Alright everyone, I'm back with the second half of the Fall of Tellanos. I hope ya'll enjoy it!
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING OR ANYONE IN THE SPYRO UNIVERSE. ONLY MY OCS.
Chapter 22: Hearts of Iron Part 2
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-88-8-8-8-8_*_*_*_**_*-8-8-8-8-8-8-8_*_**_**_8-8-8-8-8
(Union City, on the northwest border of the Federation of Tellanos and the Kingdom of Syllia)
Bertram saw smoke rising from the distance, haloing the Grand Union Bridge in a cloud of smoke that swirled around its support columns. The Federation side of the city was already in ruins and the Syllian side was being bombarded by artillery on a ridge five miles away from the front line.
Union City had been founded in 1919 and with the completion of the bridge in 1921, Tellanos and Syllia were finally allies. This bridge served as the only crossing point along the Katherine River, the longest, widest, and deepest river on the continent. From the snatches he was hearing on the radio, the surviving units of the 11th, 13th, and 103rd Federal Armies were using the ruins of Union City West for sniper positions against the encroaching Rotiart Army.
The once proud Federation Army was in shambles. It's Armored Corps reduced to a few light tanks barely numbering one hundred and some medium tanks on loan from Syllia. Syllian Artillery near Union City East fired volley after volley at the incoming enemy but made no sizable dent in them. The remnants of the Federal Air Force, in conjunction with the Syllian RAF were making notable strikes but nothing permanent. As he reached the outskirts of UCE, Bertram keyed his radio.
"This is Major Bertram de Launces of the Launces First Air Wing, callsign 'Paladin'. Does anybody on the ground read me?"
The response was instant.
"This is Colonel-General Dimitri Rosenkov, damn glad to hear your voice Major! I am what is left of what passes for a commander around here! I'm up to my neck in Rotarian forces and the damn traffic on the bridge is backed up worse than a Callinian sewer. I've got four objectives for you. First, assist the remnants of the 11th Heavy Infantry as they're under attack from enemy light bombers. Second, we've got fighter-bombers attacking our units bogged down on the bridge, most of them are wounded and civilians trying to evacuate. Make them think twice about another strafing run. Next, we've got people crossing the river by boat and they need protection from both gunboats and aircraft. Lastly, we've got a mixed assortment of tanks that are closing on the 103rd. They're down to thirty percent combat capacity and are hardly making a dent in them. If they fall, UCW will be blown wide open for attack."
"Paladin copies. Alright, we'll need to split up. D Wing, engage the tanks closing on the 103rd. B Wing, engage the light bombers harrassing the 11th. C Wing, protect those boats crossing the river. A Wing will take care of the aircraft over the bridge. Alright, everybody, break formation! All planes have permission to engage any and all hostiles."
The wing acknowledged the order and dispersed, heading for their zones and objectives. Bertram pushed the throttle of his plane to full power and gazed up into the clouds above the bridge. In the clouds he saw the glimmer of black and silver and nodded.
"Attention A Wing, enemy planes above, they're heading for the bridge!" As he said this, one of the recruits who had joined his wing in Sanijo spoke up.
"Paladin, this is Mystic, I've identified them as Rotiart F13s, twin engine fighters! They lightly armored around the fuselage, fueltanks, and engines. Recommend we focus our attacks at those weak spots." Bertram was impressed that the recruits obviously payed so much attention in aircraft identification classes and keyed the radio.
"Alright, all planes, aim for their fuel tanks to give the people on the ground something to cheer about, otherwise aim for the engines, they won't get far without them."
Bertram brought his plane up and angled the lead F13 in the crosshairs. Judgeing his distance, he squeezed the trigger and felt the dual cannons firing. His rounds impacted the aircraft's starboard engine and set it alight. As the engine seized, the plane dropped away and the formation scattered in panic.
"Everyone on them! Don't let them escape!"
Despite it not being as well armed as the its Syllian counterpart, the Tellanian interceptor was still a wonderful plane to fly. Its maneuverability and speed allowed him to appear where he was least expected and of the few F13s that turned to fight, none could match his Wing.
