WAO: The Imperial Civil War

by Commissar Brackett

After nearly a year of tension in the Empire the nation is on the brink of an all out civil war. Battle lines have been drawn, old friends and new will declare their allegiances and the heirs of Sigmar will fight for freedom from the death game and the throne of the Empire. Find out who will stand at the end of this war! Discontinued, life has gotten in the way.

6. Opening Moves

A/N: See first chapter for disclaimer. Here it is folks, a brand new chapter after a hiatus. Man this one is a doozy, and all because of my wonderful reviewers supporting this story. Keep on reviewing and critiquing the story and I'll keep on working to improve it along with each review. Remember keep me honest if I make mistakes in the story. That and Microsoft word changes some of the words I use as well so the sooner I know about something wrong, the sooner I will be able to fix it. Again any beta's out there?

Also in regards to the story. With the release of the Age of Sigmar I want to make this clear that this story will not feature the new world therein. WAO will be based in and finish in the Old World. Of course there is going to be a couple of epilogues one where the story will officially end with and one ending that I've been wanting to do since the beginning of this fic.

So… Total War: Warhammer is awesome!

Finally I want to announce to you folks that I will be taking on some new responsibilities as the English Beta for An ISOT in Grim Dark. If you want to read a Warhammer Fantasy story with more modern people lost in the Old World you can't go wrong with it.

Reply to Reviewers-

Edward95: Thanks for your support.

Deathwing316: No porn here unfortunately… OT16+ in regards to nudity and sexuality though.

/

Sylvania, 7:20 AM 10th of September

The Ruins of Castle Bylorhof was a dark outline in the early morning fog. It was an intimidating and darkly gothic as it loomed over the town of Bylorhof. After a night of patrolling it was a tempting target for the knightly detachment that Klein was in charge of.

There were five knightly players with Klein, a fifth of the total amount of knights that Weiss had under his banner back down south at Runia. But despite having only five actual players, there were another 56 knightly bots bound to the players. It was an armored force not lightly tangled with unless one was armed with some armor piercing weapons, or magic.

With the full plate armor and plenty of bots it gave Klein and his fellow troops some confidence, not over confidence of course since they had seen what a bullet could do to their armor if placed rightly. But given that he was in Sylvania over a true province of the empire, where the most dangerous projectiles were skeletal arrows, his confidence was riding high. He looked at the castle and licked his lips, after a day and night of moving to the north with hardly any fight the chance for loot and to get stuck into combat was welcomed.

' I'm a little tried, but that castle… just an hour raid then a day long ride back to Runia and we'll be on our way to Averland, maybe even a level higher." Klein thought, at level 35 he was pretty decent in a scrap but at the same time another level never hurt anyone.' Just an hour at most for a raid.' He then turned to his fellow knights and friends." We're going to raid that castle. Make it quick and we'll be back to Runia in a few hours. Let's move out." He then pointed towards the castle and as he trotted forward there was a groan from his buddies. He ignored it since unless they actually said something about it, they were still up for the fight.

The detachment trotted into the town with their banners flying and found it just like almost every other Sylvania town. A gothic and highly eastern European style was applied to it, where the smell was musty and in the foggy morning made it so only a few feet ahead could be seen clearly. On the doors of the buildings were the sigil of the hammer and above them were strands of garlic hammered above the thresholds. The NPCs that were making their way around were long and weary faced, averting their eyes from the passing knights and ahead was a player on a horse.

'Wait who is that?' Klein thought as he looked at the player riding towards them. Klein brought his horse to a stop and watched the other player.

The player was walking the horse forward at a gentle pace. His form began to take shape below his player's bar, the most noticeable aspect being his broad brim hat. After that it was clear he was witch hunter from his black leather coat and golden sigil across his chest. Then from behind a giant horned shape and two cloaked beings took form. The witch hunter spoke with an American accent, a strange one to Klein were the vowels sounded drawn out." Howdy there friend." He tipped his hat." The names Adler and I was hoping to meet up with a mister Weiss."

Klein gripped his reins with his left and slowly and as inconspicuously as possible went for his stiletto on his right hip." Why do you want to meet with Wiess?" One of his friends then gripped his gauntlet.

