The Officer replied after going through a list of the people who were attending the conference
"Alright then, let's begin." Paxton said, "Starting with the new threat posed by the emergent East Roman Air Navy."
"Our Air Navy has gained full control of the situation in Southern Europe, but it has come at a cost as our operations in Northern Europe have been stalled by the deployment of so many of our airships to counter the East Roman attack." Prime Minister Vincent said
"And we won't be able to continue our major operations without the Americans' airships which are completely defenseless against other airships, a situation that we previously thought we would never face." The Israeli President replied, "We're going have to rethink our entire strategy on mainland Europe until the Americans can put out new airships capable of defending themselves."
"Our Air Navy is willing to provide escorts for the Americans' airships, but this will take time as we're going have to pull more airships from deployments in our world to keep their operational availability high." Vincent said, "We are also willing to supply your forces with anti-airship weaponry to help defend your positions in Southern Europe from further East Roman offensives."
"That will be greatly appreciated Prime Minister." Alberta said
"And what will this mean for the liberation of my people from the iron fist of Drago Bludvist?" Ake asked
"Our operations on mainland Scandinavia have been stalled for the foreseeable future by the weather and intense fighting in the mountains, my strategists believe we won't be able to breakout from the current frontline until Spring." Vincent replied, "But the frontline has been stabilized, so there is no threat of a counter-attack pushing us back to the sea."
"Then if it isn't too much to ask, I also like for my new government to receive assistance in raising an army to help liberate our homeland." Ake said
"And what exactly do you want then?" Paxton asked
"I want anything you could give us to have a chance against Drago Bludvist!" Ake replied, "If we let your forces handle the liberation of our people alone it will make my government look weak and incapable of handling a nation!"
"And how will we be sure if you and your people won't turn any weapons we give you against us?" Rusnak asked
"We won't, we just want our nation back, not more war!" Ake replied, "What can you give me?!"
"Our banks can provide you with a blank loan to purchase whatever you need while our militaries can provide advisers for training." Alberta said
"That will be good enough." Ake replied, "But will we be expected to repay this 'loan'?"
"Of course, but not all at once, but in small payments overtime." Paxton said, "The rate however is between you and the banks."
Ake nodded
"And what will happen after Drago is gone, will your forces remain in Scandinavia?" He asked
"Most of them will withdraw after the major fighting is over, but a few will remain to protect the contractors and aid workers who will be helping your people rebuild." Alberta replied
"How much is a few?" Ake asked
"Well if your people can provide the contractors and workers with sufficient protection, we won't need our troops there at all." Rusnak said
"I'm really starting to get the feeling you don't trust us Ake." Paxton replied
"Your damn right I don't trust ye! My people have spent the last few years under the occupation of foreigners and we don't want to exchange the current foreigner for another!" Ake said, "I want the sovereignty of my people guaranteed!"
"Ake, we are not here to conquer you and your people, we want to help them as much as you do, but we need you to trust us!" Rusnak replied
"You want my trust?! As soon as this war ends I want all your forces withdrawn from Scandinavia except for the contractors and aid workers and I will guarantee their protection!" Ake said
"Since you insist on it, our forces will withdraw immediately after the end of all hostilities." Vincent replied
"Can we move onto the next subject now if we're done?" Rusnak asked as Ake sat down
"Alright, what's next to discuss?" Paxton asked
"I think we should discuss our earlier decision to use nuclear weapons to deter further use of the canisters and chemicals by Drago and the East Romans." Alberta said
"Nuclear weapons?!" Tullus exclaimed
"Only against military targets in the event of a chemical, biological, or canister attack." Reaper replied
"And what exactly do you define as a 'military target' if I may ask General Reaper?" Tullus asked
"Airfields, artillery batteries, and bases involved in the production or use of chemical, biological, or nanite attacks." Reaper replied
"What is a nuclear weapon?" Ake asked
"A weapon that we don't want used in our world that's what." Tullus replied
"A nuclear weapon sometimes referred to as a 'nuke' or 'atomic bomb' is an explosive device that uses nuclear reactions to release vast quantities of destructive force. The bigger ones can incinerate a city, but the ones we're talking about using are smaller tactical devices that are more suited to knocking out targets on a battlefield." Reaper said, "However these weapons also release something we call radioactive fallout when they're detonated, which has horrible effects on anybody and anything living in a large radius around ground zero including cancer, birth defects, and other medical conditions which in most cases fatal as well rendering the area almost completely uninhabitable for thousands of years and if enough of these weapons are used worldwide they can cause what we refer to as a 'nuclear winter' where global temperatures drop causing famine and mass extinctions across the world and even the end of civilization as we know it."
"And you want to use these weapons in our world?!" Ake asked
"No, we wish to use the threat of using them to deter the East Romans and Drago from using those canisters as well as any biological or chemical weapons they may have." Rusnak replied, "And as Reaper said it's only going to be small-scale devices only capable of knocking out tactical targets like airfields, launchers, and bases and create less fallout although it is concentrated in a much smaller area."
"I still don't want those weapons placed anywhere near my people!" Tullus said
"Would you rather have Marcus unleash a lab-grown plague on your people without anyway to retaliate instead then?" Reaper asked
"No…but…but, there has to be another way!" Tullus replied, "What about the Shockwave cannon, can't you just put one in orbit over our world and use it to deter him and Drago?!"
"The Shockwave Cannon requires specialized facilities to launch it into orbit, which your world currently doesn't have." Reaper said, "And do you even know how expensive a Shockwave Cannon is to build and deploy?"
"No…" Tullus said
"Then that resolves that." Reaper replied, "They're horrible weapons, but just their sheer existence is enough to scare people like Marcus from using things like Sarin Gas and smallpox, we call this effect deterrence."
