A/N: See first chapter for disclaimer. Here it is folks, the brand new chapter I promised to y'all.

/

The Lower Reik, 10:41AM

What saved Rosina was the game pausing. The captain of the Sea Hag was still processing what he saw giving the privateer the chance she needed to end the fight. She slashed her halberd down and opened up his throat in one swipe of her blade. The captain had a look of shock across his face as his health bar dropped to zero, as he bleed out. He collapsed onto the deck, leaving his crew without a leader.

The rest of the melee was quick as it was deadly. The deck of the sea hag ran red with blood as the age old practice of dead men tell no tales was enacted upon the remaining crew. The ship was captured and Rosina received a message about how it was now her prize. She ignored it and instead did a check up on her crew. She had lost 2 of her guild members and 20 sailors from the fight, that was out of a 12 players crew and nearly 60 sailor bots. Luckily Philip was still alive.

She personally went to him on the aft deck and saw him sitting and cleaning his sword of the blood and gore. He looked up at her." We taking the ship or leaving it?" Philip asked.

Rosina shook her head and crossed her arms beneath her chest." The ship is to badly damaged for us to take back to Marinburg and we need to leave now before the Imperials send more ships to find us. The captain's contacts know that we are here."

Philip looked at the bow section and shrugged." Good man. If he went Bret I would of liked to of have him under my command. Shame about his friends and family IRL."

To that Rosina huffed." He's probably waking up back IRL, lucky bastard."

Philip stood and spoke." So you think Kayaba was lying?"

The privateer then nodded happily and with a sick smile on her face. Philip shook his head in disgust." Then in that case I'm surprised that you haven't taken a bullet to the head and said good bye to this world."

Rosina 'tched' with a flick of her tongue." Bah, why would I want to do that? The life's good here."

Philip stood and sheathed his blade. He then started to walk back to the Titans Hand." A good life is freedom to choose how to live it to it's fullest. " He then stopped and glared at her." Not when it pleases you in another's game." He then left for the ship leaving the red haired pirate with some things to really think about.

/

Averheim, 10:45 AM

Kiabou was ecstatic and had ran out of his quarters naked and called together his advisors. With that cut scene he knew it was time to act and take Nuln! He ran into the broad room and took his seat at the head of the table. His advisor's weren't there yet but knew they would soon. He decided to take some time and get a snort of some wired root, he opened his window and the drug appeared in his hand. Kiabou then opened the vial and instead of lining it out he decided that now was a perfect time to celebrate his states debasement into the red, he snorted the entire vial.

His mind exploded into a moment of pure joy and pleasure. His mind was filled with a thousand neurons firing and engaging his dopamine production. His eyes became a kolliadiascope of colors and his brain experienced something akin to a dozen orgasm's all at once. For a full five minutes his mind experienced this pleasure and his body wracked with movement as his mind processed the experience. He loved every minute of it and as he felt it he could see the hermaphodicitic form of slaanesh for the briefest of moments.

But the high passed and his mind relented he could see that he was no longer alone. Around the table were his advisors. He panted and then spoke with a smile." It's time. It's finally fucking time. Get the armies together we'll march by night fall."

Tavington raised his hand up and said." Yes sir, but a question. I bet you need to prepare yourself."

Kiabou then spoke." Prepare… prepare for what? My army is ready, my allies are ready and my enemies are ready."

Tavington smiled and said." That may be true sir but you need to choose who to bring with you. After all our dear count should be in the lap of luxury and a girl or three in your own. Why not spend the day picking out the women for your personal carriage? We'll do all the hard work and you can take care of your more important duties to yourself. After all do you really need to be bothered with reports on how many pikemen we've recruited today?"

The elector tyrant then thought.' Why not, he is right, I am a count and I deserve the best. I am going to be emperor soon so why not take with me what I can. Plus it will be hard to decide who to bring with him to the fight.' Kiabou spoke aloud." Yes I'll do that now! It will take time to plan, should I take the ones with the biggest boobs, the best booty or maybe my loli's?" He then stood and ran to his chambers again, still free balling it back to his harem.