To his right, he saw one of the new recruits, a kid named Lee, strafe an F13 across the cockpit and then shoot the tail off another in one pass. Another recruit that he recognized as Mystic raked the fuselage of another F13 and watched it explode in a brilliant burst of flame. Looking around, he spotted more fighters closing and turned to engage.
_*_*_*_**_-8-8-8-8-8-8-8_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-8-*_*_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-8
(D Wing)
Douglas Leere adjusted the throttle of his attack plane as he angled the nose towards the enemy front. He gazed at the heading and nodded, then turned to his copilot.
"Okay Tom, our first mission with the First Air Wing. Ready to show the Rotarians how we do things in Laevatain?" His copilot, his cousin Tomas Roarke,smiled and nodded.
"As always." He reached over and flipped the switch to the gun station.
"Hey Arnold! We're coming up on an enemy tank, let'em have it!"
"Copy that, firing the big gun."
The plane jerked violently as the 75mm gun in the nose recoiled and both pilot and copilot found themselves adjusting their headsets as the report of the gun all but deafened the crew inside. Someone crowed thar it was a direct hit but no one could hear properly for several seconds. Douglas growled as his ears stopped ringing.
"Note to self: kick whoever's ass who decided to put a cannon in the nose of a high speed aircraft." Tom grimaced and then tapped Douglas on the shoulder.
"This plane was designed by James de Launces you know? The Major's father?"
"So maybe I won't kick his ass as much as I will write a strongly worded letter. Anyway, we've got bombs right? Let's use them."
"Copy that. Switching power to bomb bay doors."
"Tail gunner here, we've got bandits, six o'clock high!" Douglas swore.
"Fuck me..."
_*_*_*_*_*_*-88-8-8-8-*_*_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-88
(C Wing)
Lieutenant Cutter and his group were flying low and watching the boats, packed with wounded soldiers and civilians. The boats were so heavily loaded they were nearly swamped as they moved slowly through the waves. A low buzzing got his attention and he gazed west and saw several old Federation biplanes flying in low to assist in guarding the boats. He heard his tail gunner humming a tune and immediately he recognized it as the old song 'Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines'.
"Watched a few air shows growing up eh, Jerry?" The gunner laughed.
"Guilty as charged. I spent my fondest days watching the Launces Home Wing and later the Aerocorps practice over Launces. My father owned a field in the outskirts of the city that had been salted during the Federation War and was no longer fertile. The Aerocorps used it as an emergency landing field and eventually bought it to become the Launces National Airfield."
Cutter chuckled and then heard the radio pipe up.
"Looks like A and D Wings have engaged the enemy. Keep a weather eye open for anything odd...hold it."
In the distance, Cutter could see several fast boats approaching and then he saw the small arms on the evacuation boats start firing at the incoming vessels.
"As the Praetorians say, 'Tally ho!' Enemy attack boats incoming! C Wing engage!"
Cutter aimed his plane at the incoming boats and flipped the switch to arm the rockets under the wings. As the crosshairs landed over a boat he flipped another switch which launched the corresponding rocket. The explosive weapon flew from the wing and impacted the boat, splintering it.
At that same time, a great cheer rose up from the civilians on the boats as more of C Wing used their rockets on the incoming boats. A moment later, a loud screaming was heard and their cheers turned into cries of terror as dive bombers fell from the sky, guns blazing.
"Dive bombers coming down! Clauson, take Ingles and Metsk and engage those bastards, this river will not run red today unless it is with the blood of our enemies!"
Three of the planes broke formation and flew straight for the incoming dive bombers. Cutter and his group continued to engage the boats as more and more civilian-laden vessels flooded the river.
_*_*_*_*_*_8-8-8-88-88-8-8-*_*_*_***_**-8-8-8-8-8-88_*_*_*_*_*_8-8-8-8-8-8-8_*_*_*_*
(A Wing)
Bertram gave a sigh of relief as yet another enemy plane went down in flames. Sparing a glance at the river he couldn't help but bite back a curse.
"Looks like a damn city of rafts and boats down there. They're all sitting ducks."
He heard a loud screaming noise and saw several dive bombers dropping on top of the boats and agve a relieved sigh when several planes from C Wing rose to engage them.