"The use of these weapons will only be a last resort your highness." Paxton said
"If they stop Drago from using anymore of those canisters against my people, I'm all for it, although hesitantly." Ake replied while Tullus collapsed into his seat
="What do you know? A Roman who actually has a heart, I almost feel sorry for him."= Ake thought as he watched Tullus as he and the other leaders voted to deploy the nuclear weapons while Tullus abstained
"Moving on." Paxton said, "What's next?"
"I'd like to say something." Vincent said as Tullus straightened himself in his seat while Vincent stood up
"Before I begin, can we please dismiss the press from the room?" He asked and Reaper nodded before ordering the APMSF Civil Security Officer to have his men to remove the reporters and camera crews from the room and after they were done and had closed the doors, Vincent continued
"After the events of the past few days, me and my chief strategists have realized that Marcus has too much resources and manpower to spare and that is something we wish to see fixed and we have come to agreement that the best solution to this problem is to open up a third front against Marcus' forces and there is only one choice for such a front."
"North Africa?" Rusnak asked
"You are correct Mr. Rusnak." Vincent replied, "We have admittedly done our best to ignore North Africa and the problems facing the West Roman forces who are already there which includes incompetent leadership and strategic neglect and for that reason we have decided to send a expeditionary force led by General Schnitter and Admiral Holland to the region to stabilize the situation until we can send a larger force, which is already being assembled as we speak, but before we do I would like to secure the support of this council."
"And what do the West Romans have to say about?" Paxton asked as everybody looked at Tullus
"Me and the Prime Minister discussed this earlier in a private meeting aboard the Jonah and I have given them my blessing." He said
"And what about Vibianus?" Alberta asked
"He will be removed from his position as soon as we arrive and I will be taking command of his forces." Erwin replied, "My forces will be the first to arrive in North Africa, Admiral Holland will arrive later once we have stabilized the situation."
"The state of Israel is more than willing to provide forces for this expedition." The Israeli President said
"It'll take time, but I think we can find some forces to contribute on our end." Alberta said after a quiet discussion with Paxton and Rusnak, "When do you plan on launching this operation?"
"Well as the situation in North Africa is rapidly deteriorating we're going have to go in there sooner rather than later, even if we're not ready to." Erwin replied, "But we're hoping that the East Romans won't be expecting us and so they won't be prepared."
"We could try to slow down the East Romans' advances with airstrikes to give you more time to prepare, but that could also remove the element of surprise from your arrival." Rusnak said
"I think by now my men are used to be suddenly and rapidly deployed." Erwin replied, "My only real concern is getting them and myself ready for desert warfare."
"Well experience is the best teacher, but also the harshest as she gives the test first and the lesson after" Reaper said
"I know because experience has been my mentor for almost the entirety of my career." Erwin replied
"You have proven yourself to be quite adaptable General Schnitter, I think you'll have nothing to worry about." Paxton said, "On the other hand though, once Marcus realizes that we're dedicated to the North African front, he will deploy better equipped and trained forces to fight you."
"And that's what we're counting on." Holland replied, "The whole point of expanding the North African front is to tie down more of Marcus' forces and resources so he has less to dedicate and building more of his airships."
"Speaking of which I think it's time we move onto that subject, what are we going to do about the East Roman Air Navy?" Rusnak asked
"It's simple, we locate and cripple Marcus' capability to keep producing more airships and prevent him from building bigger and better airships." Vincent replied
"You the Isotxians are the most experienced in this matter and Marcus has realized this has he has based these airships off your designs." Tullus said
"But they still lack the experience we have, that was obvious with the airships my fleet engaged at the Barbaric Archipelago as their tactics were extremely sloppy and their crew training was lacking." Holland said, "But time will fix that."
"But moving back to crippling their production, airships require a lot of manpower and resources along with specialized infrastructure to build which is too much to keep too well hidden." Vincent said, "So I'm guessing that the facilities where they are building their airships are in an extremely remote region of the East Roman Empire where we have no eyes or ears watch or listening to them."
"Well there's a lot of extremely remote regions of the East Roman Empire, so that doesn't narrow it down by a whole lot." Reaper replied
"But this is region is also going have to be connected to the rest of their empire as they'll need to be able to transport materials and manpower to this facility and most likely a rail line." Vincent said
"Before the war started, my brother did order construction of a railway to the Urals to use as a supply line for his planned conquests of the lands beyond them although I don't know far it got before this war." Tullus replied
"That's the best possible lead we've had so far." Reaper said
"Well except I wasn't finished as Marcus also started construction of a second railway that would connect Constantinople to the Far Eastern border of the Sassanid Kingdom which he also planned to use to support his future conquests in Far East and construction of that line managed to reach Babylon just before the outbreak of the war." Tullus said
"So, that limits the possible location to Russia and the Middle-East." Reaper replied, "But still a better lead than nothing."
"Well the one supporting an airship construction yard is going to be the one with the most traffic." Vincent said
"The line going to Babylon is likely to be used frequently by trains carrying oil from the oil fields Marcus has there to the oil refineries he has in Europe, so that line is going to be fairly busy and I doubt Marcus is going want to clog up a line carrying the fuel his army needs to keep running or at least that's what he wanting us to think." The Israeli President replied
"No matter, we will scour both lines for any signs of these facilities." Reaper said
"Speaking of airships, how do you plan on protecting the Archipelago from further attacks?" Stoick asked
"Our Air Navy will station a fleet in your archipelago to protect it from any future East Roman attacks as well as placing anti-airship guns on your islands as a second line of defense." Vincent replied
Stoick nodded
"We will also be putting more funding and resources into our efforts to expand our airship fleet." Paxton said, "In fact two days ago I was allowed a 'sneak peek' at one of our upcoming new airships."