With the elector count gone Fethof ran his massive meaty hand down his face." Please tell me we are still planning on him getting a cannon ball to the face? I really can't stand the son of the bitch and now he's running around naked."

Kirk shrugged." In two weeks he'll be dead, via cannon ball or a stab in the back. Till then we just need to keep him away from the actual work as much as possible." Kirk then looked to Tavington." Good catch there."

The Brit snorted with a smirk." Over 6 months of being in this circle if I didn't learn how to distract our dear leader I would be dead or in the ranks. Instead I'm sitting on this posh chair helping to decide the fate of thousands for Emperor Kirk the 1st." Tavington knew that Kirk was the true power behind Kiabou and he would not be content with just being the elector count. Kirk had his claws deep into the other areas of Averheim's aristocracy and Tavington did not want to stand in the way. He would be content with the seat of Averheim, if only for a few more days till the destruction of the Great Temple of Sigmar. " Though I wonder are you going to recall your chaos causing rodents in the north to do in Kiabou?" Tavington asked.

Kirk shook his head." Na, from what I heard there is some traitors in Sylvania working with the dwarfs from Zhufbar." He then smiled widely and pointed to Fethof." The same ones who wrecked Cragmere."

Fethof's expression harden and he said." I want in on fighting them." His bright red eyes harden.

To that Kirk shook his head." You can send about 100 green skins. But not you and your entire army. They are needed to the west. Also before you ask no they won't be alone, we have a battalion already in the Moot and they'll join the green skins you send. I'll even send the skaven I got running around the darkwald to cause more trouble."

Before Fethof could protest Tavington stopped him." What about the main dwarf throng is Zhufbar let alone the other holds? We would be opening up our rear if we do so."

Kirk had an answer for that as well." If we don't we'll have a force of traitors still able to strike our rear. This way we will be able to decimate them and if the throng of Zhufbar do strike out it will take a week for them at least to march down to Averheim with their artillery. Even then it would be a large siege operation that would take two maybe three days to take control of the city. If they do seek help from the other halls it will be difficult to convince them since the other holds do not hold anything against us. In addition by the time they do make it here to Averheim we would of taken Nuln and Marianburg would at least have decimated the North's defenses enough for us to march into Altdorf."

Fethof looked at the manling and asked." How long have you known about the dwarfs in Sylvania? I know you've known for a while if you have those points already prepared."

"4 Days." Kirk said honestly when he was found out." But even I let you known earlier what could you have done? We are committed to go West, if I told you earlier how many greenskins would you take to go Northeast and then with no support for when the dwarfs brought down the hammer. Now we do have a reason in that they are openly harboring our clear enemies. So your boyz will be clobbering the traitors and stunties anyway."

Fethof looked pissed but he was silent. Instead Tavington said." And if the dwarfs along with their human traitors win the fight against the greenskins? Wouldn't that be still allowing our flank to be vulnerable?"

To that Kirk countered." By then they would have suffered too many casualties to continue fighting any further than Sylvania. Then we get back to my previous points."

Fethof then stood and pointed to Kirk." You're a bastard but I'll go along with the idea." The massive green skin then turned to Tavington." I'll send the details to you." He then proceeded to stomp out of the room.

With him gone Tavington asked Kirk." So, how are we going to make sure he gets a cannon ball to the face when the time comes?"

Kirk chuckled." I think it's easier to be sure that a shot to the back is easier on the fields of Britenfield."

/

Altdorf, 10:50 AM

The meeting was informal but was on an edge. To avoid the hordes of players demanding answers and military officers looking for orders in more official setting, Steve and Mortimer had decided to go to the imperial palace's kitchen. They took their seats across from one another at a small table, Steve speaking first as he sat." Well shit's hit the fan."

Mortimer nodded to that and said." Well then at least we were partially moving before they turned to the dark side. Eugene will be in Nun by tomorrow night and the Brunswick Corps are already moving to raid the Averlanders. Though I do have some bad news it looks like one of patrol ships has been taken by a Marianburg ship. No other ships were seen by the captain before he sent the message so I think it was a scout."

