Time to continue Italica! Battle is already ongoing and it doesn't look good for the Militiamen. And of course, it's up to our protagonists to enter the action and stop the city from being plundered.

So, let's begin.

Chapter 8

,,Italica Pt.2: Ride of the Valkyries"

July 10, 2150

03:37

Alnus Field

Sound of dropship and fighter engines was filling the airport. Machines from Nashini, Humans, Shakayans and Chakdrik were gathered there alike, preparing to move out when the order was given. Pilots were already sitting in the cockpits, while Marines were currently being given briefing by Jessica, Uki'Oparla and Magar.

"Okay, people."Jessica started."We have a situation."

"Third Recon Team was asked by representative of Italica, Pina Co Lada…"In that moment, some Human Marines chuckled."I know, I know. Anyway. She asked them to help defend the city and bring the peace back to the area."

"This is why captain Eriksson ordered us to help them out."Magar said.

Jessica then looked at the squad of soldiers in redder uniforms and body armor standing on the edge of the group.

"Major Park."she said to the group's leader."I want your Martian Shock Troopers to lead the charge."

Major of Martian Republic Shock Troopers saluted and nodded.

"We have our dropships ready to move out."Park replied

"We also have radio, speakers and music for the action!"lower rank Shock Trooper added.
"Great news, private!"Park said to him.

Uki'Oparla and Magar nodded too.

"Great. So Martians are going to be the vanguard."Uki'Oparla said.

"Marines will join them, once first dropships touchdown."Magar added."We need to be fast. Their modified Warden Is are the fastest, after all."

"In any case, that will be it for the briefing."Jessica said."Move your asses, people! Battle won't win itself!"

"Oorah!"Human Marines and Shock Troopers said.

"Fight forever!"Nashini exclaimed.

"Honor, fight, duty!"Shakayans shouted.

"Matriarch glory!"Chakdrik joined them.

Soldiers then turned around and started getting into dropships, preparing to take off and armored personnel carriers and armored cars were loaded into some of them. When this was done, Jessica entered one of Martian dropships.

"Colonel Richards?"Park asked.
"What? You really thought I would miss the whole fun?"Jessica asked."Okay, we can go!"

"On it!"Martian pilot replied.

Soon, all twenty dropships and ten fighters lifted up, turning in the direction of Italica. On the horizon, sun already started to rise.

03:49

Italica

Pina continued to watch the situation literally breaking apart, as more and more bandits started pouring into the city through the opened gate. Her eyes once more wandered towards the lifeless body of Norma laying on the ground. She tightened her fists, feeling her helplessness. Laughs of bandits continued to reach her ears, as Militiamen after Militiamen fell on the ground in pool of blood. Even Other Worlders support couldn't fire into the city, because it would cause civilian casualties.

"What should we do?!"panicked Hamilton asked.

"I…I don't know…"Pina replied, feeling tears in her eyes.

At the same time, on the Southern Gate, members of Third Recon Team were witnesses of a really awkward scene.

"No! No!"Rory continued to exclaim."No…If this continue like that…I will lose my mind!"

Everyone on the wall was sending confused looks to each other, especially the squad's aliens. For them, it was the strangest sight in their entire lives.

"What is going on with her?"Ester asked.
"Souls of fallen soldiers reach Emloy through her body."Lelei replied."It works on her like aphrodisiac."

"Wait. You mean that she is…"Jackie wanted to ask, but just couldn't bring herself to say it.

Soldiers looked at the demigoddess again. It could be noticed, that members of White Squadron started to get red on their faces, as they had their visors hidden. Except Suvi, which had a lustful smile on her face.

"Nice."Suvi said.

"I could expect you say something like that…"Liz whined.

Dora turned to Lelei:

"It doesn't look good. Can we help her somehow?"

"She just have to fight."young mage replied.

"Any news from the Eastern Gate?"Ester asked Kelf.

"None."Shakayan replied, checking ammo status in his heavy machine gun.

White Squadron leader looked at the glow of fires at the Eastern Gate and gritted her teeth.

"We need to quickly think something up."she stated.