"Klein you know who that is? He was the leader of the Golden Wolves, I recognize him from the Daily Argo." Said Kleins friend.

Then from one of the short shapes they could hear a female voice." Ah, good to see that my paper has left an impression on you. Oh how rude, I'm Argo."

Then the minotauress stepped through the fog." And I am Adler's Fiancée, Tatianna captain of the Beastmen." She then pointed a finger to the last hooded figure." And that's Rusty. Me and my fiancée's charge."

Klein was flabbergasted, how in the hell was it that a former resistance leader and the only international publisher in the world were both togeather and right infront of him. Then he remembered that Adler wanted to see Weiss.' Oh I see.' It clicked. Then aloud." You want to join up with Weiss and the Silver Seekers?"

To that Adler nodded." True dat. I heard that there is a dust up going to happen around here and I decided I needed to start kicking some PLA ass again since they got uppity." He rode up and extended his hand." Now then son, what's your name and what are you doing all the way out here?"

Klein took the hand and shook it." My name is Knight-Preceptor Klein and I was hoping to raid the castle overlooking the town. Since you're here though I think I'll take you directly back to Weiss."

Adler smirked and let go of Klein's hand, then pointed his finger at the castle." That little speed bump? Hell I could be in and out of there in 30 minutes. I'm pretty sure your boss won't mind you gone for that long."

Klein raised an eyebrow." Your alright with us going in there?" He asked.

To that Adler nodded." Sure… if you don't mind if I take along my boys as well." He then waved forward." March 30 paces!" From out of the mist came the marching of hobnailed boots and the head of a column of empire state troops, Halberdiers." And that's just the front of them. There are a few hundred rat men and few score beasties as well making up the rear."

Klein looked at the small army approvingly. He may have had some of the best armored troops men in the game, baring of course the Chaos Warriors and certain dwarfs, but the diversity that these other troops would being on the raid would make things so much more easier." Very well then. Do you have any hand gunners? We can use them as second rank for my knights to add extra fire power."

Adler smiled widely." Sure do along with some, crossbows, swordsmen, a mortar and a helblaster… though the latter two might not be needed this time around. Blade and bullet work though will be plenty needed."

Klein nodded." Well follow me then. My knight's will be taking the lead, you'll be getting half the loot of course. Any 40k weaponry though belongs to my company."

Adler waved him off." Actually you can take 60%, it works out a bit more even since you guys are taking the lead. Plus it splits fairly evenly with your buddies. Oh and I don't mind skipping over the 40k gear, I've had my fill of bits and pieces of it." The older man said.

Klein nodded." Seems fair. Well lets get this show on the road." He then clicked his tongue and lightly pressed the flanks of his horse and set it to ride up to the castle.

Adler rode up next to Klein and asked." So how far is the main arm of your army?" Klein gave him a look and Adler chuckled." It's just in case we get separated, killed or otherwise indisposed."

Klein thought of Adler's words and then opened his map." The camp is at Runia, a former ruin 50 miles to the south." He pointed it out and then noticed he had a few messages as well." Hold up." He read a message and then looked up." Looks like they are moving to the south to Stoodhof and should be there by noon. That's a 70 mile ride."

Adler did some calculation.' At a good gallop horses can go up to 20 miles an hour without killing them on the roads. Course if you really needed to get somewhere in a hurry without worrying about the horses then you can get up to 35 miles an hour, but you go any further and they'll get killed soon enough. Given we have troops, if I pay up for some wagons for over 500 bots that's 15 miles an hour at max. Given the alternative of a force march at 7 miles an hour though….' Then aloud he said." So about 5 hours then. I think they can handle that, what with you bringing in new friends. Just tell PM about us ahead so they don't think I'm pulling a fast one."

Klein rattled off the message and then looked back at Adler." You seem to know your left from right. What were you before the game, military?"

Adler shook his head." Na, I worked in an office filing away my days. Sure I did some re-enacting every now and again, like Rusty, but I never really commanded anything in real life side my mini's. You?"