Steve sighed." Shame, but still we have bigger problems." He opened his menu and spoke." When I and the Middenlanders get the final word on Marianburg making their move we'll start moving as well. I sent out a general mobilization for the rest of the remaining players. Still though we'll be in a fog of war till we find out what we'll be facing exactly and who will be our opposites."

To that Mortimer countered." Yes, we'll need to out how to counter the Marianburgers. The good news is that we know they are using mercenaries from every other faction and we use much the same mercenaries, along with their forces being split between us and Middenheim. The problem is that we need to counter what they do have without knowing what they all have."

Steve shrugged." Can't defend everywhere, if we did then we can't anywhere. We'll deal with the surprises with what we have. I'm sure that the steam tanks will have a field day though."

Mortimer cupped his chin." Speaking of the steam tanks I think we should use them for a special event tomorrow. One that'll raise up the spirits of the troops."

/

"Castle Runia", Sylvania, 11:00 AM

The conquest of Castle Runia was something of a hallow one for Roshi's army. Just over 20 minutes earlier they had taken the ruins of the castle, Roshi having renamed it to her liking, but with their victory came news no one wanted to hear. The game paused and they saw the cut scene that declared Averland had fallen into heresy.

Roshi leaned against a column in the keep of Castle Runia, around her were her captains and Weiss along with some of his people. The group were discussing what to do about the new problem of Averland. She listened to the dwarfs and humans talk to one another about how they should strike and another how they should stay in the castle. Weiss was keeping his group under control though. His group were former Averlander's and if any had a good reason to go to the south to kick some PLA ass it was them.

Weiss though, despite wanting much of the same thing was keeping his cool about the matter." Klein I know you want to avenge your friend but still keep your head. If you want to find the person who shot him you'll be welcomed to after the PLA, but I want you to think about how you are going to go after them. How the hell are you going to find him? Are you going to put more of your friends and your fellow knights in danger for some vengeance?"

Klein then said." You wouldn't be saying the same thing if your daught-" Weiss rose up his hand to silence the younger man.

" I am her father… I love my daughter more so than you could any of your friends. But I realize that if I loose her I will have other responsibilities. I will kill the bastard who harmed her but only after I am secure that my remaining friends are safe. At that point even if I die at least I will know that everything is alright as well as I could make it before I died. But till then I will protect her as much as you should look to protect your remaining friends."

Then another member of his group spoke up." But what happens if the PLA win's and destroys the GTS? Where does that leave us? Shouldn't we move to fight them instead and try to go for the throat and at least have a chance of escaping?"

Weiss bit his lip at that logic and was silent. Roshi saw it and then spoke to spare her companion from any ill will from his own people." I think it's safe to say that both sides have their points. We don't have the numbers to make a real dent into the rear of the Averlanders and we are at a much bigger chance of being cut off completely. If we don't attack then they will have more reserves to take against Nuln and Altdorf eventually. Given the choice's we have we are dead if we do and we are trapped if we don't." She settled against the column and looked at Weiss." I will back your choice Weiss, we've fought together long enough that I trust you to make the right decision."

Weiss then looked at Roshi then his comrades, his daughter and then back to Roshi." My choice is…." He then drew his sword for dramatic effect." Kreig! We go to war against the PLA!" The arms of his knightly order shot up and there was a shout of agreement. It wasn't just the humans but some of the elves and a few of the dwarfs did so as well.

Roshi then opened her menu and wrote to Thordek.' Look's like Weiss will be leading his army to Averland, most of my people want to go and I can't stop them. I'm going to go to war with them and leaving a small garrison here with our newest acquisition.' She then sent the message off and then turned to Weiss.

She motioned to the older man who saw her and detached himself from the group of semi-celebrating people." Yes Rin" He asked her.

The dwarfen commander then said." I want you to know that I'm taking control of this army. You'll be my second in command of course, but if we are to be putting ourselves against real players then I'm going to be in charge." There was a small pause and she winced." Weiss for the love of our mutual gods I need you to at least survive this, if there is anyone else who can lead the mailings after a defeat it's going to be you."