"Paladin! Colonel-General Rosenkov here, the Rotarians have brought up reinforcements from Chamberlain, I'm ordering my forces to pull back to the bridge."
"General, do you mean to destroy the bridge?"
"I am seriously considering that option but only once it is clear of civilians and wounded soldiers. I'm honestly at a loss for words my friend...Union City has fallen, and with it Tellanos. My homeland is no more."
"You sure about that? I can name at least three Federation generals who would argue that point with you."
"Hold on...yes I'm sure. As for the three generals you know, General Oleg died when Retorinc fell, General Katyusha died in a rocket attack in Chamberlain, bit of irony there, and General Koniev was shot down the day before yesterday in a surprise attack."
"What about the Federal Committee? They're in Syllia."
"You answered your own question. They're in Syllia. Not Tellanos...Hmm, your planes have done well insofar. Truly a pity that you were not here sooner. Saved me a lot of headaches you would as well as spared me the arthritis in my hands from writing so many condolence letters." There was an explosion in the background and Bertram heard Rosenkov curse like a sailor before returning to the radio.
"Very well, it is now or never, I'm ordering the remaining Federal forces to retreat. The Armored Corps will have to abandon their tanks but the enemy will not have them. Major, please cover our forces as we withdraw."
"I copy sir, see you in Syllia."
_*_*_*_*_*8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8_*_*_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-8-8-8_*_*_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-8-8-*
(D Wing)
Douglas watched from on high as the tank crews leapt from their tanks moments before the so-called 'scuttling charges' detonated, reducing the tanks to scrap metal. Even the Syllian tanks were being blown up.
He nosed his plane into a strafing run of the enemy infantry who were trying to set up a killzone with several machineguns and mowed them down. His tailgunner had been firing nonstop since first sighting an enemy aircraft, ironically a captured Federation PF16 biplane, and managed to down several of the gnats.
As the latest kill fell from the heavens above the battlefield, the tail gun spat the last fifteen rounds into another PF16 that had taken the place of the one from before. The tailgunner got on the radio.
"LT, I'm out of bullets!"
"We still got an enemy behind us?"
"Yeah."
"Well do something!"
"What am I supposed to do? Spit at him? Use harsh language?"
"Dealer's choice. You can piss at him of you think it'll help, or moon him."
At that moment, a loud whine filled the air and a crack of gunfire.
"Praise be! One of the boys from B Wing took care of our gnat problem." Douglas sighed.
"Well praise be. When we land I'm buyin' that bastard a drink. Who was it?"
"The Miller brothers." Another sigh.
"Shit. With them there's no such thing as 'one drink'.
_*_*_*_*_*_*-88-8-8-8-8-8-*_*_*_*_*_*_*_8-8-8-8-8-8-8-*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-8-8_*_*_
On the bridge below, soldiers of the Federal 11th Heavy Infantry were helping Rosenkov wore the bridge with explosives as they retreated. They had already used most of the explosives in laying traps throughout the ruins of UCW and were now halfway across the bridge when the first series of detonations alerted them. Rosenkov, shaken but unafraid, turned to his men.
"Almost there Comrades! It's just a little ways further. If we fail today, Syllia may as well start digging its own grave as the enemy rolls into their territory. Captain! Has the east end been cleared?"
"Da! (Yes!) General, sir, should you not fall back as well? You are our commander are you not?"
"I am, however, unlike you all, I am not so much a soldier as I am an engineer. I build things and then blow them up for a living. I was also a part of the EOD Team 2 and thus am the only man needed on this bridge. If anyone should leave now, it is you brave souls."
A Rotarian shell exploded close to the start of the bridge. Rosenkov chuckled.
"This day may be bleak for our Motherland, but it is not the end of it. Go to Syllia, gain your strength, and when the time is right, march back into our beloved homeland with your heads held high. Heh, maybe when this is over I'll run for a Council position. I certainly sound like a Political Officer." The soldier nearest him, a Private, chuckled wryly.
"Except for one thing sir." Rosenkov looked to the soldier, eyes curious.
"What's that?" The soldier smiled as he unfirled more line for the explosives.