Klein chuckled." I used to also work in an office as well. I never did any real physical stuff or was part of any sport's teams. But I was a nut for samurai and MMO games. Ain't that right boys!" His buddies answered with a shout of agreement. Klein smiled." We were all in line throughout the night WAO was released." He explained." We decided on Averland long before we even were able to pre-order. Of course… well we had another member of our team, he went by the name Basil in the forums and he got shot when we escaped Averheim. That's when things started to go south."

Adler nodded." I've been luckily myself, I've had a few friends from my local game shop sign up for WAO as well. They survived… but I've had comrades and my followers I've had die under my command, far too many." He then smiled." But I am looking forward to make sure their sacrifice is not in vain and to finally put down the PLA."

Klein looked at Adler approvingly." Basil would of wanted of to have fun in the game, but also he wanted us to meet up for beers after a good gaming session. If you come to Japan look me up and I can show you to one of my old dives."

Adler laughed and slapped Kleins back." Sure thing. The problem is that I doubt I'll still have a job when I get home so that Japanese trip will be in a few years at least."

Klein smiled as well and the two continued to talk as they rode up to the castle. Once they reached the gates the knights and Adler dismounted. Klein drew up the knights, a mix of great weapon and sword and board armed troops at the front of the gates, Adler took up the next line with his hand gunners and crossbowmen with the swordsmen and halberdiers taking up the rear.

" Right so I have it that my guys will be following me and I'll follow you and your knights." Adler told Klein. He then turned to Argo, Rusty and Tatianna." You guys will be taking up the responsibility for clearing out the area's that I and knights move on from." He drew his saber and long barreled pistol. Tatianna nodded and said." Sounds like a plan, you boys will be putting your selves in danger over us women and child." She smirked." Next time though I'll be playing the head of the spear, that or I can be on top of things next time." She then stuck out her tongue to him and gave a playful wink.

Adler chuckled and said." So glad I have a ward save against snusnu." He then turned to Klein and said." You have the honors of kicking down the door."

Klein, who used his sword as a great weapon then turned to the door and lifted his left foot. With a thunderous kick the rotten wooden gate fell way and he moved forward with his knights in tow. What they found were zombies, fairly low leveled mobs and expected in the outer rings of the ruined castle defense. The knights needed no help on eliminating them as their skill and armor protected them from the claws of the undead, given they were scattered. It was only after they had fought through the small horde of zombies and to the keep when they started to find better fighters.

Skeletons were the next foe that the imperials face as they made their way into the keep. These creatures were armed with shield and spears and were somewhat dangerous to the knights in that they could fight with some skill. Still they were not up to par as a human NPC. The knights used their shields or gauntlets to fight pass the skeletons to destroy their bony selves. But with the better mobs came that it took time for the knights to dispatch them and this allowed the mobs to get into better places to get a luckily strike with their spear. That would of happened had not Adler's hand gunners opened up along with the crossbow men. They were given time to fire and aim at targets that knights were not engaged with and their projectiles splintered bone as they impacted against the mobs. Shields were splintered and skull's exploded into dozens of little fragments. In just 30 seconds the hall was cleared.

Klein raided up his fist." Hold up guys. Look for loot and let Adler's bot's reload." The witch hunter hadn't even fired his pistol, letting his bots do all the work, but still he let his bots reload as he looked around for loot besides the drops from the skeletons. He let the knights look for the treasure chests that were bound to be around the keep and instead he walked to the various torch holders. Gripping each on he gave a firm tug down on them. On the southern part of the keep he found that the third torch holder he pulled down on gave way. There was a loud noise of rusted gears gaving way and stone work depressing and then opening up the floor next to the torch holder.

Klein looked at the floor and then at Adler." How did you know about that?"

Adler grinned and then took out from his inventory a pole-lamp, as he did so he explained to Klein." This world runs on tropes. We are in a scary castle in a region famous for undead monsters. A lot of old horror movies used this trope to hide rooms in similar situations." He then took out a leather harness and put it over his leather coat and attached the pole-lamp to it. He lit it and then said." So lets see what's hidden down here. Gents in some real armor first."