"A sneak peek isn't good enough President, we need it on the field." Vincent replied
"Full construction on the lead ship has already started, completion is expected by the end of the year at the most." Paxton said
"So, in the meantime our Air Navy will be the bearing the brunt of the work." Vincent said
"Okay time to move on, we've spent too much time on this subject." Paxton said, "What's next?"
"What of the Dragon Eye?" Valka asked
"The Dragon Eye is continuing to reveal more of its secrets to my men including a highly-detailed map of most of Drago's dragon trapping and hunting operations across the Baltic." Reaper replied
"I already plan on taking full advantage of that intel." Jayden said
"And if I have heard correctly, most of these operations are based out at sea?" Vincent asked
"Indeed so Mr. Prime Minister." Jayden replied
"And before you ask, we are more than willing to share any information we acquire from the Dragon Eye with Isotxian Military Intelligence." Reaper said
"I know a lot of individuals in our Navy will be particularly happy to receive anything you can give them." Vincent replied, "Particularly amongst the ranks of its submarine and commerce raiding divisions."
"Have you found anything regarding the location of Drago's Bewilderbeast?" Paxton asked
"I'm afraid not." Reaper replied, "But we believe we are getting closer to finding it."
"Good because the quicker we take that thing done, the better." Vincent said
"And will Calvin Karlson be ready when you do find it?" Rusnak asked
"Yes." Reaper replied, "Although I think we're extremely capable of taking it down without Calvin's help."
"You're worried about his safety, aren't you?" Paxton asked
"Of course I'm worried for his safety, he's my best friend's only son and he's been through quiet a lot over the course of this war which I'm sure you all now." Reaper replied, "The only thing we really actually need him for is to control the dragons after Drago's Bewilderbeast has been taken down, everything else however can be handled by military firepower."
"Calvin is our last resort for taking down Drago's Bewilderbeast, but his protection needs to be one of our top priorities, especially in the light of recent developments." Paxton said
Reaper nodded
"Calvin will be safe as long as he remains on Berk inside the walls of my sanctuary, but it wouldn't be right keeping him trapped inside those walls defiantly now that's he a father." Valka said
"We know this Mrs. Haddock, but with both our enemies coming after him we need to keep him out of harm's way and who knows what the consequences will be if he's captured!" Alberta replied, "Some of these dragon hunters and trappers are also proving themselves to far more resourceful than we've imagined, particularly Viggo Grimborn who has developed tactics specifically to counter our technological advantage over them and he even managed to get his brother out of the Isotxians' custody although with aid from what we've been told were Eastern Imperial special forces."
"Can any of you say you're really surprised by this? It was inevitable that our presence in this world would attract the Eastern Imperials' attention in one way or another, let's just be lucky the Imperials don't seem to be interested in full-scale intervention." Vincent said
"But what did these Imperials have to gain by freeing Viggo's brother?" Ake asked
"You don't sound too surprised that the Imperials are helping Drago Ake." Reaper replied
"We've known about the Isotxian-Imperial conflict ever since the Isotxians started aiding us and it was inevitable that the Isotxians' presence in this world would bring the Eastern Empire into the fold in one way or another." Ake said, "Although it is highly unfortunate for us that the Imperials have chosen Drago Bludvist to be their proxy."
"They're not using Drago as a proxy, all they want from Drago is weapons and technology that don't want us stealing from Drago and the only way to get their hands on that was by offering Drago aid and once they get all they want from him they'll leave him out to dry." Vincent replied
"But that did they have to gain from freeing Ryker Grimborn?" Ake asked
"Viggo is one of the few dragon hunters who regularly meets his dragon quotas as well as one of the richer ones which has no doubly earned him a comfy position in Drago's inner circle where he has likely learned of many projects that Drago is working on to try to win the war." Reaper replied, "So the Eastern Empire, who wants to get to those projects before the Isotxians do, is going to give Viggo want he wants in exchange for his knowledge of these projects and Viggo also likely knows that the chances of Drago winning the war are next to none so he's going to want somewhere to go where we can't find him."
"Do you think the Eastern Empire is aware of the Conversion Camps?" Paxton asked
"There's no way they can't be aware of them, we use them as propaganda to convince our people that the war in the Viking Verse is one worth fighting." Vincent replied, "But the Eastern Empire is likely hiding the truth from their people as if it gets out they're supporting somebody that turns hundreds of people into dragons every day the Imperials will be facing a major outcry from both their soldiers and people and since the existence of new our post-human division is now public they're likely going to try getting their hands on that technology and as well as dragon DNA which will once again send them in Viggo's direction."
"If that tank Drago deployed during the battle at Scott City was any indication of the quality of Imperial weaponry, attacking Viggo's operations will be a far more dangerous task that we ever imagined." Jayden said, "We might require additional assistance."
"We are more than willing to provide your task force with any assistance it requires." Vincent replied
"So, does this mean we're at war with the Eastern Empire as well?" Tullus asked
"Not exactly, we don't have solid evidence to prove that the Eastern Empire has a presence in Scandinavia even though it's obvious they're there." Reaper replied, "The Eastern Empire is actually playing their 'intervention' quite smart, they're wearing unmarked uniforms and avoiding engagements with non-Isotxian forces to avoid creating a potential flashpoint, but it's a dangerous game they're playing and a confrontation between us and the Eastern Empire is inevitable and the Eastern Empire is going to know this as well and likely has a contingency plan for a full-scale intervention when it happens."
"Then we might have to consider creating a contingency plan of our own so we don't get caught unprepared. Paxton said
"You don't already have one?" Vincent asked, "We've had one since almost the very beginning of our involvement."