Battle at Eastern Gate was now getting into bad turn, as now, bandits decided to let their strongest soldier into the fight. Two meter tall man, wearing iron mask and armed in morning star attached to it's handle with chain was now wreaking havoc among the Militiamen.

"Where are the Other Worlders!"one of Militiamen shouted, as he was mowed by the morning star.

"We need to fall…!"another exclaimed, as morning star reached him.

"If it continue like that, they will break through the bulwark."messenger said to Pina."You need to order evacuation!"

"If my Knights were here…"was the only thing Pina said.

Knowing that waiting won't help, Ester called Dora to herself. White Squadron second-in-command approached her long time friend.

"Dora, I want you to stay with Rory."Ester ordered.
"And what about us?"Jor asked.

Girl looked looked at Nashini Fighter Infantry soldier and said:
"We waited for too long."

Nashini nodded, knowing, what they were going to do now.

Dora knelt next to Rory and put her hand on demigoddess' arm.

"Just keep a little more."Dora said.

In response, Rory put her hand on Dora's shoulder. She slowly started to stand up, supporting herself on her axe.

And before anyone could notice, she simply rushed forward and jumped off the wall. Next, she started running towards the Eastern Gate on the roofs, leaving Resistance soldiers in complete awe.

"Where did she got that +10 to speed stat?"Yuko asked.

"Who cares!"Ester exclaimed, running towards the stairs."Follow her! Move!"

Soldiers followed her and started getting inside the cars and APC. Sound of wheels soon filled the Southern Gate's bulwark, as three vehicles started making their way through the city's streets. They quickly caught up with Rory.
"I wonder if she would overtake one of these new Fast Cruisers."Lena said in radio.

"Who knows?"Ester replied.

But then, Lena's voice was replaced with a new, male one. A voice having a strong Martian accent.

"This is major Park Chong-yun of Martian Shock Troopers."the voice said."We were ordered to support you in Italica."

"This is major Barkhorn!"Ester exclaimed into the radio."Enemy is storming the Eastern Gate! I repeat, the Eastern Gate!"

"Copy that."Park replied."Mark the target with flare for us."

"Understood!"Ester replied and ended the call.

Liz looked at her.

"So, Martians are entering the fight, huh?"she asked.
"Seems like Martian Republic really is keen on seeing a true fight!"Ester replied.

"Woo-hoo! Go Mars!"Suvi added.

Five kilometers away from Italica, squadron of Martian Warden Is continued it's flight towards the besieged city. Their shadows were covering the ground and engines were filling the air with loud buzzing. Everyone who looked up would have it's jaw drop, seeing the Martian units. Their silhouettes were easily seen on the sun's background.

"ETA to the target is five minutes."Warden I pilot said.
"Understood."Jessica replied."Seems like we're gonna join the fight soon enough!"

"According to reports, fighting already continues beyond the Eastern Gate."Park replied."All units, battle formation! Let's show them Martian might!"

Dropships then started to fly into formation of wedge. UNSA Skyhawks, Nashini Crawlers, Chakdrik Howlers and Shakayan Grazers dropships set up behind them.
"Let the music go!"Park said.

"But put on something hard sounding! Not that cliché one!"Jessica pointed out.

Martian private nodded and started looking through his list of Martian and Earth music, both classic and new. He smiled, as he picked the song which, according to him, was perfect for the situation.

"What will you say about this?"private asked and let the music through the speakers attached to the dropship.

"Nice."Jessica stated."What song it is?"

"Escape the Fate-One for the Money."private replied.

Jessica and Park smiled, but quickly returned to their formal selves. Smokes over Italica were already visible and only this was needed to know, that situation is critical as hell. Soldiers quickly started checking their weapons and joking, to lighten up the mood.

"Iron Giant 1 and 2. Get ready to engage."Park ordered.

"On it."Iron Giant 1 replied.

Two dropships forced their way to the front of line and pilots checked their guns and missiles.

"Everything green."Iron Giant 2 said.

"Good."Iron Giant 1 smiled.

Soon, the bandits would have a really nasty surprise.

Back in Italica, Third Recon continued their chase after Rory. Ester turned to Dora, sitting in back of the Land Rover.

"Dora."Ester started."Better take off your helmet."