"You always try to speak the truth, you never bend it or lie." Rosenkov and many others also laughed as they worked their way back.
"If...If that weren't true I'd arrest you for sedition!" Rosenkov allowed himself to laugh at the joke as did the rest of the men. A moment later another shell hit the bridge. A soldier with them looked to another.
"You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say they were actually aiming for us." Another shell hit. Rosenkov looked around their position and then turned to the soldiers.
"They are aiming at us! Rig the charges as we go, the time for subtlety has gone out the window! When they're rigged, toss 'em at the supports! Run!"
The eight men took off in a dead run, four carrying explosives, two sticking fuse lines and tossing them, and the other two firing pot shots with their pistols into the ruined city behind them.
There was the sharp crack of a rifle and one of the men returning fire fell dead. His comrade grabbed his pistol and dual-wielding them, returned a blistering amount of fire before he too was cut down. Rosenkov looked at the men and the urged the others on.
"Keep moving! We've planted enough explosives to blow the bridge up three times over. Captain, get your remaining men to safety, I'll stay behind to finish the demolitions!"
"But sir-"
"'But' me one more time and I'll toss you off the bridge and order you to swim to shore! Go!"
The soldiers took off in a dead run as they were ordered to just as the rumbling or Rotiart tanks reached their ears. Rosenkov ducked in between debris to wire more charges before running and tossing them left and right. He made it to a set of pillars near the Syllian side when the sniper struck again. This time however, his aim was off as the bullet ripped through Rosenkov's leg instead of his chest of head. He dragged himself to a military vehicle nearby and wound the wires around the detonator. He heard a plane overhead and looked up to see Bertram's plane fly overhead.
_*_*_*_*-8-8-88-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-88-8-8-8-8_*_*_**_*-8_*
Bertram couldn't see much because of the smoke that choked the bridge but he could see tanks starting to cross as well as Rotarian infantry beginning a 'victory march' across the bridge, stepping over and sometimes on the bodies of the fallen and marching through the blood and gore that covered the pavement. The radio beeped once as he flipped the reciever on.
"B-Bertram..."
"General Rosenkov! Sir, why haven't you crossed the bridge?"
"C-Can't...got a round through my leg...Listen, I fear this war will get worse before it gets any better...the enemy...they are...determined...to say the least. They will not stop until Syllia is put to the sword. For the sake of both our lands, try to strike decisively. Demoralize the enemy wherever possible. Disrupt their plans whenever possible...and always, always, keep an eye on your comrades. Now then, I think...that it's time...First Air Wing, fall back to allied lines."
Bertram was about to say something when there was a large explosion from below. Wheeling the plane around, he saw the ruins of Union City West erupt into flames and explosions run along the length of the bridge. The pillars and supports cracked and crumbled, tanks screeched as they tried to retreat back over the bridge only to run over other tanks or infantrymen too shocked or stunned to understand what had just happened.
Then, with a mighty crack, the bridge began to fall, segment by segment, into the river below. Men screamed as the fell then drowned as they hit the river, their heavy packs dragging them all the way to the bottom. Those who could swim did so until they were cut down my machinegun emplacements along the Syllian side of Union City.
It was horrible to watch, yet, for some odd reason, Bertram couldn't turn away. He watched these men get slaughtered in the river. He saw their blood turn the crystal clear water red with blood. He watched the current carry the corpses of the dead downriver to where the river emptied out into the ocean.
Smoke and dust lingered over the air, blocking the bridge from view. Moments later, a strong gust of wind struck the cloud, dispersing it, and giving view to a horrific sight.
The Union City Bridge, a bridge built to unite two countries, once enemies, in an era of peace, was destroyed. Only a small segment on the Syllian side remained standing. In the river, the bodies lay piled upon broken and twisted machinery, bodies choked the river and washed up on either side of the river. Vehicles such as tanks, abandoned trucks, and cars that hadn't sunk when the bridge collapsed lay burning on the few segments that either lay on the sandbar under the bridge or lay on top of more rubble and wreckage.