"Well the Eastern Empire won't pose much of a threat unless it can bring its airships with it, so the first signs of it escalating its presence in the Viking Verse will likely be an attempt to steal one or more transition drives unless it somehow finds an alternative method of bringing in its' airships." Holland said
"There are no alternative methods to transitioning outside of creating a rift which so far the only way to create a rift is to build a dark energy reactor and let it go unstable enough to explode and a transition drive isn't just something you can plug into an airship and use, it requires a massive amount of energy that can only be generated by the most advanced and powerful nuclear reactors in our world and last time I checked nobody in your world hasn't even managed to build a basic nuclear reactor so I don't see how the Eastern Imperials will get much use from a stolen transition drive even if they got their hands on one." Rusnak replied
"Which is better than the alternative…which we have unfortunately achieved in our world." Emmonds said
"Could it be theoretically possible for a large enough portal device to be built for use by airships?" Holland asked
"Well…yes, but I think we'd notice something that big being built in Scandinavia well in advance." Rusnak replied
"Speaking of transition drives, it is possible that Drago and the East Romans could be trying to develop and build their own transition drives and even possibly ones that require less power to function which they will use to launch potentially devastating attacks on our worlds." Reaper said, "And if Drago is developing them, it is very possible that the Eastern Empire will get hands on them."
"That is indeed a very possible scenario General." Holland replied, "Our enemies know they are weaker than us, so they will not hesitate to resort to such large scale underhanded tactics and a few well-placed strikes at our most valued economic centers will be more than enough to bring any of us to our knees."
"This war is a complex mess." Barnes said
"That it is and the sooner it ends the better." Stoick replied
"I know a lot of you are frustrated with how long this war is lasting, but you have to remember this is the first war of this scale to occur since World War III which was over a hundred years ago, and along with the fact this is the first war of its kind being fought by numerous powers from other dimensions." Paxton said
"And what are you going to do about the refugees the war is creating?" Tullus asked, "I understand there's quite of few of them who wish to stay in this world despite the wishes of some of your people to send them back."
"Well can you blame them for realizing they can have a much better life living here than the ones they were eking out in your world?" Jayden asked
"I agree with General Henderson, we can't force the people who want to stay to go back so you're going have to convince them to come back yourselves." Reaper replied, "And the best way to do that is to improve your standards of living to be equal to what they can have here."
"You talk like that's easy, it took decades for my people just to reach where they are today!" Tullus said
"Your people?! Most of what your people have 'achieved' was done on the backs of hundreds of slave workers including many of my people!" Ake shouted while Tullus sunk back in his chair
~"Not the best choice of words."~ Valka said
"Despite that outburst, I have to agree with the Roman, it will take decades for my people to reach the same standards of living achieved by yours without assistance." Ake said
"Plans are already in place to provide your people and everybody else's with whatever help they need to rebuild and improve your societies." Alberta said, "But we can't put those plans in full motion until hostilities are concluded."
"I don't think our peoples can wait that long." Tullus replied
"I think it's time for a recess." Rusnak said
"I agree, I think the AC in here isn't working very well." Paxton said
"AC?" Ake asked
"Air conditioning." Stoick replied,
"Air conditioning?" Ake asked as the other Coalition leaders got up from their seats while Barnes, Jayden, and the others did the same and walked into the other room
"These conferences are always such a drag…" Barnes said as he collapsed onto a chair while Reaper filled a small paper cup with water from cooler
"They are, but they're necessary to maintain the Coalition and as well as the alliance." He said
"So, what about the Consortium?" Stoick asked Reaper
"We still don't know much about the extent of their presence, but I suspect they're in an extremely weak state which is why they've been maintaining a low profile and using the East Romans as a proxy." He replied, "So I doubt the chances of us running into them during any of our 'normal' operations will be very high, but if we do we're going to need to be prepared for them."
"And how do we go about doing that?" Barnes asked
"The Consortium is likely using weapons and equipment they managed to save from the Clan Wars, so the same tactics we used against them back then will likely still work." Reaper replied, "But I can't be for sure as the only thing we've seen are Death Heads."
"What kind of equipment did the Consortium have?" Jayden asked
"Almost the same stuff we have except worse in some cases and better in others." Reaper replied
"That's…informative." Erwin said and Reaper sighed
"Energy weapons, hover tanks, and railguns." He said, "But they kept most of their best equipment reserved for their elite forces while everybody else more conventional weaponry."
"Hover tanks?!" Stoick asked
"The XHT-52, sacrificing armor for speed and maneuverability. They mainly used it as a reconnaissance vehicle or to harass armor formations during the Clan Wars, which it was extremely good at, but it did have a lot of flaws." Reaper replied
"Like what?" Manfred asked
"The XHT-52, at least initially was only armed with a 90mm gun which was completely inadequate at all but point-blank ranges although they later fitted some of them with 120mms toward the end of the war and secondly, they were absolutely horrible in urban environments where their speed and maneuverability was hampered and they were vulnerable to attacks by shoulder-launched missile and rocket launchers, hell you could even penetrate some parts of it with a .50 cal at close range." Reaper replied
"It sounds like an extremely situational vehicle." Erwin said
"They were, which is why they only built fifty of them and those were all destroyed or lost by the time the war ended…or at least as far as we know." Reaper replied
"What about the ones with the 120mms?" Manfred asked
"They were all destroyed during the Sinai Offensive." Reaper replied, "But one of them was fixed up and put on display in the Smithsonian, which is the only surviving example of a XHT-52 that we know of."
"Was that their only tank?" Erwin asked
"No, their main tank for most of the war was the MBT-43 which was a more conventional design." Reaper replied, "But by the mid-stages they came out with the MBT-54 which was an improved version armed with a 140mm gun and at the end of the war they came out with the MBT-58, although they only built ten of those and only three of those saw combat while the rest were captured and scrapped."