"Why?"Dora asked.

"Because last time you got into a melee fight, your helmet was smashed on enemy's face."Liz reminded.
"I needed something to beat him up! And all my blades stayed on Ike!"Dora replied.

"Anyway, better let's mark the target."Ester said.

She took a flare gun from behind her belt and aimed it into the air. Soon, high power flare was flying up and erupted with yellow light.

Rory, in the meantime, already reached the Eastern Gate and jumped off the roof, landing in the middle of bulwark. Both bandits and Militiamen stood silent, seeing the her. Especially bandits were shocked, seeing Apostle of Emloy here and now, in front of them.

But for the giant bandit, she was just another pest to eliminate. He approached her from behind and tried to hit her with his morning star, Rory quickly evaded him and grabbed his head with her axe. Before bandit orientated, he was flying and crashed into the wall. Nobody was able to say anything or find any comment for what just happened.

A sudden explosion at the gate quickly shook them out of this trance. Outside the walls, Iron Giant 1 and 2 were already blowing the bandit up with their energy guns and missiles. Bandits tried to run for their lives, but giant iron beasts weren't letting them go easily.

"Iron Giant 1 to all units."Iron Giant 1 said."Allied units inside the walls. Fire at everything that is outside."

"Copy that."Park replied."Show them, boys and girls!"

Rest of dropships opened their side doors, letting soldiers to aim down and rain fire at the bandits. Terrified men were running for their lives, but Marines and Shock Troopers were simply ripping them all apart.

On the wall, two bandits approached the ballista.

"Quick, give me your spear!"first bandit said.

"Enemy AA position on the wall."Iron Giant 1 said."Iron Giant 2, take care of it."

"Understood, sir."Iron Giant 2 replied.

Dropship flew over the wall and turned around it's axis, to face the ballista upfront. Before bandits knew, they were fed with two missiles.

"Kill confirmed."Jessica said."Great job!"

"Thanks, col."Iron Giant 2 said.

Meanwhile, Marines and Shock Troopers started sliding down the ropes from dropships and joining the battle on the ground. Seeing enemy soldiers appearing in front of them, bandits tried to charge, but were immediately cut down by.

"Excellent command. Excellent observation. Excellent preparation."Jessica said, firing at bandits in front of her."This is what defies all of Human militaries!"

"Hallelujah!"Park agreed.

Iron Giant 1 unleashed a salvo of missiles, decimating a group of running bandits. One of their bowman tried to shot him down with an arrow, but was instead introduced to 20mm energy machine gun, as blue laser literally burned upper half of his body down.

Inside the walls, Ester, Liz, Suvi and Dora stopped Land Rover and started getting out. They reached their belts.

"Bayonet on weapon!"Ester ordered.

Dora, unlike everyone, took one of her knives from under her jacket and attached her favorite: a dagger made of Tertan Obsidian, one of strongest minerals in the Galaxy. Next, she gave a scream and charged at the enemy.

"Hell, really?"Liz asked.

"Just cover her!"Ester ordered and the three followed Dora.

At the bulwark, Rory already started slashing bandits left and right, not even lettign them to get close to her. One bandit after another was literally thrown away, as she was pinning around with her axe pulled.

"Testudo!"bandits commander said.

Soon, bandits covered themselves with shields and stood in the famous formation. But it also didn't stopped Rory. She simply took a big swing and smashed the formation into pieces. She was then surrounded by eight enemies, which tried to stab her with spears.

But as they did it, she jumped up and landed on the joint arrowheads of spears, much to bandits shock. Apostle then impaled one of them at her axe and used him as weapons, throwing other bandits around. She didn't noticed a bandit approaching her from behind, though.

It was at this moment, when Dora joined the action. She stabbed the bandit with bayonet and additionally fired several bullets into him. Another bandit tried to charge her, but as a CQC expert in White Squadron, she moved out of the way and gave him two bullets in the back. Next, she jumped up and kicked another bandit. Another bandit tried to slash her, but Dora defended herself, using her riffle like a sword and parried his attack.

It was at this moment, when the weapons folding bends didn't withstood it and simply fell off.

"Scheise."she cursed.

