A group of five guardsmen crept through the woods with their guns ready. There was early morning light, and all were tense.
"Are you sure that you saw them around here?" Asked the one furthest behind.
"Yes, keep quiet." Said the one leading the group in a loud whisper.
"I still think it's a waste of ammunition to do this, just don't miss."
"I never miss."
After a few more steps something on the woods floor burst out in front of them into the air spooking the group, but the leader quickly aimed his gun and fired a single shot which quickly followed with a thud. They quickly ran over to see the stricken body of a grouse laying on the oak leaves on the ground. The shot had nearly decapitated the head which was barely attached a clean kill.
"We should go back now." Said one of the men.
"Why?" Said the leader picking up the bird. "There have to be more nearby. We could get a couple more in the next hour."
He shook his head. "Any enemy scouts within a mile know we're here now."
The leader reluctantly agreed, and the group began making their way back. The leader punctured the bird and pulled the breasts out before throwing the body away. After about a half hour of walking they came up to a rocky outcrop and began looking around.
"Are you sure this is it?" Said one the men.
"It's here. It looks like a cave opening but isn't too obvious." Said another.
After a couple minutes of searching the leader found what they were looking for and called the others over. In front of them was the black hole hidden between two boulders. One by one they entered the hole emerging to see the steaming pool. They walked past the pool down the mountainside to the plateau where a camp had been set up. Children ran throughout the camp, some human other bunnies. In the center of the camp was a large lean to and several of the bunny women were under it eating happily. The guardsmen however were not pleased.
"What in God's name are you doing!?" Yelled one of the men.
The bunnies simply continued to eat. One of the men grabbed a bunny by the arm and she quickly responded with punching him in the face. This resulted in a brawl until Beveren emerged grabbing one of her warriors by the ears and yelling at everyone to stop. She was quick to chastise her warriors.
"If any of you have another bite, I'll slit your throat! You idiots need to conserve. Burmilla made us a large amount of food, but she's gone now, and we don't know when she'll be back. For the rest of the day only children, wounded, and nursing mothers may eat. If anyone has food out of turn, they will be tied up and left out overnight."
The Colonel emerged from the airbase headquarters to find Henderson yelling at the soldiers guarding the entrance.
"This is my command post! You can't just move in here and act like you own the place!"
"Sergeant I must ask pardon for the situation. I'll leave you to oversee things here." Said the Colonel.
Henderson was hardly willing to accept the apology but sought to diffuse the situation as quickly as possible. "I'm willing to accept your command Colonel but I expect not to be disrespected like this in the future."
The Colonel gave a slight nod. "I'm leaving Captain Walker under your command. If you have any concerns or complaints direct them to him."
After exchanging salutes, the Colonel returned to the back seat of his car where the Major was being held.
The Colonel looked him in the eyes. "Major before this goes any further, I'll ask you again what you told me was the full truth. It wasn't something you experienced while drinking redneck moonshine, right?"
"Every word Colonel. I understand your reservations but expect to be taken seriously on my testimony."
"I'll keep what you said in mind but tell no one else about this. Driver take me back."
After about an hour of driving they arrived at a rural train station which had been set up into a makeshift army camp. The Colonel and Major left the car and entered the station. Inside was a table with a map and a number of army officers stood at attention. Upon the Colonel sitting down the officers followed. The Major sat at the Colonel's right. He looked at the map which showed the major towns and roads of West Virginia.
The Colonel then started the meeting. "As you all know a number of attacks have been launched in the western and northern parts of the state as a result, we have evacuated most of those areas with the exception of Charleston and towns surrounding it. The remnants of the West Virginia National Guard will be charged with guarding the capital while federal troops will oversee the defense in the east and south.