"That you know of." Stoick said
"Yeah…" Reaper replied, "But the only threat will be the MBT-58 as its 155mm gun was one of the first tank guns to utilize electrothermal-chemical technology, which greatly enhanced its penetration capabilities to well within what is now considered contemporary standards."
"Electrothermal what?" Valka asked
"Long definition short, it makes shells fired by that gun hit much harder than they would with a conventional gun." Reaper replied, "All modern tank guns now utilize the same technology."
"While they just bounce off our tanks…nine out of ten times." Erwin said, "Does that mean my tanks, have it?"
"Yes, with the only exceptions being your Yardens as they're too small to handle the additional tech that had to be added for it to work which is why they fitted the ATGMs to them to make up for it." Reaper replied, "But those things aren't even tank killers anyway."
"They're designed for recon and infantry support although they can penetrate the rear armor of a T-95, not so sure about the Testudos though." Erwin said, "Speaking of the Testudos are they based off a Consortium design?"
"The Testudo looks like a cross between the MBT-43,54, and 58 so I think it's probably a design that the Consortium cobbled together from a bunch of spare and leftover parts they had laying around so they had something to give to the Marcus to get him to accept their aid." Reaper replied
"Well for a supposedly 'cobbled' design, the Testudo seems to work fairly well from what we've seen of it so far." Jayden said
"Actually, I've read a few intelligence reports saying that our forces in Southern Europe were reporting that a few of the Testudos they've been encountering were breaking down due to problems with their engines." Julie replied, "But that could also be due to undertrained crews just as much as flaws with the engines."
"Could also just be teething problems as well, but I'm inclined to agree with Reaper." Erwin said, "The Testudo appeared too suddenly from thin air with little to no warning, there is no way the Romans came up with an indigenous design as advanced as the Testudo on their own, defiantly a design that is no way like any of the tanks they've used in the past. All evidence is pointing that this 'Consortium' is indeed supporting the East Roman war machine by providing them with advanced military technology and it's only going to get worst from here."
"You're right, it's only going to get worst from here which is why we need to act quickly." Reaper replied, "But the problem is that the Consortium is now an enemy that works in the shadows and will take every measure they can to keep their operations hidden from our eyes and ears, making it difficult to act against them directly."
"Then how do we hurt them?" Stoick asked
"The hard way, we uncover their operations one by one and take them out." Reaper replied, "There's also an easier way, but it requires the destruction of the East Roman Empire and its war machine which is why I'm suggesting you all focus on your original mission while me and Catherine take care of the Consortium."
"But what if you need help?" Valka asked
"We have your numbers, so we'll call when we need help." Reaper replied, "But me and Catherine won't be able to participate in normal operations as often."
"What about your men?" Stoick asked, "Their presence has been essential in many of our victories."
"The 2nd Legion will be taking over for the 1st Legion, although the Karlsons will be staying as Charles as told me that he and Tesla wishes to stay to protect Calvin and Sheva if anybody tries to attack Berk again including the Consortium." Reaper replied
"Adam has told me he and Katie will be doing the same for Emily and their sons." Barnes said, "I can't say I blame them for being scared because with Calvin being one of our biggest assets, both the Wenskies and the Karlsons are targets."
"It will be difficult for you to manage the 1st Legion without Karlson wouldn't it?" Valka asked Reaper
"Without Catherine yeah it would be, but to tell you the truth and this is not to leave this room, but I'm starting think Karlson is wanting to retire after all this is over." He replied
"With everything he and his family has been through, I can understand why he would want to give it up." Barnes said
"What will his retirement mean for Calvin?" Valka asked
"That all depends on Calvin." Reaper replied, "But I'm not for sure if Karlson is actually going to retire, but I wouldn't be surprised if he does and he has been doing this for over two hundred years after all."
"And so have you." Barnes said
"Well I don't want to retire right now." Reaper replied, "But we're getting off subject…again."
"So you and Catherine are going to hunt the Consortium while we focus on winning the war?" Jayden asked
"That is what I am suggesting Jayden and as I said we'll call you if we find something we need help with." Reaper replied, "I don't want you guys to divide and waste your resources on wild goose chases."
"I think you're doing this because you think we can't handle the Consortium." Valka said
"I have no doubt you guys can handle the Consortium, I just don't want you getting sidetracked on hunting it while Marcus and Drago go on their merry ways of death and destruction." Reaper replied
"As much as we hate to admit it, he's right on this." Barnes said, "As dangerous as the Consortium is, we can't just let Drago and Marcus continue on their warpaths unopposed, defiantly now that we're going have to nukes in play."
"I'll be damned if I see nukes flying through the air in my lifetime." Jayden said
"Are we even sure this 'deterrence' will work against Drago and Marcus?" Stoick asked
"I hope so, I have nightmares of seeing those canisters falling upon our village." Valka said
"I doubt the Consortium will knowingly let Marcus cross the line as it'll risk having their assets being destroyed. Drago will likely be held back by Martin, who has already been struggling in maintaining the morale of his Blackwater forces which a nuclear strike of any size will destroy and without those forces, Drago's entire empire will come crashing down." Reaper replied
"I can't say I'm comfortable with using nuclear weapons in Scandinavia, there would be a lot of collateral damage if one was dropped on a military target near a population center." Jayden replied
"We're not using full-sized nukes, only tactical scale." Reaper said
"And what about the fallout?" Jayden asked
"This isn't the 1940s anymore, we have the technology to clean up nuclear fallout and neutralize radioactive isotopes in soil and water, although the process still does take a long time and is very expensive." Reaper replied, "But it is still preferred that nuclear weapons not be used at all."
