His Majesty's Sleiphnir was a smoother ride than Tapio remembered Drekkar mechs being. It was faster as well. The six, massive legs moved in such unison that the body of the walker barely tilted with each step. What you were left with was a steady thrum with each of its massive steps.

Tapio expected the ship to sail into the sea and down the coast, but it instead followed the coastline and marched along the countryside. Instead, he caught glimpses of the distant horizon out over the sea. He could even see a distant steamship, a Skuldelev class vessel, making its way along the horizon line.

The crewmen were hard at work onboard the Sleipnir. Wearing dark blue uniforms with matching sailors caps, they matched the navies of their fellow nations. Unlike their naval sailors, however, Nordic crewmen were also armed like army soldiers. They wore the same combat boots as the land army, and had leather webbing with ammunition pouches aplenty. Instead of a large sword, Tapio could spy shorter daggers at their sides. However the biggest change seemed to be how almost every crewman had a holster for a semi automatic pistol. Tapio also began to notice those without a submachine gun instead had small tool belts on them.

Tapio assumed that you never knew what would happen in war, so they probably outfitted as many crewmen for multiple jobs as they could. Tapio did not remember witnessing a Drekkar ship being defeated during the war, but he heard stories about how horrific it was. The looming beasts buckling under an onslaught, and their great bodies smashing into the battlefield. It is said their crews roared a fearsome battle cry, and charged the enemy to avenge their fallen ship.

However, Tapio felt safer onboard one of these massive walkers. Especially towards the end of the war, Drekkar ships were never felled. Their cannons rivaled those of Saxony's mighty Erlkonig artillery and they could often outmaneuver those. They spent most of their time looming behind the lines, providing long range support for the frontline troops and mechs.

Now they were well on their way. And at full speed, the Nordic Kingdom was quickly passing by them. Tapio had never been to the town of Byskaard, but Oscar assured him it wasn't too far away.

Tapio eyed the oil fields as they passed. Massive hammers raising and falling in a toxic rhythm as they pumped oil up from deep underneath the surface. Tapio knew these were Rusviet's targets. In this modern age of mechs and industry, oil quickly became the lifeblood of Europa. Nations survived or were annexed based solely on their access, or lack thereof, to this resource.

The Nordic Kingdom dominated this resource. The massive oil pumps were practically landmarks by now. Massive hammers intricately carved rose and fell to the beat. The liquid gold was expertly barreled and loaded onto wagons and ships and whatever else they could use to transport it. Even Saxony had traveled to distant lands to control their oil supply instead of dealing with the Nordic Kingdoms. The King's choice to go neutral hurt both sides in the war, but his leniency to the needs of Clan Albion and the Frankish Armies easily kept them going against Saxony's forces.

"Tapio?"

Tapio was broken from his own thoughts. He turned to see Oscar approaching. He held a bowl of food in his hand, it steamed slightly against the open air. He offered it to Tapio, who accepted it graciously.

"The Captain said we should be in Byskaard by morning," said Oscar, "I think we are going to make it."

"Let us hope so, or this whole trip will be for nothing," said Tapio.

Oscar waited for Tapio to take a few bites before asking, "So what do you think this meeting is about?"

Tapio shot Oscar wide eyes, "You do not know?"

"Well, judging by the Rusviets I am assuming war?" Oscar leaned against the railing and stared out to the horizon, "But in the end, I am just a messenger. I had one assignment and I have completed it."

"Well. The summons was vague," said Tapio.

"Why you?" asked Oscar, "A Sergeant out in the middle of nowhere?"

"It was not nowhere," said Tapio, "But as to why me, I cannot say. I assume it has something to do with Chief Skarsgard. In the summons he... it is on his behalf."

"Yeah, what is all that about?" asked Oscar.

"It is private," said Tapio, "But I was of great use to my Chief back home, to the North. During the war, the Chief, then the heir, fought alongside me. I... owed him, I suppose he would say."

"Skarsgard? What were you doing so far South as Södomuonio?"

"Home," said Tapio, "Or my new home. It was... quiet."

Tapio turned away from Oscar, "So what do you hope for? War?"

Oscar sighed, "I... don't know. A war would be a good thing for me. Wartime salary. Opportunity to rise in the ranks. Maybe I could even get a position on an airship."