Bandits, in the meantime, again formed testudo.

"Fall back!"their leader shouted from the walls."Fall back and regroup!"

However, at this moment, Dora grabbed a grenade, loaded it into her riffles grenade launcher and fired at them. Explosion threw them around. Girl then changed on the pistol and started firing again. Bullets easily pierced shields and bandits were falling dead again.

Rory then smashed another enemy with her axe. Dora then turned around and fired at bandit trying to attack Rory from behind. Rory, in response, dealt with enemy approaching Dora from behind. The two looked at each other and smiled, showing to each other how much they enjoyed doing this.

"They aren't observing what happens around them."Liz said.
"So give them cover fire."Ester said.

Suvi and Liz nodded. They started firing at every enemy, which tried to run behind Dora or Rory.

From the top of the walls, bandits leader watched as his army literally falls into pieces. Just how could this happen? Plan was ideal! Everything was going according to it. And then, came these two and started slaying his men around, while on the outside, these iron dragons were slaughtering rest of his army.

He then hear buzzing sound behind him. He turned around and widened his eyes, as he saw Chakdrik dropship hovering in front of him. Machine fired missiles, throwing the leader off the walls straight on…

"Ouch!"Suvi said."That had to hurt."

Rory looked up at the body of bandit leader impaled on her axe. She looked at him with neutral face, even as his blood dropped on her face.

"I disagree with this…"the leader said."It can't be called a war. Don't you agree, Apostle of Emloy?"Only response was Rory neutral face."Respond, Apostle!"

Leader got his response in form of Rory slamming him into the ground, cutting him in half. Bandits looked at this in complete shock.

"Hm. I bet command would be satisfied, if that bastard Kotch died the same way."Ester said, bringing the name of Holy Order Navy commander.

"The leader…"one of bandits said in shock.

"Don't panic!"another bandit shouted.

Bandits started again forming to perform another attack. Ester could only just bit her lip.

"Recon Three, this is Iron Giant 1."Martian pilot said."In ten seconds, we will start eliminating enemies behind the gate. Evacuate immediately. I'm repeat, you have ten seconds."

"Copy that, Iron Giant 1."Ester replied.

Soon, Martian Warden I dropship flew over their heads and hovered over. Pilot started counting down.
"Ten. Nine. Eight…"

Ester, Liz and Suvi looked at each other. They quickly ran towards Dora and Rory. Liz grabbed Rory, bride-style, while Suvi and Ester had to drag Dora away, as she tried to resist.

"Let me go, I want to finish them!"she exclaimed.

"If you stay here, you will die!"Suvi exclaimed.

"…Three. Two. One. Zero."Iron Giant 1 ended."Opening fire."

Bulwark was filled with sound of lasers flying out of Warden I's barrels. Bandits were being cut in half, as high energy matter melted through their bodies and shields. Pilot additionally used his remaining missiles, throwing clouds of dust into the air. Martian pilot watched with satisfaction, as his over sixty year old machine was making enemy cry and scream in fear, as they were simply blown from the face of the planet.

Pilot finally stated it was enough and took his finger off the trigger. Dust slowly started to settle, showing what remained off the bandits. And boy, how little it was.

Meanwhile, Pina, which was still watching this whole carnage taking place, in complete shock watched these Other Worlders decimating thousands of bandits in matter of seconds. She didn't wanted to admit it in the first place, but now she had to: Empire woke up enemy far more powerful than anything before.

"It's a monster…"Hamilton said, looking at Martian machine.

Dropship pilot then started turning his spacecraft around and faced both princess and Hamilton. Because it didn't had windows, just outside cameras, the two didn't saw two pilots saluting and flying away with their machine.
"What we did to deserve something like this?"Pina asked.

Meanwhile, Jessica, Park, Uki'Oparla, Magar and their soldiers from the outside entered the gate, while dorpships transporting the ground vehicles touched down to unload their cargo. Colonels and major smiled, seeing how their soldiers now start to take care of the situation.
"Secure the ones, that are surrendering."Park ordered."Treat the wounded and if needed, give them some bio-gel."

Jessica grabbed her radio.

"Captain Eriksson, this is Richards."she said."All enemy troops taken care of, over."

