Hello back once again! In this chapter, we are continuing the story of discovering the planet! Last time we saw each other, Ester and Lena met some inhabitants of Orisia, more precisely Arlan, Harlen and High King Casir. And after some talking to Pina, they had to explain the situation to the three. So we are gonna continue from then. And after that, the little explaining from the other side.
But first, reviews.
To Guest: Now.
So, anyway, let's get this going.
Chapter 26
,,Approaching storm Pt.1"
October 5, 2150
17:59
Kingdoms of West camp, High King tent
"…and here we are."Ester finished.
The three listeners looked at her, still trying to take what they just heard. True, they already heard about these 'Other Worlders', that emerged on Alnus Hill. But everyone were referring to them as 'barbarians', which communicate using only growls and howls and destroying everything in their path. Yet here were two girls, claiming to belong to that group, able to normally talk and not behaving like wild animals.
"So…you come from a world, where you can travel between stars?"Arlan asked.
"In short, yes."Ester said."It's also world, where we have no magic. Everything we have was possible thanks to technology."
"Hard to believe in all of this."Harlen said."But I guess it has to be true."
"And it is."Lena said.
High King Casir stood there, thinking.
"What will you say?"Arlan asked him.
"What can I say?"High King said, turning to four Resistance soldiers."After hearing this, I can only be sorry for how we treated you. But at the same time, I'm sorry for asking you to help us."
There was a short period of silence between Resistance soldiers and the three Orisians in front of them.
"Help you in what?"Jackie asked.
"Well, let us explain the situation now."Arlan said."As you probably know, my brother, Zander, deposed our father and tried to kill me too."
"We're somewhat aware."Ana stated.
"And because of that, we are going around the continent, seeking help in various kingdoms."Harlen said."We already have some of them on our side."
"And our next stop"Arlan said, pointing at Casir"were Kingdoms of West, more precisely, the Kings Summon here, in Vindel Valley."
Four Resistance soldiers nodded.
"What is the point of this Summon?"Lena asked.
"You see."Casir said."Our people are divided between a number of kingdoms, stretching from Great Ocean to Northern Chain, a mountain chain between us and Jarldom of Nordia. Because of that, we often engage in serious wars with each other. This is why every fifty years, we elect a new High King, which have to watch over the Kingdoms of West and solve diplomatic conflicts and wars with as little blood as possible."
"Sounds about right."Ester said."We have the same in our world, with race known as Nakatans. They are divided on clans, tied together by the Great Khan. And on Falmart, there were Warrior Bunnies. And back on our homeworld, in Medieval times, same thing was happening in Ireland."
The three nodded.
"Continuing."Arlan said."We came here to discuss my case with newly elected High King Vladin, Casir's father. But, there was an incident…"
"What incident?"Jackie asked.
The three looked at each other.
"My father was murdered."High King Casir said.
"And because I was the person that was in tent with him, I was deemed responsible."Arlan said, correcting his shawl.
Four Resistance soldiers looked at each other. This seemed to be pretty bad situation for the prince, which basically just lost his country.
"Then how are you still here?"Anastasia asked."Shouldn't you be…well…?"
"Dead?"Arlan ended."Yup. The thing is, I didn't kill him. Someone hit me from behind and I lost senses. When I woke up, King Vladin was laying in front of me, in pool of blood. Two soldiers walked in and well…However, if not Harlen and Imri, I would be a goner."
"Who is Imri?"Ester asked.
As she said that, the tent's entrance opened and another person entered. It was a girl, which could only be described as black-haired beauty. She had blue, almond shaped eyes, pointing at some of Eastern blood flowing in her veins. She was dressed in the things as Arlan, but matched to her smaller body built. She had a bag slung over her arm.
Seeing the group of people in the tent, she stopped in her tracks.
"Sorry."she said."Did I interrupt something?"
"No, not at all."Arlan said.
He walked up to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Allow me to introduce."the prince said."Imri Halmer, one of my dearest friends and the best herbalist in Orisia."
Imri seemed a bit stressed, seeing four women in strange uniforms and corrected her shirt's collar. She also bowed.
"Nice to meet you."she said.
"She's always stressed when she meets new people."Harlen whispered to White Squadron members.
"Understandable."Ester said and turned to Imri."We're also pleased to meet you. I'm Ester, this is Lena and these are Anastasia and Jackie."
"Hello."Lena said.
"Hi."Ana said.
"Sup?"Jackie said.