"Sounds rather... glamorous?"

"Possibly," said Oscar, "But I thought this war was over with. I may be young, but I remember what it was like for people. I was hoping for a longer period of peace before fools started wars with each other again."

"That is the thing about fools," said Tapio, "They never differ."

Oscar shrugged, turning to head back below decks, "Well, we should probably get some sleep. It'll make the trip seem faster. Also depending on how the meeting goes it may be our last chance at it."

"Fine," agreed Tapio, but he returned to his position staring into the horizon.

Tapio did not sleep well, so he was already on the deck when Oscar stepped out to see their approach. The Sleiphnir had given off three short blasts of its horn to signal its approach. Oscar stood next to Tapio, and marveled at the sight in front of him.

Byskaard was no Hammakko, being made up of only a handful of buildings, two houses, and another handful of old-styled huts. It sat alone in the expanse of a tundra. During the spring and summer, perhaps these fields were good for farming. But now, with winter approaching, they sat empty and bare of plant life.

But they were not empty. Standing as titans in the expanse next to Byskaard were seven Drekkar walkers, with sprawling camps set up beneath them and behind them. Two more Drekkar ships slowly walked at the very edge of view, they appeared to be guarding the perimeter.

Below the Drekkar, still, were sights rarely seen. A row of Four Knarr armored Transports lined a short pathway. The bulky mechs were slow moving, and relied on caterpillar treads for their movement. Their long bodies were ideal for holding many infantrymen and their massive armored front protected those inside. However the front could open, splitting into three pieces providing cover for a fire team to cover the departing troops, who could exit en-mass through the front. Secured in that armor was an automatic machine gun, which could continue to fire and clear the way for troops the entire time.

Many lines of Jotunar walkers could also be seen, and in many locations they walked around holding crates or pallets of barrels to and from locations. A row of them looked different, and were painted with runes. Both hands of the mechs were replaced with spiked ball ends like dual maces. Both arms also had small cannons, instead of just the single arm.

There were also soldiers. Spreading out from each of these groups were rows and rows of tents and hastily assembled sheet metal buildings. Flags flew from short poles denoting regions, battalions, and even individual tribes. And soldiers walked, gathered, and marched in formation around them all. Clad in the blueish grey of Nordic Soldiers.

An airship also loomed over the whole encampment. It didn't appear to be a military one, however it still had a few machine gun emplacements on it. Off the side the flag of his Majesty, the King, flew, looming over the whole encampment.

Even as Tapio watched Oscar gawk, wide eyes and grinning wildly, the sights did not stop. A buzzing noise drifted across the air, and soon a small group of figures were rising above the crowds, and started flying quickly towards the Sleiphnir.

Oscar tightened, and his smile disappeared, but he did not run. They watched as the figures' features came more apparent. They were people. Three of them, flying on some form of contraption. It appeared to be a large backpack with two large rotors lifting them off the ground. These carried the pilots through the air, as they controlled them with joysticks for each hand. They also each had a machine gun hanging by their feet, aiming ahead with their controls.

The figures picked up speed and height, before streaking overhead the Sleipnir. They skillfully flew around the ship, breaking formation. Tapio thought it looked like they were checking out the ship, but he wondered why a Drekkar would be unrecognizable to Nordic Troops.

Oscar looked amazed again, "Are those, skybikes?"

"What? No," said Tapio, "I am unsure what they are, but if I had to take a guess... I've heard rumors."

"Rumors?" asked Oscar.

"While the Usonians did not enter the war themselves, they did sell weapons throughout Europa. The skybike was one of those. However, it was an expensive cost for our King, especially when we were not in the war officially. The design for the skybike was altered to a cheaper to produce model."

"So what is it?" asked Oscar, watching the figures again fly past overhead and back towards the encampment.

"There were rumors on the front," said Tapio, "That they needed light people for the testing of the new model. Most of the men and boys were on the front, defending the King's land. So... they got women to test them out. By the time they got the design right, the only ones trained enough to make use of them were women. They began to be called 'Valkyries', women saviors who flew in and supported the Nordic soldiers before disappearing into the sky. With their mighty spears, they could damage mechs and airships."