The main enemy force is focused around Spencer where the old monastery is, and they appear to be moving west to Ohio and south toward the capital. The 7th battalion shall move in and take the mountains east of the town and set up a trench system where machine guns and the newly arrived artillery will be placed. Once defenses are complete the 12th calvary regiment will advance and attempt to retake the town and move up toward the compound. Once the enemy defense stiffens retreat back to the east, luring the enemy in where they will be easily routed. After we bleed them then all forces will move in and eradicate the remaining enemy combatants.
There was a pause until one of the officers spoke up. "We'll be most vulnerable while setting up the trench system. Do you think they'll just turn a blind eye while we dig holes and move in heavy artillery?"
"We'll mainly be using civil war era artillery for the ambush. The larger guns which just arrived will be moved in last but will not be major factor in this battle. I expect everything will be in place in 48 hours, all the while the 7th battalion will be prepared to repulse any enemy advances.
"This is ridiculous." Said another officer. "It's overly cautious let's just go in and crush those backwoods hillbilles right now."
"I understand your thoughts on this, however if the National Guard was so badly mauled in their encounter, I will not be rash in this."
"They're incompetent! Give me the word and…"
"LIUTENANT I WILL HEAR NO MORE! YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH AGAIN AND I'LL SEND YOU ON A ONEWAY TRIP TO ALASKA!" After a moments pause the Colonel's attention turned to the Major. "Well, what is your opinion on this?"
He took another look at the map. The plan certainly seemed well thought out. He couldn't think of a better strategy himself. Still with what the enemy was capable of things were unlikely to go as planned. "It's well thought out. I agree on a cautious approach but in addition to vulnerability while defenses are being set up, I fear the calvary will experience heavy casualties."
The Colonel leaned forward in his chair staring straight at the Major. "Casualties are inevitable, but the 12th are seasoned veterans. They can hit and run on a second's notice. I do have one concern; however, do you believe our enemy have machine guns captured from your forces or have otherwise obtained?"
"Well no."
"Then there's nothing to be worried about. Lieutenant once I get the report from Henderson's scouts, I want our forces deployed immediately."
After the Major returned to the car with the Colonel, he quickly voiced his true concerns. "Sir are you sure about them being kept in the dark? What about the dragon?"
"Tell me how large this dragon is."
"Well, I haven't seen it personally…"
"Then you're getting this information second hand. What makes you so sure that it's a potent threat?"
"Only a handful of those who saw it escaped. The fact that nearly half of the active National Guard was wiped out should be enough of an alarm. The enemy we face is very dangerous."
"When I originally arrived, I was expecting to use tanks and fighter aircraft of the National Guard in my offensive but since you lost them, I am limited in my plans of attack. Until I see exactly what this enemy can do, I must use conventional tactics."
The Lieutenant nodded. The Colonel was once again sound in logic, but he still believed that the plan was a mistake. "We still have the bombers."
"The airbase is low on fuel so the bombers will be kept in reserve in case a retreat is needed. Reconnaissance aircraft will be used to scout enemy positions nothing more."
"I understand but you must be aware that once the dragon takes to the field casualties will be high."
"ENOUGH OF YOUR STUPID DRAGON!" The Colonel sighed regaining his composure. "If conventional shells can't kill it, I'm going to take a page out of Commander Paul's playbook."
"Chemical weapons?"
"Nerve gas. I understand the risk but if the enemy is the threat you say it is, I'm prepared to do what needs to be done."
The wagon carrying Levi's group continued down the main road. Levi had expected that cars would be on the road, but none were seen. In fact, they saw no one despite passing several houses. Ross was initially concerned by this, but Levi reassured him that it was likely that they had been evacuated by the National Guard. And that they would likely run into their comrades soon. Eventually they came upon a town and people were seen but far fewer then expected.
There were a few cars parked and several gray houses lined the street. One man could be seen sweeping his steps and he looked up to see the wagon. Rory waved as they went by. The man gave a confused look before shaking his head and returning to sweeping. Then all could hear the church bell going off, it was the top of the hour perhaps one or two o'clock.