"Great job, colonel."Eriksson replied on the other side."I owe you a beer after you come back."

"No need, sir. I already have one from Park."

Meanwhile, members of the Third Recon Team watched as Marines and Martian Shock Troopers take care of the enemy remnants and wounded Militiamen. Ester sighed and smiled.

"Well. I think it's over."she stated.

Liz was then approached by a group of Italica citizens.

"Thank you."one of them said."You saved our city. But can you tell us, what army do you serve in?"

Liz smiled and replied proudly:

"We're the Resistance."

Pina just watched this casual conversation taking place. She was close enough, so she could hear Liz's reply.

"Resistance…"she thought."Name used to call insignificant groups, fighting guerilla warfare. Yet they have power to annihilate entire armies…"

Marines and Shock Troopers then started moving the prisoners out of the city, where they made zone to contain them. It was guarded by several APCs and armored cars. Bandits simply watched these iron wagons and soldiers manning them.

Battle of Italica was over.

Five hours later…

When the sun finally risen and was now shining from the sky, Resistance soldiers started helping the local populace in clearing the signs of the battle. Chakdrik were the most helpful, as they could pick up even large parts of the wall, which couldn't be moved by normal Human.

Pina, Hamilton and Grey could only watch the wagon carrying Norma's body driving away.
"It's over."Hamilton said.

"Yeah. We won."Grey agreed.

But Pina just shook her head and tightened her fists.

"No."she said."We didn't. I was victory achieved by Apostle and Resistance. Not us."

She looked at the two other Knights.

"And Resistance is our enemy, occupying Holy Hill of Alnus. Wanting to save Italica…didn't I brought a more terrifying power?"she asked herself, remembering dropship and Resistance soldiers decimating the bandits."These iron dragons and powerful mages…killed bandits in a blink of an eye…I can't even imagine what would happen, if they would use this power against Italica. Citizens would happily accept them, as we didn't even been able to protect one of Empire's most crucial cities."

"Princess, you're not serious, right?"Hamilton asked.

"Are you sure?"Pina replied."They saved the city. Not us. If they would demand our capitulation, I would have no other option, but to surrender…and kiss their feet."

Right then, Knights were approached by one of these giant ants that served in Resistance army. It was another question, which roomed in their heads. How did Resistance managed to integrate these races and cooperate with them so easily.

"I'm sorry to interrupt"the ant said with feminine sounding voice"but colonels, Oparla, Magar, Richards and major Park would like to meet you in countess' mansion."

Knights looked at the creature in front of them for a minute. Pina finally nodded and followed her.

Later…

Clan Formal mansion

Upon reaching the mansion, Pina could notice, that something actually changed. Instead of Militiamen, only Resistance soldiers were now guarding the mansion. Princess bit her lip. Something was telling her, that the situation is slipping out of her hands.

Later, everything was talked through. Pina somehow could feel more calm, seeing the Human woman, which was in charge of this joint, inter-race force. After few minutes, everything was written down and both sides signed Treaty of Italica, which provided the rights for Resistance to travel through the lands controlled by Clan Formal.

"We thank you for saving Italica"Hamilton read"and we would like to talk about your reward. Paragraph two, which says about the safety of delegations and their spending will be looked through in connection with Imperial Protocol. Paragraph three, which says about common rights to control Alnus Hill, is also compatible with Protocol."

Knight then rolled the scroll and looked at Resistance leaders.

"But we would like to let you know, that prisoners belongs to us."she pointed out.

Lelei, which was acting as translator in these negotiations, turned to major Park. After Marian said what she had to say, mage translated:

"We know, that you need workforce to rebuild the city. But we want you to treat the prisoners humanely. That's what he said."

"Hu…manely?"Hamilton asked, a bit confused.

"With respect, like you treat your friends or family members."Lelei translated.

Hearing this, Hamilton tightened grip on the scroll.

"Would friends or family members attack your city, plundering and killing the inhabitants?!"she asked.

"These are their conditions."Lelei said.

Hamilton just sighed and again looked at the scroll.

"It's all we need to state in case of prisoners."she said."Only thing that left, is pulling back forces and the length of treaty."