Klein then took a torch and lit it, leading the way into the spiraling stair case below.' Well he is a witch hunter so he should know about that.' He thought.

His knights followed loudly with their armored feet clanking against the stone work with the hob nails of Adler and his state troops coming up from behind. The knights emerged into a long hall way with enough room for 5 men wide to advance down it. At the same time though to either side there were walled up vaults. Klein led his men and bots forward at a slow pace, sword in one hand and torch in the other. When Adler made it to the hall way he looked around and shouted." Stop! Stop! Hold Up!"

Klein stopped but as he did so he took one step forward and then heard mason work cracking and breaking. His eyes darted to the walled up vaults and saw that skeletal hands and rusted blades started to break through the brick works." Oh shit." He had to think fast… and he realized that if the skeletons could break though that meant the walls were breakable objects to his men's weapons. He shouted to them." Break down the walls, charge into them!" He kicked through a rapidly disintegrating wall and then stabbed forward with his heavy blade into the darkness. The blade connected with and sunk into the heavy armor of the grave guard.

The skeleton looked at Klein and hissed as its armor was pierced. The grave guard then brought it's blade up in an upward swing, trying to take Kleins head. Klein ducked and withdrew his great sword. Then he stabbed again, this time he aimed for the grave guard's throat and decapitated it with the strike. Around him his fellow knights were taking on the other grave guard as they pressed into the vaults. The knights hacked and slashed, defending against the damnable fell blades of the grave guard. Then the deafening boom of a score of hand guns was heard from behind the knights as Adler's missile armed troops unleashed a volley into more grave guards.

"For Sigmar! Kill these undead bastards!" Adler then ordered his swordsmen forward, the horn from the Hochland Purgers sounded as they met with the oncoming undead. Shields met great swords as the imperials held the line against the undead. The swordsmen skill was on par with the knights as they blocked the blows of the undead while dishing out damage of their own. But when the blows the undead did eventually strike a bot it tore through his shield and into the arm below, or into an unprotected region of the man's body. The blade not only connected with the flesh and split bone but across the bot's face was pure horror as he screamed aloud as its worst programmed fears were realized.

But as Adler's swordsmen fell he moved up and the knights finished the last of the grave guard in the vaults. The knights then moved up to support the Hochland Purgers and pushed through the shield wall. While the state troops held the line, Adler and the knights broke through the grave guard. The witch hunters sword flashing in the darkness with his lamp leading the way. He slashed and dodged moving through the undead and when he broke through the grave guard he stabbed them in the back.

Klein and his knights fought through the last of the guard and then met with Adler. He was covered in dust and debris but was not pierced by the blades of the undead. He looked back and counted the knights and looked at the bars of health. He saw that there were slivers of health gone and a few knights were dead along with the state troops, but his friends were safe.

Adler then spoke to the younger man." Klein. This was just the grave guard, we are getting close to a boss or a mid-boss by now."

Klein then nodded and thought.' All these troops, they would just get in the way of a one on one fight. And I don't want to put my boys in any more danger…' He looked at Adler." I will go on alone."

To those words the Witch Hunter shook his head." No. You need someone who can DPS, you're a tank. I'm built against the undead, I'll be joining you kiddo."

Klein knowing an opportunity when saw a good choice didn't argue." Right, you follow me and the rest of you stay here." He then turned to back down the hall way and walked slowly with a torch in one hand and sword in the other, Adler following after him.

As the pair advanced down the hall way they saw dust being unsettled and pushed as a light began to form. Klein stopped it his tracks and readied his torch as if it was a mace." Banshee or Spirits?" He asked Adler.

The witch hunter then raised up his pistol and pulled the hammer back as the form started to take shape." Banshee, single body. Mid boss." He said as the banshee took form, he aimed at it with his pistol.

When the banshee was formed it was of a ghastly green glowing woman with gaunt cheeks. She looked at them and screamed loudly, hurting the pair's ears. But they kept their heads and didn't run nor did they lose any health. When the banshee's health bar appeared Adler shot her in the head and she lost a quarter of her health. As her ghostly eye was blow out and she was stunned, Klein charged forward and struck the banshee with the torch. More of her health was gone with each sliver of health caused by the torch impacting against the ethereal form. From behind Adler's halberdier's drummer and a Hochland singer preformed extremely loud acoustic version of 'Dragula.'