Weiss looked down at her and then relaxed his shoulders." I trust you. I also expect you to look after Gertrude if I was too lose my life." He then smiled at her." Age really doesn't count in this game, just ability. You're not even twenty and you just put into your hands almost 150 people voluntarily. This game really has the ability to show how deep our depths are, for good and as we know all too well how bad."

'This is a good man if I ever saw one. I do hope he does make it out of here.' Roshi thought while looking up to him.' If anything I'm sure when a history book is written on WAO he'll have his part to play.' She then heard the sound of a PM arriving in her message box." Thank you for your words. Now see to your people and let me deal with my boss."

Weiss nodded and turned on his heel. He then walked to Klein." Klein I need you to lead a patrol to the north. We don't want any surprise warbands behind us and I want-" He then continued to bark more orders and was lost in the crowd.

Roshi read her message from Thordek.' Very well, I'll send some Gyro's your way and the A2-C2 for good measure. Happy Hunting Major Rin.' That brought a smile to her face and she closed the message box.

' Well." She thought.' Lets get down to business.'

/

Darkwald, Stirland, 11:20 AM

Wizzel looked at the messages he had received from the PLA and sighed as he closed his window." I should have joined Laughing Coffin when I had the chance." He said to himself.' At least they don't have to deal war so much as just killing.' He then added to his thoughts. He saw that other players had received the same message and then spoke to them." Looks like we have to operate out in the open now."

The grey seer looked at him." But till we have to fight how about we keep to the shadows and tunnels? It's a ways yet to Sylvania."

Wizzel nodded." Sure thing. We gotta be smart about this after all."

The Engineer armed with the 3D maneuver gear then added, throwing a hand over his shoulder." Not to mention this forest has been giving me the creeps. I'm thinking were being followed but whenever I check I only find some NPCs going on with whatever their programmed with."

Wizzel waved him off." Bah, it's probably your skaven paranoia. I love the bonus's our race has but still some parts are pretty negative. After all when I was in Khemeri a few months back out on the dunes I was only person around for a hundred miles and still I felt like someone about to back stab me."

The engineer nodded." Yeah… still kinda freaky."

Wizzel snorted and smiled." Hey we're part of Clan Freaka, if we're not dealing with something that isn't freaky then we're doing something wrong. Now then come on we need to get down south soon." He then turmed to move out with his retinue following along.

All the while NPC and a single set of player eyes followed them and started to make preparations of their own especially on when to call the pack together for the kill.

/

The Moot, 12:30 PM

Jeremy rode into destroyed the Hobbiton clone of a town with the rest of his pistoliers. They were fresh with the smell of black powder and sweat after dealing with the Halfling re-enforcements from the surrounding towns. The halfling's were quite easy to deal with once the bow armed militia regiments were dealt with. The pistoliers then just rode circles around their spear men with the knights breaking them easily. Of course there was a blood bath to cut down the remaining Halflings to stop them from regrouping and that expended the last of the pistoliers ammunition. By then it was over and they were safe to move about as they pleased.

Since there were no more Halfling miltia to be marching to this towns aid he decided that he would pick over anything left from sacking. In addition to his soldiers pay he had a concern about the cut-scene that made it clear that things were never going to be quite the same in Averland again. When he arrived at the town what he found was a burnt out village and the lowly infantry players devouring the halfling's food's and wines, along with an auction block set up where the cutest captives were held and sold. There were not many since the halfling's were not that particularly attractive race but in the large town there were a few girls and boys who could do for a bounce or two.

Jacob then thought. 'Lets get this over with.' He rode up to Colonel David and dismounted, saluted and said." I would like to report today's action."

David, a bottle of wine in one hand and a halfling girl being held closed to his body in his other hand, said to him." Give your report lieutenant."

Jacob lowered his hand." All Halfling militia's from the surrounding towns have been routed with about half a dozen bots lost. There is no more trouble coming our way and we're clear to party like it's 1631." He smirked at the last line.

David took a swig of his wine as he heard Jacob, lowering the wine he said." Good. We're going to get some re-enforcements tomorrow and move up north to take on some traitors and stunties. So get some powder before you get to the party else you won't have enough time tomorrow."