"We agree on everything."Jessica said.

Hamilton looked at Pina. Princess nodded.

"But before we go"Uki'Oparla said"we would like to tell about something we talked with the countess, before we sent someone to call you."

"What would that be?"Pina asked.

Right then, countess turned to her and replied with full confidence:

"Colonel Richards proposed to leave small garrison in case of another attack. I accepted that offer and Resistance troops can stay in the city."

Princess looked at countess with surprise. However, she knew, that it was justified. Battle was over and Saderan reinforcements were not even bothering to arrive. Bozes and rest of her Knights were far away too. This was actually the best option, if more bandits would appear.

"I…I can't argue with that."Pina said.

"In that case, the talks are over."Hamilton said.

Few minutes later, Pina was standing in the corridor with Grey. Elder Knight noticed expression on her face.

"How it went?"he asked.

"They took some prisoners and want, that we will take care of safety and spending of every delegation. And to dismiss all trade taxes in Italica."Pina replied.

"This doesn't seem like much to ask for, when you are a winner."Grey stated."Will they occupy the city?"
"No. They are going to withdraw, but they decided to keep a small garrison here. They talked about it earlier with the countess, before I came to the mansion."princess explained."She agreed, as she stated, that they provide better defense for the city."

Grey risen his eyebrow.

"So it looks like they didn't got much."he stated."Other armies would demand gold or any other form of payment. Here, only countess got something from it."

"Forcing them to pull out of these conditions would need magnificent diplomatic abilities."Pina stated.

Without saying any more words, princess simply walked away, leaving a bit confused Grey in the corridor.

Meanwhile, on the former battlefield, which was the East Gate, Resistance soldiers were loading the prisoners into the dropships, APCs and cars. City inhabitants watched this operation with interest, as they never seen such machines.

"That was pretty energetic night."Yuko stated.

"You're the one to say it?"Dora asked."You didn't even moved form the Southern Gate."

"Yeah, sniper support could be good then."Liz backed her up.

Japanese just rolled her eyes at these comments.

"But you made it through, right?"she asked."This shows, that you didn't needed our help at all!"

"Well, I had to do much of the job by myself."Dora said."And with help of Rory."
"Anyway, I need to say. I never seen better battle than this!"Lean cheered.
"Yeah, good to be the victorious at least once."Ester agreed."Now, we just need to wait before girls trade these scales and we can get out of here."

With her words, Third Recon walked back to their vehicles. They moved out half an hour later, after the trade was over and Tuka, Rory and Lelei came back with money for scales and information Resistance wanted to have.

Tessalia Trade Route

Vehicles of Thrid Recon were making their way back to Alnus. Tuka, Rory and Lelei fell asleep, as they actually didn't slept for the last few hours and night. Everyone in Land Rover tried to act as quiet as the could to not wake them up.

"I'm so tired, Liz."Ester whined.

"I know that feeling."Liz replied."It was hard as hell!"

"Yeah, even Holies aren't as vicious as these bandits."Fatima agreed.

"I think I need a shower once we return."Suvi stated.

Others just let out a small chuckle. Suvi simply threw up her arms and returned to looking at the landscape around. But suddenly, Liz again floored the brake, making Ester hit the desktop with her face and Lelei falling of the bench in the back of the car.

"Liz, what was that?"Dora asked.

"Yeah, that hurts."Ester said."My poor nose…"

"I see smoke in front of us!"Liz replied.

Ester sighed and activated zoom mode in her visor, preparing to see another group of bandits attacking something. However, instead of that, she saw a group of men and women on horses, speeding down the road.

"Wait a minute…"she said."I can see some horsemen and women. And…they all wear armor similar to those of princess in Italica."

"Could it be more of her Knights?"Suvi asked.

"I think so."Ester replied.

She then zoomed more.

"I can see two women in front. One blonde and second white haired."

"Well. So probably we need to prepare for unfriendly situation."Dora stated, checking her magazine.

Group of Knights then reached the vehicles and were now standing in front of them, looking.

"Wait, Do."Ester said."They don't show any hostile intentions. Besides, it would violate the treaty."

"Whatever you say."Dora agreed.