When the Bashee screamed at Klein his damage was not as severe as it would have been without the band player and only part of his bar was gone. He growled through the discomfort and then stabbed his torch into her mouth, her head catching fire. The from behind there was a flash of silver as adler leapt at the Banshee and with a stroke of his blade decapitated her. Her head and body faded away as a parting scream was heard, though none were harmed by it.

Adler holstered his long barreled pistol and then drew his multi-barrel revolver. Klein then moved on after the witch hunter had chosen the new pistol. He soon stood in front of a large copper door, on it was hammered copper bats and bat like faces turned green over the ages. Klein shared a knowing look with Adler." Vampire isn't?"

Adler nodded and said." Luckily not a named one from the table top. If that was the case then it wouldn't be a general decoration. There would be gold and other fancy decoration. I think we have a run of the mill vampire."

Klein looked back to the door." Aren't they on the same line as Grand Masters? I saw Weiss and three players take one down and it was hard fight and was a thrall." He told Adler.

The witch hunter nodded." That is true. At the same time though how long ago was that and what level was Weiss at?"

"Good point." Added Klein." Right, let's take him down. Same as with the banshee?"

Adler then raised up his leg." Close enough." He then slammed it forward and the door was kicked in.

What was revealed as the pair walked into the room was a well illuminated crypt. It was a circular structure with torching lining the room and in its center was a stone sarcophagus. As the two took positions on either side of the door the cover of the sarcophagus open and a pale hand emerged to push the cover off the crypt. Emerging from the sarcophagus a black cloaked figure stood with hardly any movement and then open his eyes. Fangs grew from his mouth as he looked at the fresh meat laid out before him.

Adler had a chuckled at the appearance." He has a fucking tuxedo. Man the dev's were lazy that day." He then pointed his pistol at the vampire and as the green bar appeared along with it's name 'Gorgman'. " Accusation!" Adler shouted and then fired a shot at the undead abomination. The creature dodged, in a blur of movement it moved to the wall to the right of the pair of humans. Then Gorgman charged at Klein, a sword appearing in its right hand. The knight held his sword in a high guard. The blade of the vampire impacted against Klein's steel sword and nearly cleaved it in twain.

Though the vampire blade bit into the sword it also could bite back. Klein then slashed at the vampire, the blade cutting into the beast's side. There was maybe half a percent of health lost from the bar. The vampire moved to attack again when Adler's pistol appeared over Klein's shoulder and he fired the blessed silver bullet into the shoulder of Gorgman, ten percent down from it's high point. The vampire recoiled and roared in pure anger. It then barreled into Klein and the knight's blade broke from the force of impact, as the heavily armored human barreled into Adler, knocking both over.

The vampire leapt onto Klein and in his free hand appeared a dark miasma. Gorgman then pressed the hand into Klein's exposed face. Klein screamed as he felt his face wrinkle and change, his health dropping by chunks. He drew his stiletto and stabbed into the vampires chest. Again more health dropped but not enough. Not nearly enough.

With enough room to just move his saber only up, Adler looked at the knight pinning him down and spoke. "Sorry buddy." Adler then stabbed through Klein's armor and his health appeared to go into the red. Klein screamed in surprise and saw both his health and the vampires dropping fast. Though the magical blade did more damage to the vampire. Adler reached around with both hands, having let go of his weapons, then gripped Gorgman's head and smashed it into the floor. There was hardly a sliver left of health left on the vampires bar. Klein wasn't far behind.

" Your *cough* stabbed me." Klein wheezed as blood dripped from his mouth. Adler looked at the Knight and said." You were dead if I didn't…." He viewed Kleins face and saw it was no longer that of young man but instead an older one in his late 70's.