"Is there any risk of these weapons being stolen?" Manfred asked
"They can try, but nukes are worthless without the arming and launch codes and the knowhow to arm them." Reaper replied, "If anybody does try to steal them, they're going to be after the radioactive materials inside to use them to make their own nukes."
"I hope these bombs are well-guarded then." Stoick said
"They will be." Reaper replied
"So how long is this recess going to last?" Stoick asked
"Probably an hour." Reaper replied
"Well one things for sure, we're going to have our work cut out for us when we get on track." Barnes said
"You said it." Jayden replied
"So, what's the plan for North Africa?" Barnes asked Erwin
"We'll be going in two waves, me and my corps will be the first wave along with some West Roman forces with the main objective being to remove Vibianus and stabilize the situation before the second wave, led by Admiral Holland and Spiros arrives and hits Tripoli while me and my forces push to link up with them and hopefully trap the main East Roman forces between us." He replied
"Wouldn't it be kind of risky going in without airship support?" Jayden asked
"I never said we'll be going in without airships, but we'll only bring enough to defend our position." Erwin replied, "We'll also be bringing plenty of anti-airships weapons with us as well."
"And how do you plan on removing Vibianus?" Reaper asked, "From what I've heard that man has no intention of giving up his command."
"The West Romans will handle that for us." Erwin replied
"Why do I got the feeling that Casca is involved somewhere in this?" Valka asked
"Who do you think Tullus is going to be sending to get rid of Vibianus?" Reaper replied, "Might as well put his skills to use if he's going to be on our side."
"Oh, trust me we're just as fond of him being involved as you all are." Erwin said, "But we're going to need all the help we can get down there as Africa is a big place with a lot of ground that can't be easily traversed on the ground."
"And for all purposes, North Africa is a perfect environment for hit and run tactics, something which us post-humans are really good at." Manfred said
"Hit and run tactics are good at all, but they're hardly a war-winning tactic on their own." Erwin replied, "But the true strength of the ISDF lies in the mechanized offensive, something which North Africa is also perfect for although our troops aren't used to fighting in desert environments, particularly ones as harsh as the North African desert."
"Well now will be a good time to get used to it." Reaper said
Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Calvin and Echo Squad were patrolling an empty street with a APC and another squad as Abeodan and two other Isotxian post-humans walked with them
"So you're the one who let Ryker escape?" Calvin asked
{"We didn't let him escape, he got away from us."} Abeodan replied
"I know, just pulling your tail." Calvin said, "So what role do you have?"
{"Interpreter."} Abeodan replied, {"I'm efficient in every major language spoken in Isotx, the Empire, and as well as the Chanian Federation."}
"Every one of them?" Calvin asked
{"I strive to be the best at what I do."} Abeodan replied, {"But my best is Mandarin."}
"Why's that?" Calvin asked
{"His mother is Chinese."} One of the Other Isotxian Post-Humans replied
{"Step-mom."} Abeodan replied, {"I'm the only one in the entire unit asides from the Schnitters and Korensky's to have living relatives."
"How did your step-mom end up with your dad?" Calvin asked
{"Now that is a good question."} A Second Isotxian Post-Human asked, {"How did your dad end up with a Chinese woman? I'm guessing there's Chanians involved somewhere."}
{"You'd be correct."} Abeodan replied, {"My dad met her when the destroyer he used to serve on intercepted the Chanian slave ship she was being held on."}
"Shouldn't they have returned her to China?" Calvin asked
{"China is an ally of the Eastern Empire, so they couldn't."} Abeodan replied, {"But normally she would've ended up in a Internment Camp in till she was deemed safe to release, but an exception was made for her because she was pregnant at the time and so my dad took her in and ended up falling in love with her and got married after my brother was born so they wouldn't have to go to a camp."}
"Have they had any kids after that?" Calvin asked
{"Yes, my sister was born a year after they got married."} Abeodan replied
{"Ohhh is she single?"} A Third Isotxian Post-Human asked
{"Last time I checked, but I doubt she's interested in guys who has wings and breaths fire."} Abeodan replied
{"Well that's an easy problem to fix!"} The Third Post-Human said, {"Do you have a picture of her?"}
{"Yes, but I'm not going to show it to you."} Abeodan replied
{"Oh, come on Sarge, open up a little!"} The Second Post-Human said
{"The answer is now."} Abeodan replied
{"Awwww is the big brother protective of his baby sister?"} The First Post-Human said to Abeodan with a baby voice while Calvin smirked
"I really wish I knew what you guys were talking about sometimes." Katrina said
{"Can you at least give us a name?"} The Third Post-Human asked
{"If it makes you shut up, her name is An."} Abeodan replied
"So what do you think of your mom and brother and sister?" Calvin asked
{"I wouldn't be the person I am now without her."} Abeodan replied
{"What does your mom do for a living?"} The Second Post-human asked
{"She opened up a restaurant in the town we live in, very popular place, we've even had a few famous faces come in to eat there."} Abeodan said
"Where do you live?" Calvin asked
{"Centralia, a little bit south of Seattle."} Abeodan replied, {"My dad's family owns one of the largest sawmills in the area, so we're the richest family in town, which is mainly populated by people who work there and at the trainyard, which is where I worked because I found out I wasn't such a big fan of the lumber industry."}
"What do you do there?" Calvin asked
{"I operated a switcher locomotive, moved cars around and putting together consists for trains."} Abeodan replied, {"But I hope one day I'll get to drive a full locomotive."}
"You sound like a fan of trains." Calvin said
Abeodan nodded
{"I've always trains, I used to sit near a crossing outside of town and watch trains pass by."} He said, {"I also love the toy trains as well, ask my parents because I used to cover the living room with my tracks."}
"Well everyman needs a hobby I guess." Calvin said, "The airbase we used to live on isn't too far away from some railroad tracks and we always used to hear the trains going by, even when we couldn't see them."