"Ross did you see what town this is?" asked Levi.
"Pinch."
"What?"
"The name of the town is Pinch. It's about 40 minutes away from Charleston, were getting close."
Rory stared at one of the parked cars as the wagon went by. "Is that one of the wagons that move without horses?" She asked.
"Oh yes." Said Levi.
"Can you show me how?"
He thought a moment not sure what to say. "It's not mine, I can't just go up and try to start it."
She stared with wide eyes and pouted her lips. "Please for me."
"Not now Rory."
"Aww why?" She began rubbing up against him making whimpering noises.
He cringed for a moment not sure how to react. "Rory if you act like a child, I'm going to treat you like a child."
She got off him before leaning up against the side of the wagon. "Humph." She said turning away from him.
"Do you mind if we stop here for a bit?" Asked Ross. "The horse must be tired after going through the hills and walking over pavement for so long. I want to water it, and let it rest for a few minutes."
Levi wanted to get to Charleston as soon as possible but he also did not want to exhaust the horse. After all they were now safe in the town. "Find the water trough we'll stay for 15 minutes before continuing on."
They soon found the water trough near the church and allowed the horse to drink. Burmilla stroked the horse's mane while it drank.
After around five minutes an organ was heard and the doors to the church opened and people began streaming out. Levi became anxious. So that explained why nobody was around, it was Sunday. He had hoped everyone would walk by, but all stopped and looked at them. It had been a mistake to stop and now there was no way to leave quietly. Those in the crowed began talking to one another questioning why soldiers were there and the attire of the women, but of course Rory's ax drew then most attention.
"Burmilla, Rory were leaving now. Ross hook up the horse let's go!"
One of the men came up. "Why are you here son is something wrong?"
"Were heading to Charleston to set up for a training exercise." Said Levi.
The children all came up to Rory who seemed elated to see them. A woman came up and pulled two of the children away. "Get away from her she's dangerous!" She turned to Rory. "You should be ashamed to wear something like that on the Lord's day!"
"Lord?" She replied. "This is the most holy attire I can wear for my Lord."
"What you wear is that of a harlot!"
"I will not be insulted by the likes of you! You should bind your tongue little girl for you are a fool who knows not what she says!"
The woman backed away in fear and Levi noticed her eyes fill with anger and lips change from pink to purple. He immediately grabbed her wrist and pulled her aside. "Ross are we good to go?!"
"Hey, let go of me!" Protested Rory.
Levi pulled her all the harder into the wagon. "Rory please shut up we're leaving now."
As they left the crowed began shouting and the children began to cry. Many were in the road blocking the way.
"Please move!" Pleaded Levi. "We're trying to leave!" Suddenly something hit him in the chest he looked down to see a stone. They were throwing rocks. Why were they throwing rocks? He thought. The wagon was pelted a few times but luckily only a few were throwing things. Soon they were outside the town.
Levi looked to Rory who was of course ignoring him. "Rory I'm sorry."
She immediately perked up as if finally receiving the attention she was looking for. "Why do you have to be so mean? Why do they have to be so mean? The children just wanted to play a little."
"I understand but they're scared. Put yourself in they're shoes. They come out of church and see two soldiers and a girl with a giant ax. I'd certainly be suspicious and want to protect my kids."
"But the woman insulted my outfit and said I was a prostitute."
Levi nodded. "The culture in our world is different. They don't understand the significance of your clothes."
"Something was seriously wrong back there." Said Ross. "The people in that town were on edge long before they saw us."
"Do you think they're aware of what's out there?" asked Burmilla.
Ross stared at Burmilla for a second before returning his attention to the horse shaking his head. "I don't know but with all the villages attacked and evacuated recently I wouldn't be surprised if word got out."
"It might be for the best." Cut in Levi. "I'd rather they know then are completely caught off guard. I'm sure that when we talk to the city officials, we'll get some answers on what the heck is going on out here."