Meanwhile, the wait-haired Knight rode her horse in front of the other Knights and looked at Liz. British quickly gulped and smiled, trying to show, that has no bad intentions.

"Where are you coming from?"she asked.
"We're going back from Italica."Liz replied.

"Where are you going?"

Liz looked at Ester, unsure what to say. White Squadron leader just nodded, telling Liz to answer that question.

"To Alnus…"Liz said, but didn't ended.

Knight pulled her sword and pointed it at her face. Other Knights lowered their spears, while in Fennek and Catcher, gunners started to prepare their weapons for a possible confrontation. Bozes, in the meantime, approached Liz and grabbed her by collar.

"So you are Other Worlders too!"she stated.

Ester, seeing the situation escalating, quickly came out of the Land Rover and came up to the argument site.

"Excuse me."she said."Did my subordinate said something wrong?"

She was stopped by Panache, which now pointed her sword at her face. Ester had her visor turned off, so this sword had straight way to her face.

"Surrender now!"Panache demanded.

"Just don't get too crazy…"Ester said."We can do it peacefully…"

"Silence!"Bozes shouted and slapped Ester's face.

This was too much for Dora. She grabbed her riffle and exited the Land Rover, to quickly aid Ester.

"By the name of Emperor Molt…"Bozes started.

"Flashbang!"Dora exclaimed.

Suddenly, there was a blinding light and Bozes, as well as Panache, lost the sight of what was happening. Bozes then felt someone pulling her off the horse and throwing on the ground. Next, she felt someones knee piercing into her back.

When she regained her vision, she saw a ginger-haired girl kneeling on her with something pointed at her head.

"One wrong move and her head will fly away!"Dora shouted at the Knights.

"Don't move!"Panache ordered.

Ester and other Resistance soldiers looked at this situation. It seemed as the tables have turned and now, the ones which tried to capture, were the captured ones.

"Well. Why don't we just go to Italica and talk about this situation?"she asked.

Bozes just looked up at the girl in front of her. She was about to catch one of enemy commanders and bring glory to her name. And now, here she was, laying on the ground, becoming prisoner herself. Could this situation be any worse?

Soon, column was formed, with Land Rover in the front, followed by Fennek, Knights were in the middle and Cather closed the column. They slowly made her way back to Italica.

XXX

Well then. Another chapter done and with it, Italica. Bozes is now in a bit of trouble, as Resistance actually took her prisoner. You probably already guessed, how the future chapter will start. Pina is gonna be real mad, when she hears about what Bozes tried to do.

Before we end, as always, trivia:

Warden I-dropship produced by Deimos Spacecraft Industries for Martian Republic Armed Forces. It's the most powerful dropship in Human service and although the design of this vehicle already have sixty years, Martians still use it as it's primary dropship. It'd armed with energy rotary cannon and seven missiles on each wing.

MV-02 Crawler (Nash.: MV-02 Dasers)-Nashini dropship produced by Nashini National Military Factories. Due to it's weak armor and low armament, machine often fell victim to heavy machine gun fire and since the war started, Nashini Marine Corp lost around seven thousand such machines, mainly due to light ground fire. Additionally, it also had small armament, in form of only one machine gun in front and second in the back.

Howler (Chak.: Jexer )-Chakdrik dropship, produced by Chakdrik Space Factories. Since it's introduction in 2122, this dropship found it's way into numerous smaller and bigger galactic armies. It's praised for the speed and maneuverability. It's armed with one three barrel laser gun and can carry twelve missiles maximally.

Gazer-9 (Shak.: Magrer-9)-Shakayan dropship, produced by Shakayan Royal Spacecraft Engineering Company. Originally designed for Shakayan police forces, dropship found it's way into the military after tests. Machine can withstand major demage, as it was designed with survivability of crew in mind. It's main armament are two machine guns in front, two 50mm guns on it's wing and eight missiles.

Now, for those interested:

Fight forever!-In Nashini: Na'va seker!

Honor, fight, duty!-In Shakayan: Klaga, nlaga, orda!

Matriarch glory!-In Chakdrik: Takarax novi!

When we have this out of the way, I can say see you in another chapter!