{"What are the trains like in this world?"} Abeodan asked
"I can't really say much because I honestly didn't spend a whole a lot of time looking at them." Calvin replied, "But there was a time an old steam train stopped by in Scott City that we went to go see."
{"You guys still have running steam locomotives?"} Abeodan asked
"Yeah, I think we saw was restored, Frisco 1522 or something like that." Calvin replied, "Reaper was the one that took us because our parents left us with him while they were gone, he's apparently a big train fan himself."
"Oh, my god…Reaper is a fucking addict when it comes to trains." Hazel said to Calvin, "He would send special forces to save a historic locomotive if it was at risk of being destroyed during the Civil War!"
["Really?"] Abeodan asked
"Yeah really." Katrina said, "But to be fair, he also did the same to protect pieces of our history from being destroyed as well, defiantly in the later stages when the Republicans went completely ape shit and started burning everything so we couldn't have it and those locomotives are part of our history as well although he did defiantly prioritize them. It just goes to show you that Reaper isn't without his flaws."
"So do you Isotxians use steam locomotives?" Hazel asked
["Some of the smaller railroads do because they can't afford to switch to diesel or electric locomotives or just don't want to, but all the major railroads use diesel and or electric although some of them have steam or heritage programs that keep some of their older locomotives operational."] Abeodan replied
"Why are you talking about trains all sudden?" A Stormtrooper asked
"Because they can." Ronnie replied, "It ain't like anything is going on or going to happen."
{"So Abeodan, don't you got a girl back home?"} The Second Isotxian Post-Human asked
{"No."} Abeodan replied, {"I dated a few back in high school, but they all moved away or died in the war and I got called up before I could really start looking."}
{"Do you think getting into this unit has hurt your chances of finding one?"} The Fourth Post-Human asked
{"If it's hurt my chances of getting laid then it's hurt your chances as well because only a mother could love that face."} Abeodan replied
{"Ohhhh you got burned!"} The First Post-Human said
{"Shut up."} The Fourth Post-Human said, {"But fair enough, but I hear you and that one Monstrous Nightmare you were with on Zealand have been getting pretty close, care to share any details?"}
{"What is happening between me and her is a strictly personal matter."} Abeodan replied as Pentrov and Oili landed and joined the patrol
{"How are things going here?"} Pentrov asked Calvin
"Nothing, I think this sector is clear." He replied, "How have you been doing?"
{"The same as you."} Oili said
"Okay we really need to figure something out here, because it annoys the hell out of me not knowing what you guys are saying half the time." Katrina said
"Well you can always turn yourself into a dragon and get the ability to understand dragonese that way." Calvin replied
"Speaking truthfully sir, sometimes we feel we're just slowing you down when you're in dragon form because we weigh down greatly when we're riding on you and when we're on foot we can barely keep up with you when you fly." Don said, "And when you're in Bewilderbeast mode, all we can do is ride on your back and stop people from climbing on you and you being a dragon most of the time makes communication extremely difficult, even when you're wearing a translation collar."
["And also truthfully speaking, Calvin is the not the one you should be complaining to, it should be an engineer or Ward if you want to take the option Calvin offered."] Pentrov said
"Okay I'm all for improved cohesion in the squad, but I'm not sure if I'm willing to be turned into a dragon for it." Hazel said
["Well it's not that bad anymore since we can switch between forms now."] Pentrov replied, ["You could also just request a new squad leader."]
"I'm willing to give it a try." Katrina said, "I mean what's the worst that can happen?"
"We get captured and put under mind control." Hazel said, "And who knows what will happen after that?"
"I will not let that happen." Calvin replied, "It's up to you guys."
"Okay, Abeodan why did you become a dragon?" Hazel asked Abeodan
["Because I was dying a slow painful death when the G-men came and offered me?"] He replied
"In other words, you didn't want to die." Calvin said
["That's one way of putting it."] Abeodan said, ["At least not in the way I was going to."]
"How bad were you wounded?" Hazel asked
["90% percent of my body burned and all limbs and jaw blown off."] Abeodan replied, ["Very definition of hell on Earth, I would rather be like this than that any day."]
"Yeah except being like that makes people want to kill you even more, do you know that your hide is worth a large sum of money if somebody were to take it off you?" A Stormtrooper asked him
["They made us aware of what we were getting into."] Abeodan replied
["They had to offer you some kind of compensation to get you to accept that."] Pentrov said
["Yeah the possibility of retirement with full benefits after the war is over."] The First Post-Human said, ["Although they'll probably want some of us to stay to help train the other divisions they're wanting to do."]
"Okay are there any parts of your bodies that aren't worth anything when your dragons?" Hazel asked
["Absolutely none of them as I've seen."] Pentrov replied, ["We raided a Dragon Hunter market once and they had absolutely everything including dragon meat and stuffed baby dragons on sale."]
["Okay before I got turned into this for the first-time part of me would've admittedly found some of that stuff cool as I was a deer hunter, but now that just sounds morbid as fuck."] The Third Isotxian Post-Human said, ["What did you do with all of it?"]
"Burned it." Calvin replied, "Problem is that destroying it only increases the demand for it, so another market has likely popped up in its place."
"Just like the old ivory market, that shit wiped out the original elephants and rhinos." Katrina said
["I've never seen an elephant, but I do know there is a black market for ivory back home as my dad used to tell stories about them intercepting Chanian smugglers with cargo holds full of elephant tusks and other contraband including silk, jade, etc."] Abeodan replied
["Why are jade and silk contraband?"] Oili asked, ["My mother had a beautiful silk dress that she bought from a trader from the Far-East as well as a jade necklace."]