In the distance, in Union City West, building burned and collapsed onto the soldiers still choking the streets. One skyscraper actually came down level on top of Main Street, flattening several dozen tanks and untold infantrymen. Bertram saw the survivors of Tellanos and Syllian citizens lining the roads heading east, towards Callen's Hill, and beyond that, to Launces and Royalis. Bertram took a deep breath and keyed the radio.
"Attention, all planes. Let's head for home. We're going back to Launces."
_**_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8_*_**_*_*_*_8-88-8-88-8_*_*_*_*_*_*_8-8-8-8-8-8-*_*
(Meanwhile, in Royalis)
Edward von Syllia, the King of Syllia, stood beside his Queen and before the members of the Council as well as representatives of the various noble houses. To his other side, stood James de Launces, pale and rather upset, but nonetheless supportive of his actions. In the back, Edward could see James' wife, Lysa, looking just as apprehensive about the entire thing. It was one thing to abdicate the throne but another entirely what he was about to do.
The crowd parted and members of the Praetorian delegation came forward, looking both sorrowful and yet relieved the events were taking place. The leader of the delegation bowed before them.
"Your Majesties, I thank you, Praetoria thanks you, from the bottom of our hearts. The coronation of Empress Anita the First shall take place the day after we return to Lav-er...come to think of it, Lavonshire is no longer a safe place for the Imperial family, not to mention the child. Your Majesty will have to choose a new Capital once the coronation is complete." Anita nodded understandingly as did Edward who then looked up and raised his voice.
"My dearest friends, family, and comrades, it is with deep sadness that I leave you today. Had this war not come to our doorstep, we would in all possibility still be living the lives we led before. But now war has come, and our presense is needed elsewhere. Praetoria needs an Empress and the Empress needs her husband. So, therefore, I hereby abdicate the throne of Syllia, and hereby relinquish all titles, priviliges, and rights contained within this Crown and this mark of distinction." The people gathered before them nodded solumnly. Some even openly wept. Edward raised his hand to avert questions that he knew were going to be asked and spoke again.
"However, do not think this is the end of the Syllian Kingdom. For, there have always been contigincies in place in case the Royal family of Syllia was wiped out by either war, sickness, or strife. The days of King Edward von Royalis, are now at an end."
With that, Edward and his wife stepped down from the throne and to the side and Edward and the Chamberlain motioned for the new King to step forward to the throne.
The Chamberlain, his voice controlled, commanding, nevertheless cracked with sorrow but at the same time, relief.
"The days of King Edward von Royalis the XVI, son of King Edward von Royalis the XV, great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandchild of King William the First, are at an end." The Chamberlain turned to the new King.
The people froze in the places, now one spoke, no one moved, no one looked to even breathe.
"Now come the days of the new King, of the new Royal Family."
Edward removed the crown of Syllia from his head and handed it to the Chamberlain who walked up the steps to the throne where the new King stood.
"Let his reign be great, his words unfettered, his will as hard as steel, his honor untarnished, his deeds sung throughout the land!"
The Chamberlain placed the crown atop the new King's head and beckoned him to rise.
"May all take heed of him. May all recognize him."
Lysa started moving through the croud as Syllian nobles, councilors, and soldiers alike dropped to one knee. The Chamberlain nodded and turned back to the King.
"Now, before the eyes of all assembled, before the eyes of God, and before the eyes of a Nation, begins the days and the reign of James the First, King of Syllia!"
The councilors, people, and soldiers rose as Lysa came up to stand beside James de Launces who looked as if he was about to be sick and they began cheering and chanting.
"Long live the King!" The Chamberlain stood to the side and Edward and Anita took up the cheer.
"Long live the King!" Outside, the people of Royalis cheered as well. Churches and Cathedrals throughout the city rang their bells in celebration. The sound of which reverberated within the halls of the castle.
"Long live the King!" James turned to Lysa, who smiled. James then took a deep breath and then raised a hand to silence the crowd.
"My...My people...(ahem)...I shall try to do the best I can, to end this war and see our loved ones returned home safely. Like you, I too have loved ones serving at this very moment; risking their lives for the freedoms that we as a nation and as a people enjoy. With your support, and the blessings of God, we shall defeat this evil and we shall drive it back to the Abyss from whence it came. For the peace that our children and our children's children deserve. We shall fight them, we shall fight the enemy, no matter where they are be it on the seas, on the land, or even in the air. We shall fight on, and we shall win!"