Imri quickly bowed to them.
"Nice to meet you all."she said and turned to Arlan."I'm sorry to interrupt, but we're running out of herbs needed to make ointments and other medicine."
"After this meeting, we will take care of that immediately."Arlan said."I really am sorry, but can you wait for few more minutes?"
"Sure."Imri said and stood with Arlan.
Exiled prince cleared his throat.
"Where were we?"he asked.
"In the moment, where they"Ester pointed at Harlen and Imri"saved you from execution."
"Oh, right. As I said, they saved my life, as they uncovered the truth about assassination of King Vladin. Imri, can you say?"he turned to his friend.
Girl nodded and said:
"Of course. As me and Harlen were discussing how to help Arlan, we spotted three people in the woods. We managed to surprise and take them prisoner. Harlen made them unconscious and we took them to High King Casir. After the three woke up, I made a truth serum, which they drank and told everything."
"And what was this everything?"Jackie asked.
"That all of this was planned by Blessed Empire of Orisia, a country on the other side of the Krest Mountains."King Casir said."They assassinated my father, to make Kingdoms of West distrust towards each other and make it easier to conquer them."
"I was just there at bad time."Arlan added.
A silence hung in the air was making everyone feel uneasy. The information that was just given to the Resistance soldiers made them think about several things. And one of those things was: there will be a war soon.
"This can only mean one thing."Ester said.
"Yes."King Casir said."There is no doubt about it. Empire is coming and they will soon launch an invasion."
Another round of silence.
"That can't be good."Anastasia said.
"It isn't."Harlen said."This camp holds entire military force of Kingdoms of West."
"How many exactly?"Lena asked.
"66,000 men. From all that, there is 48,000 warriors and rest are simple servants and other non-combat people."Arlan said.
"Ouch."Ester said.
"Do you know, how strong can enemy army be?"Lena asked.
High King just threw up his arms, as did the other three.
"That's the problem. We have no idea. By this whole time, they were focused on taking over their peninsula. How many troops did they had to do it and how many they have left, it stays a mystery for us."Casir said.
"Sucks even more."Jackie said.
"If you say so, then yes."Harlen said."It sucks."
For the third time, deafening silence hung in the tent. They had no idea what to say about that. For Resistance soldiers, this situation seemed like they probably landed in the middle of more big political games. For Arlan, Imri, Harlen and Casir, the situation was even worse, considering, that they were basically on the weaker side of the upcoming conflict, which was inevitable.
"So."Arlan said."What will you say?"
Four Resistance soldiers looked at each other. All of them were thinking the same.
"If that's the situation, then why not?"Ester said, extending her hand to the High King."You will have all the help we can send to you."
Casir looked at her extended hand, before finally grabbing it. Ester shook the hand and looked at the King.
"Before we go, we need one more information."she said."What is the most possible way of enemy attack?"
"Let me show you."Casir said.
He lead them all to the table, on which was laying a giant map of the Kingdoms of West, as well as a small part of the BEO, just before the Krest Mountains. Casir looked at the map and pointed at the point in the mountains.
"We expect them to march through here."he said."The White Pass. The only place, through which you can cross the mountains without climbing on them."
"From what I can see, it's pretty close to this valley."Lena said.
"Yes. It's five hours on foot or three on horseback from here."Arlan said."They Pass itself is pretty wide and allows large armies to march through it without much trouble."
Ester studied the map for few seconds. Both in the North and South, she could see no more such passes, so it Arlan had to be right. Already some plans appeared in her mind. They could simply bomb this army as it was marching. But they did not know, if blasting the Pass from the orbit would be good. As Arlan said, it was the only place, through which you could cross mountains without climbing them. It could be really useful in the future. So no, no orbital bombardment. This action had to be planned point by point.
"Did these soldiers you captured told, when the invasion might begin?"Ester turned to Casir.
"Yest. It has to start in four days."High King said.
"Not much time, but we will come up with a plan for the situation."Lena said.
"They also told us"Harlen added"that the BEO army have to gather there today."
"Okay then."Ester said.
She activated a photo mode in her helmet and quickly took some photos of the map, precisely the area around the White Pass. Next, she sent them to Fatima and Emiko, which were probably worrying about them after not finding them back at their fighters. Not long after it reached them, Ester got call request from Fatima on her hand terminal. She accepted. Worried medic's face appeared on the screen.
"Ester? Are you and Lena okay? Did you get hurt? You need help?"Fatima asked.