["They're all from the Eastern Empire."] Abeodan replied, ["Although my dad managed to sneak a couple jade necklaces off from one of the ships he boarded for my mom and sister."]
"So you have banned anything from the Eastern Empire?" Calvin asked
["Yeah."] Abeodan replied, ["Although there are plenty of 'loopholes' you can go through to get it."]
"Like how?" Calvin asked
["Pulling them off Imperials."] The Third Isotxian Post-Human said, ["I have a friend who collects Imperial nesting dolls he finds."]
"Okay all this is making me not want to be turned into a dragon even more because I don't like the idea of being skinned, eaten, or stuffed." Hazel replied
["We won't let that happen."] Pentrov said, ["Why do you think we never leave our dead behind?"]
"Okay we all face danger every day in our lives because our work demands it, what makes any of that any different of what we face every day?" One of the Other Stormtroopers asked, "If I recall correctly Drago has also offered a bounty for our heads but you still go into combat against his guys."
"Well I doubt very many people follow through with that because there's a difference between beheading a human and skinning a dragon." Hazel said, "I mean no offense guys."
["None taken."] Pentrov replied
"It won't make it since if only a few of us does this." Ronnie said
"I'm on board with it." Don said
"If it makes communication easier I'll go through with it because I don't like being out of the loop in a conversation." Katrina replied and Hazel sighed
"Well if you guys are going through with it, I will too because somebody will have to put you guys back together when Ward and her Red Skrills aren't around." She said
"So, then you guys better go talk to Ward when we back to base." Calvin replied as a Mallard flew overhead
Cairo, Egyptian Sector, American North Africa
Coalition Headquarters
Barnes, Erwin, Harrison, Holland, Jayden, Julie, Manfred, Reaper, Stoick, Spiros, and Valka were back at their table as they watched the Coalition leaders discuss and debate various subjects
~"We're out of fucking coffee."~ Barnes said as he watched as the last drop of coffee fell out of the coffee put and into his cup
~"Don't worry I think they're finally about to finish up."~ Reaper replied before elbowing Erwin, who was almost asleep
~"What?"~ He said tiredly as he looked around before looking up at the gathered leaders, ~"Are they really still talking?"~
~"Yep…"~ Spiros said ~"Don't those people know we got a war to win?"~
~"Why are we even still here? Nothing they've talked about has involved us!"~ Valka said
~"Because we have to be here."~ Reaper replied as Jayden rubbed his eyes and then looking at his watch
~"They've been at it for four hours now."~ He said
~"Has it really been that long? I need to get back to my chiefly duties!"~ Stoick said
~"Keep your voice low, you don't want to embarrass yourself on live TV do you?"~ Reaper asked as he motioned back to the press
Stoick grunted
~"I just want to be with Margaret right now."~ Erwin said, ~"What are they even up?"~
~"I believe they went shopping for swim suits so they can go to the beach."~ Reaper said
~"At least they're probably having more fun than we are right now because this is a fucking snore fest."~ Barnes replied
~"I don't think Fishlegs is a much of a swimming person."~ Valka said
~"He wasn't going with them, he was going to hit the library, probably to read up on the Consortium."~ Reaper replied
~"Is there books about them?"~ Stoick asked
~"Countless."~ Reaper replied, ~"They terrorized the world for almost three decades, so of course people are going to write about them."~
Beach
Catherine, Margaret, Samantha, and Sheva were walking together on the beach while Earc and Niamh followed
"This time I've been on a beach in years." Margaret said, "At least one that we aren't defending or attack."
"We need to have an occasional change in pace." Samantha said, "I kind of wish Barnes was here though, I bet he's bored out of his mind right now."
"The conference should be over shortly so they might be joining us soon." Catherine replied, "Where did Hiccup and the others run off too?"
"Who knows? Let them have their fun." Samantha said, "We all need to keep our minds off what happened last night."
"Yeah…" Catherine replied, "It terrifies me that the Consortium has survived after everything Reaper did to destroy them in this world, they're almost fucking cockroaches."
"Must be hard for you Sam, didn't they fund the terrorist attacks that killed your biological and adopted parents?" Margaret asked
"They did…" Samantha replied, "I still remember both those attacks like they were yesterday and the fact that it happened to me twice, I joined the APM because I wanted to kill as many of the bastards I could."
"My parents never talked about the Consortium." Sheva said, "I guess it's because we never brought them up."
"The Consortium is the source of a lot of painful memories for all us Sheva." Catherine said, "And they no doubly have every intention of giving us new ones."
"Not if I can help it." Samantha said, "Me and Barnes have worked too hard to get where we are and I'm not going to let the Consortium tear it all down without a fight!"
"Sam the Consortium is an enemy that operates from the shadows, you'll likely never see them coming if they do come for you." Catherine said
"Well I can try." Samantha replied
"I wonder what the Isotxians are going to do about them?" Margaret asked, "They barely even know what the Consortium is."
"Who knows Margaret." Catherine replied, "But the Isotxians have surprised everybody in what they can pull off, so maybe they can do the same with the Consortium?"
"I hope, I don't want to lose Erwin to them." Margaret said as Earc and Niamh caught up to them
"What are you guys talking about?" Earc asked
"Nothing." Catherine replied, "How are you doing Niamh?"
"Fine." She said
"You should probably be sitting down, there's a shack nearby where you can rent a chair from." Samantha said
"No really I'm fine." Niamh said, "I don't want to spend all my time sitting around."
"Suit yourself." Catherine replied, "I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to go for a swim as I didn't buy this swimsuit just to walk on the beach wearing it."
Catherine took off into the ocean
"You guys go on ahead, we're just going to keep walking." Earc said as he and Niamh continued
"Okay see you later!" Samantha said to them as Sheva and Margaret followed Catherine into the ocean while Samantha followed