The people before him started clapping and cheering. James was unaware, but the people assembled outside the castle were also cheering and clapping.
"No matter how long it will take us...to avenge this...trajedy that has befallen our allies and has cost the lives of our people and soldiers, we, the people of Syllia, in our righteous might, will win through to absolute victory! As my first act as King, I request the Council renew the Declaration of War against the Rotiart Principality, the Damoneni Confederacy, and the Callinar Island Nations."
James turned to Edward and Anita, he smiled wanely and nodded to his cousin.
"I wish nothing but the best for the both of you. You once told me, if you had the choice to cast aside the crown and live life as an ordinary man for a day that you wouldn't do it. You feared that in that one day, everything you knew and cared about would come crashing down around you faster than you could put it back together. I wish that this needn't have happened but I can see why it must be done."
He turned to Anita.
"Anita...know that in the days that come...when you are Empress, know that Syllia will stand beside you." Anita bowed slightly and smiled.
"I thank you, Your Majesty."
The Praetorian delegation came forward, spoke words of thanks to James, and then escorted Anita and Edward out of the castle. James then turned to Lysa who still stood beside him.
"One hurdle over, and who knows how many more."
Before she could answer, the doors were opened for a pale messenger coming in, out of breath, clutching a message in his hand.
"Y-Your Majesty! I-I-I beg to re-report that-"
A General recieved the letter and read it before approaching James and kneeling.
"Your Majesties, Union City has been occupied. Through the bravery of some Federation soldiers, the Union City Bridge was destroyed before the enemy could cross it. A standing garrison has been placed at the crossing in case of enemy attack. Also, the Launces First Air Wing has returned to Launces. No casualties reported."
James thanked him and the messenger then addressed the group.
"Lock down our borders and start patrolling the border from Northumbria to Schildhaven. If Rotiart is as stubborn as I've been led to believe, they may try to invade and occupy Schildhaven as a means to reach us. Or they may attempt to navigate the Three Points Pass in Northumbria. This must not happen. Redeploy the 2nd and 3rd Armies to Union City East and set the 4th and 5th Armies to patrol along our Northumbrian border."
The Council aggreed wholeheartedly with neither a cry of protest or a word of challenge. It made him glad the council was on the same page as him for once but it also unnerved him.
_*_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-8-8_*_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-8-8_*_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-8_*_*_*_*
While all this was happening, far to the north of Tellanos' territory, lay a city that was covered in snow and ice year in and year out. Though this was indeed a city, it was a city Tellanos did not confirm or deny existed. It was a city that no one lived there who wanted to live there, a city that all the residents were forced to live there and could not be allowed anywhere else.
For decades rumors had circulated about a so-called 'prison city' where the Tellanians sent disgraced, dishonored, or disobediant soldiers, cowards, malcontents, anarchists, right-wing political factions, coup conspiritors, and political prisoners who spoke out regularly against the Federal Committee.
It was a city where only Tellanian soldiers, clad in snow-white uniforms which hid them in the snow as they performed their rounds, walked the streets. Prisoners were to never be allowed outside onto the streets. The soldiers here meant well but their redundant duties and rare attempts at escape dulled their perception and rusted their abilities.
It was here, in the lowest floor of the largest building in the exact center of the prison city that the unthinkable happened.
It was over in a moment, explosions rattled the prison as soldiers stormed the central building and made their way to a door built like a bank vault. They killed the six men stationed at the door and began to painstakingly undo the locks on the door. When, several minutes later, the last lock released and the door swung out, the soldiers snapped to attention and saluted reverently. The lead soldier, an officer, saluted by holding up his right hand as if in a 'stop' motion, revealing the crimson star sewn into his glove.
One by one, the other soldiers did the same, revealing the same emblem on their gloves. A moment later, a man, clad in a black longcoat with a white front, black trousers, and boots stepped out of the prison. He easily stood over the six foot mark, almost seven, he had broad shoulders, strong features, but what distinguished him from all others were his scars, at leats those visible.