"Salt, calm down and allow me to explain."Ester said.
She quickly explained the situation to Fatima. Medic nodded.
"Okay then."she said."I see. What do you need from us then?"
"Well…We want someone to scout the other side of the mountains. Could you and Emiko do it?"Ester asked.
Fatima nodded.
"You can count on us."she replied.
"A…And me too…"Emiko said from beyond the screen.
"I know. Thank you."
With these words, Fatima disconnected. Ester looked at everyone surrounding her in the tent and smiled.
"Well then."White Squadron leader clapped her hands."We can start talking the plan for this."
19:35
Beyond the Krest Mountains, Blessed Empire of Orisia territory
A howling wind was was moving the grass across the vast steppe, which could be seen all around for several kilometers. Everywhere you looked, there was nobody. Simple grassy steppe, with dirt road runnign through it. For in the East, walls of Krest Mountains were visible, looking like little hills from this far.
This was the environment Fatima and Emiko found themselves, observing the vast terrain around them. After getting all information and request from Ester, they jumped into their fighters, flew over the mountains and landed them somewhere far. After that, they took a few kilometer walk towards the road, which they were observing, hidden behind a bigger bunch of grass.
"Saltie?"Emiko asked.
"Yeah?"Fatima replied.
"You think, that we will see something?"
"Well. Ester said, that these information came from captured soldiers, treated with truth serum. If so, then it ought to be true."
"Okay."
They sat in silence for few seconds. Fatima looked at the sky. Sun was slowly approaching the horizon, to hide behind it for the night. And yet still, there was no sight of enemy army.
"I wish Lizzie was here…"Emiko said.
"Don't worry, Emi."Fatima replied, expecting, that this will come up eventually."Liz would be here, but you know her."
"I know."Emiko said with smile."She never backs off, when situation concerns historical and ancient things."
"Don't worry. Once we get back, you will spend a lot of time with her again."Israeli-Lebanese promised.
Emiko smiled in reply. Fatima really liked her. Emiko was quiet, shy and a bit fearful. You didn't have to be some kind of super genius to know, that she joined up only to be close with Liz, which she saw as her only guardian. However, it turned out, that she actually is as talented as the rest of the squadron, when it comes to fighter piloting. Now, she was simply a member of their happy family.
Fatima returned to watching the steppe around. Suddenly, her eyes landed on four dots approaching them from beyond the horizon. One of the dots stopped, while three others continued to move. Fatima activated zoom and saw, that these three dots were people on horses.
First of them was dressed in ornate armor, similar to the ones worn by Greek warriors thousands of years ago. On his head, he had similar helmet. The armor was decorated by golden additions and helmet had large, red crest on top of it. He was riding in the front of the three, probably being the most important one.
On his left, was an elder man, dressed in white gown, with long white beard and bald head. On his hands, he had number of rings and seemed out of place, somehow. Maybe because of the third person.
Third person, the one on the right of the first, was a muscular man dressed in armor similar to the first, but without golden markings. Crest on his helmet was smaller, but similarly ornate. Unlike the first man, the crest was blue. On his back, he had a blue cape and large sword strapped on them.
"Emiko, optic camo up and get down."Fatima ordered.
Emiko nodded and the two activated optical camo, making them invisible. Although their uniforms had the ability to change color and melt with the surrounding area, the optical camo was still useful, when their mission included infiltrating or working right next to the enemies in open field.
As the two quickly ducked down, just in case, the three men stopped just twenty meters away from them. They got off of their horses and stood next to the road, looking in the direction of the mountains. They started speaking in a language similar to Greek, what was helpful, considering, that helmet's translator could translate what the two were hearing.
Fatima activated recorder in her hand terminal. Fortunately, the three were talking loud enough, that the device could hear them, their words additionally augmented by the wind carrying them.
"Prince Alexios."the bald man said."Are you sure, that your father's decision is wise?"
"Of course, Notaros."the man in gold-decorated armor replied, taking off his helmet and showing his long, brown hair."We already took over entire Helladin Peninsula. Now, we need to expand borders of our Empire further, if we really want to be the same as Orisian Empire from 600 years ago. Am I right, general Xoniades?"
Third man took off his helmet, hit his chest with his hand and nodded.
"Of course, my prince."he said."Easterners are all disorganized and savage, constantly warring with each other. And now, without High King, they are easy to take."
"That's what my father says."Alexios said."Imagine this. Easterners from beyond the mountains are the only thing, that stands between us and the rest of Orisia. After them, we take everything, which belongs rightfully to us."