Jacob shifted uncomfortably." So were going to be facing players?"

To that Jacob nodded." Ayup, so prep for that. They'll be thinking outside the box so be ready to deal with that. Dismissed."

He then walked off to a non-burnt out hole in the ground leaving Jacob to his thoughts' I better get sloshed tonight.' He thought before heading off to the quartermaster.

/

Leicheberg - Stirland, The Grand Gazebo East, 4:20 PM

Alder stood on the west patio looking over the pool as the sun began to set. He saw Tatianna in her blue two piece, as she swam in the water and as much as he enjoyed looking at her near naked form his thoughts over took his mind. Argo was still in the hotel but would be gone by night fall. In his mind her words still resonated though.' Averland has fallen into heresy, I was hoping to get here before that happened but it's to late. Please listen though I still need to talk to you about it.'

He felt his shoulders dip as he remembered her words at the breakfast table.' Well I wanted to know if you would want to join me in an expedition to Slyvania, there's an army of refugees there along with some dwarfs. If we join them then we'll add on to their forces and throw the PLA off if they face them, since they wouldn't expect us. After all we caused all sorts of chaos when we worked together against them last year.'

He then told her that it wasn't him but his group who did it, but Argo wouldn't have any of it.' And guess who led them, Golden Wolf. If the PLA know that you're in the fight they'll be pouring a lot more resources to fight you over the actual Imperial Army. Even if you'll be running they'll think you're up to something.' Then she did something that disturbed him, Argo nodded to Tatianna.' And you can't stay out of this fight either.'

It was at that point that Adler dropped his respectful interaction and gave a very cold ' Leave us' and Argo did with the words that she was going to stay at the hotel till night fall. Now he was on the patio as he thought about his options. How he was on vacation but the fate of his people and others hung in the balance… how could he say no to Argo's offer. But then again he owed little to her and he had severed his ties to the command structure of the Empire and had no power over it save for his bots. Was it only some selfish pride that kept him from taking actions for the long run of getting out of this game?

As he continued to think he felt the hand of his fiancée on his back." You alright Rufus?" Tatianna asked him.

He sighed and turned to her." I'm just trying to think of any reason why I should not take up Argo's offer." He paused for a moment." I thought up a few but each time I do I feel more like a bastard. Sure I can say I don't really have the time to fight since I'm on vacation… but then I think of all the other players who got called off their own holidays. I can't talk to a player who survived this war and say that I decided to wait it out. Then I have the problem that we'll be separated and I just popped the question." He then gave a humorless chuckle."That's pretty much a death sentence in movies 'oh me and my girl are gonna get hitched after the war is over' is up there with 'only three more days till I retire'."

Tatianna had a look of concern on her face and then she straighten out her expression." That is true. Also Argo was right about me being called off to fight." Her expression became more serious and Adler's heart dropped." I could never forgive you if you decided not to fight when you had the chance to do so. I would never have anything else to do with you."

Adler then turned back to the pool." I guess that doesn't leave much of an option for me then." He then asked." So where do you suppose you'll be fighting when Reck call's you to war?"

Tatianna then smiled and hugged her fiancée close." I'll be by your side." He looked up at her with a confused expression. She then explained to him." If I move before I get orders and say I'm already fighting against the PLA then I think Reck can know why can't fight directly under him. So that means we'll be fighting side by side or at least pretend to."

Adlers expression changed to a smile and he then pressed his head to her cleavage." Thank you." He said tenderly." I'm sorry about the vacation going to hell though."

She giggled and pat his back." Once this is over you can take me to Lustria. I've seen ad's for a resort there."

He looked up and said." Deal." Then kissed her. She returned the affection and after a few precious moments let him go.

Tatianna then said to her future husband. " You have to go tell Argo our choice. I'll get Rusty and our luggage. We can't afford to spend the night here anymore."

To that Adler nodded." Ayup. I'll tell her. I'll see you in a few." He then ran off to find Argo.

/

Thus all the pieces were in motion.