"They are amazing," said Oscar.

"I am sure they aren't all women now," said Tapio, "Technology is forever changing. However I would not doubt for a moment women still make up a large amount of their numbers. There is no second for veterancy."

"What am I looking at?" said Oscar.

"An army," said Tapio, "This is a staging area. Did you not see this when you set out for me?"

"No, I took over for another messenger," said Oscar, "I was already out on a delivery."

"Well, that's where we are going," said Tapio.

He pointed to a large, two story tall structure that stretched out. It looked like it was one of the traditional longhouses, but made of metal and having windows. It also appeared that a radio tower was poking out of the top of it.

The Sleipnir didn't get as close as some of the other mechs. Another few moments it turned sideways to Byskaard and began to lower. The six legs began to break up over the deck of the ship. Crewmen began to organize, and direct passengers below decks. Tapio and Oscar returned to their shared quarters with the other passengers and collected their small amount of belongings.

Before long, Tapio's trunk was on a platform with other luggage and supplies being lowered down by a winch which Tapio and Oscar were climbing down a secured rope ladder. When they reached the bottom, they secured Tapio's trunk and began walking into the camp.

A large musk ox trailing a carriage came up the heavily used, muddy road to where the Sleipnir had stopped. A driver above the carriage stood and scanned the crowd disembarking from the ship.

The man put his hands to his mouth and yelled, "I am looking for Sergeant Virtanen! Private Pederson!"

Tapio lifted his hand as Oscar turned around to tell, "Here!"

They had walked past it so quickly they were nearly missed. The driver turned, and then tapped on the carriage. Out of the carriage stepped a soldier in full uniform, including helmet. He appraised the two before approaching.

"Sergeant Oran Kristiansen," introduced the man, "The Captain radioed ahead. I have been sent to collect you."

Tapio stepped forward and shook the man's gloved hand. He was a large man. Underneath his helmet a light brown beard stretched down to his chest. Tapio tried to get a sense for his eye color, but he just missed it in all the commotion. The helmet hid his features well.

In a moment, the trunk was loaded on the back and all three men were loaded into the carriage.

"I was hoping they would send around an automobile," said Oscar.

"In these conditions? The roads are too bad," huffed Oran, "And time is of the essence. I need to get you to your quarters and prepare for the meeting."

"Meeting?" asked Tapio, "Sir, I am afraid my summons was rather vague. Do you know why I am here?"

"It is my understanding you are the council of Chief Skarsgard, sir. Each of the represented chiefs were allowed two. I am myself, a council to Chief Hennie of tribe Munk."

"A Sergeant? Council?" questioned Tapio.

"I am afraid it will all be explained in due time," said Oran, "Sadly, the time is not now. As you can see, there is a war going on."

"Is that official?" asked Tapio over Oscar's gasp.

"It practically is," said Oran, "Although I know very little. Rusviet's overrunning border outposts. Drekkar being gathered and deployed as if it were wartime. There are even delegates in Anslo City."

"Delegates?"

"From around Europa," said Oran, "I hear they are from Albion, Crimea, even Saxony."

"Is it going to be all out war again?"

"Not that I know," said Oran, "But my suspicion is we will learn soon."

By this time they had made good time into the encampment. Oran peered out the window of the carriage, and he seemed to be deep in concentration. With a moment's notice, he knocked hard on the door of the carriage. The carriage slowed, before stopping.

"Sergeant Virtanen, this is you," he said, opening the carriage, "You have fifteen minutes. See the tent with the flag there? You are staying two up from that. Same row. Drop off your things. Rest. Whatever you need. Be at the longhouse in fifteen minutes. There is no telling when the meeting will start, but you must be close at hand."

"Do I get a tent?" asked Oscar as Tapio climbed over him to step out.

"Sadly, you must give your report at the longhouse," said Oran, who leaned out the carriage, "Be swift, Sergeant. The wind changes."

Tapio easily retrieved his trunk from the back, and began his trek out to the tent. Oran gave a curt wave. Soon the carriage was moving again, and Tapio was left on his own, once more. Surrounded by soldiers and the cacophony of war preparations. He sighed deeply.

For not being a soldier, he was feeling right at home again.