Notaros agreed with a nod.
"Of course, your majesty."he said."This land basically belongs to us already."
"Indeed."Alexios agreed.
He then turned towards the fourth man, which came with them. Next, he made a whistle, which the fourth men repeated and started riding towards the other three.
Immediately, Fatima started feeling the ground shake. But not like earthquake. These shakes were regular and equal. White Squadon's medic slowly lifted her head up to look for the source of these shakes. And when she did, she knew, why these were so regular and equal.
Long line of people started appearing from the same direction the other four came. Fatima couldn't tell, how many of them were there, but their numbers certainly were going into thousands. As they walked past, she noticed both people in armor, as well as simple loincloth. All were armed.
"What do you see?"Emiko asked.
"Army."Fatima replied.
"Big?"
"Yes."
"Should we go and inform Ester and the others?"
"Yes. Now, slowly stand up and let's make our way to the fighters."
Emiko nodded and the two slowly stood up. Next, they started walking towards their fighters. As they walked, they were trying to make as little noise as possible, to not attract the attention of the enemy army. Fortunately, the prince, elder man and the general already left, following their army.
After several minutes of careful walk, they reached the two masked fighters, which they parked in big enough foxhole. They got inside the cockpits and activated the engines. Now, they had to fly on high altitude, do some flybys and take photos of the army, so the computer specialists could analyze them and give exact count on the army.
20:44
Kingdoms of West camp
Ester's group, Arlan, Harlen and King Casir were standing around the table, looking at the photos taken by Fatima and Emiko. They were already analyzed by specialists aboard Ike and their prints were sent back to the planet's surface with a courier dropship, which upon appearing, became the object of interest of many soldiers in the camp and not only.
"So."King Casir said."These 'analysts', as you call them. How many did they count on these 'photos'?"
"In their opinion"Ester said, putting one of the photos down"we have over three hundred thousand enemies against us."
Hearing these, Orisians immediately paled.
"Three hundred…thousand."King Casir said in disbelief.
"How could we possibly fight this many?"Arlan asked.
"Well. We're screwed."Harlen simply stated.
Resistance soldiers looked at the three.
"What about this defeatist tone?"Ester asked."Nothing is lost yet."
"But we have only over forty thousand troops. And not all of them are warriors."High King reasoned."And I'm sure, that their army is made of warriors in one hundred percent."
"High numbers are not everything."Jackie said.
The three looked at six girls around them. For some reason, their tone started irritating them, like this was nothing. They shouldn't be surprised, considering, that they are not from here and probably if they wanted, they could back off from helping them. But they didn't.
"Why are you so calm about it?"Arlan asked."I mean, I heard about you defeating large Saderan armies, but I still don't know how?"
"Simple."Lena said."In our world, numbers are not the only thing, that defy who will win the battle."
"Than what is?"Harlen asked.
Ester showed him three fingers.
"The other things are equipment, training and determination."she said."Well equipped, well trained and determined smaller force can easily defeat even larger enemy."
"Sometimes, only one of these things is needed."Anastasia replied.
Arlan, Harlen and Casir looked at each other. They could be right.
"So, what do you propose?"Arlan asked.
"We will call our commanders and simply ask them to send us some reinforcements."Ester said."Some heavy armor, artillery and more soldiers, as well as air support."
"Wait, really? You mean, that more things like that flying machine?"Harlen asked.
The dropship, that already departed minutes earlier, still had a great impression on them.
"Of course. And even more."Fatima said.
"We really appreciate that."Casir said."But I don't think, that this will be enough to calm down their ambitions."
Everyone continued to think, until a pretty mischievous grin appeared on Ester's face.
"What? Why are you smiling?"Arlan asked.
"I got an idea."White Squadron leader turned to Fatima."You spoke of some prince, which came with this army, right?"
"Yeah."Fatima replied.
"What is your plan?"Harlen asked.
Ester looked in their eyes and replied:
"We're gonna kidnap the prince to demoralize them."
XXX
And the chapter ends. Sorry for it being so short. But I wanted it to be just a simple, calmer chapter, without a lot of fighting and explosions. In the next chapter, however, these tings will be present and it will start with a bang, as Resistance will be capturing enemy prince, so trust me, it's gonna be worth it. And in the chapter after that, we will see the great battle.
So, with these things said, see you in the next chapter of the Orisia Arc! Peace!