He had a long jagged scar running down the left side of his face revealing an empty socket where his eye had once been, his right arm was missing from the elbow down, and had a large scar running from one side of his neck to the other, either from an attempted hanging or a failed attempt to cut his throat, nobody really knew.
On his coat, over his heart, was a red star.
The officer who had saluted lowered his hand and smiled.
"Comrade General Ivanov. We are pleased to see you." Ivanov nodded as he inspected the men before him.
"What of events outside my...gilded cage?"
"The Committee has fallen into exile sir. A nation, Rotiart, has invaded and has pushed the Federal Army out of Tellanos. They most likely seek to rebuild their strength and then try to retake Tellanos...with Syllian aid." The general shook his head sadly.
"The Syllians I am not troubled with. We ourselves are small in number and must make sacrifices to ensure our nation restored. The Committee, however, cannot be allowed to regain a foothold. Send word to our forces awaiting in the occupied cities. Tell them that the wolf has left its cave. They will know what it means." The officer saluted again and left as Ivanov surveyed the bodies around him.
"Such a shame it came to bloodshed...these men were true loyal sons of Tellanos. Our nation is lesser without brave, loyal, men. Once the Committee is dealt with and we are firmly in power, I shall see to it that no loyal Tellanian needs shed blood for what is ours by right. For now, we ally with the Syllians, but should they cross us or interfere with our plans, we will crush them."
The officer then brought forth a case and opened it. Inside was a prosthetic right arm and what appeared to be a mechanical eye of some sort.
"Presents from our...benefactor...sir."
The general nodded, closed the case, and he and his soldiers exited the prison just as alarms began going off throughout the building.
_*_*_**_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-8-8_*_*_**-8_8_*_*-8-8-8-*_*_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8
(Meanwhile, in Rotiart)
Dieter sat in his quarters at the Shadowfell Airbase and silently gazed out the window to where his squadron's jets sat on the field. He looked to his squadron who sat before him, each and every one of them from Jyne and Wolff to the others of his squadron that he trusted. He sighed and then held up a card he'd been given the day he returned to Shadowfell.
This card was dark blue and marked with a gold four-pointed star. He set the card down and then saw the other members of his squadron remove similar cards. He nodded.
"Gentlemen. It has come to my attention that there is a resistance movement here in Rotiart. Apparently, I have not been the only one of us to recieve their...invitation to join their cause. The attack on Praetoria has galvanized them and has forced them to a rather drastic action. In three days, Mechanos will be giving a speech to rally the morale of the people and to announce the rebirth of the Rotarian Empire. Afterwards, he will be going to a military base to plan the next assault which will likely mean moving troops into Syllia."
Dieter handed a flyer annuncing the speech to Jyne who looked over it and then handed it around.
"The Resistance has planned to assassinate Mechanos during the speech. Failing that, he will be placed on a transport that another jet squadron has been assigned to protect. We however, are on standby in case of an emergency." The men before him paled but nodded. Dieter then removed a packet of papers and opened up an envelope containing an action order.
"I have recieved word that Mechanos plans to deploy another of those Ragnarok bombs to attack the city of Launces and another to bomb what remains of Union City. If this comes to pass we are to take off, intercept the bombers, and from there, fly to Launces." Dieter saw their expressions and sighed, relieved that there seemed to be no desent from them.
"I swore an oath to serve Rotiart, as did we all, but Mechanos' atrocities have all but damned us. For the future of our homeland, we must do what we do now in order to save it from the dark future that awaits us for, superweapons or not, no matter what kinds of hell and damnation Mechanos can inflict upon the world, his war is doomed to fail because of this one event and when he falls, Rotiart will fall with him. To ensure that our families and our homeland does not burn with him." Dieter traced a line on the map before him from Shadowfell to Launces. Then looked up to his squadron, his eyes almost glowing in the light.
"We must defect."
_*_**_*_*_*_8-8-8-8-88-8-8_**_*_*_*_*_8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8_*_*_*_*_*-8-8-8-8-8-8-8_
Alright! It's done!
So, how'd ya'll like it? Kinda threw a curve ball at ya but, well, it had to happen to advance the story.
As always, please review.
Next chapter: Fallen Heroes, Fugitive Hope.