'Damn I'm sorry son. I don't my healing spell can help and I don't have a dispel scroll.' He looked at the vampire and realized.' But there is a chance you'll survive this game but not this night.' He then kicked his saber out of Klein and grabbed Gorgman. He brought the vampire over to Klein and though the beast struggled Adler over powered it. He drew Kleins stiletto from the vampires chest.

"Sorry Klein. This is gonna suck." He grabbed the knight's hand and put the stiletto into it. He then used Klein's hand to stab into Gorgman's throat. Black and vile blood gushed from the killing blow as it filled in Klein's mouth and he was forced to swallow the vampires unlife.

The Knight coughed violently and his body spased as the last of his health disappeared. His eyed rolled back as the spasms ceased and his body grew limp. Adler through the vampires body to the side and said." Buddy, you're in for a hell of a hangover." He then picked Klein up and moved to the exit.

/

Altdorf, 9:00 AM

All along the parade route NPC's and Non-Combatant Players lined the streets, watching, cheering and throwing confetti along with flowers. On the parade route over 60,000 soldiers marched from the northern gates, though the Koingplatz, over the grand bridge, through the square containing the Grand Temple of Sigmar and then finally pass the Emperor's Palace. They marched to old marching tunes as the British Grenadiers, Fredericus Rex, Battle Hymn of the Republic and Dixie (both of which had lyrics change to reflect the current world the players resided in).

At this moment leading the Imperial Artillery train were the three steam tanks of the Imperial Army Armored Corps, plodding along at the tune of Der Königgrätzer Marsch. Taking the lead was Fury with Sandy standing in the Cupola carrying the banner of Altdorf, a red banner with a black griffon across it. She smiled and waved to the crowds as they cheered on the steam tanks, she was wearing a pair of head phones which hardly impeded her flowing hair. Behind her and to the left was The Lions Roar with a rather sterner faced Katushya carrying Nuln's banner, a white lion across a black field.

Then finally to the back right of Fury was Ulric's Fist with Kazumi standing with the Banner of the White Wolf flying in her hands. The flag was a bright white wolf's head against a blue back ground, though freshly painted onto the side of the turret was white chibi wolf that sat with it's head tilted to the side a new addition. She was quite nervous and waved at the fellow players somewhat less enthusiastically then her fellow tankers. "Come on perk up." Came a voice in her ear from a head set.

Michele pulled her hands away from the far squeaker controls around her neck as she watched Kazumi jump at the voice in her ear. Michele went back to driving the tank and being sure to stay in formation. If she didn't then there was a chance the tank may spurt into the crowds ahead or one of the scores of artillery pieces behind her would crash into her tanks ass. Given the location of the boiler there was a fairly small chance she would make it out before the boiler exploded.

Kazumi waved more energetically and soon heard another voice. This time it was Sandy." Girls get ready we are almost at the VIP booth. When you pass the purple and yellow banners turn your heads left and salute." Kazumi looked a little futher on the route and saw the flag against the Grand Temple of Sigmar and next to the flag was the observation booth which seated the finely dressed and armored VIPs of the Imperial Army.

Kazumi straighten herself and as the tanks passed the flag she turned her head and saluted the VIP Booth. She could feel the eyes of the half dozen races observing her and she hoped they didn't notice her hand trembling. But as they passed by her commanders she saw that they greeted her with smiles and shared words she couldn't hear between the VIPs. When the group were passed the VIP booth Kazumi breathed a sigh of relief and lowered her hand. She turned her head back to the route ahead of her.

She knew what was at the end of it, the road to the north. The road which would lead to Marianburg and a path that would be trodden by tens of thousands of imperial soldiers.

Reck watched the tanks pass by and couldn't help but notice the female commanders in each of them. Intrigued by the sight he turned to Mortimer and asked." Why is it that you have only girls commanding the tanks?"

The Lector answered, continuing to look down at the ranks of Imperial Artillery rolling by on their limbers." It's actually a design flaw with the game. You see when Fury was unlocked it was by an average sized man, but the tank was designed to be an average sized man of the 16th century. He and fellow crewman couldn't fit in it so it fell to Sandy to take owner ship of the Tank. We then sent the news down to Nuln and Middenheim and they worked to level up their female engineers. Down in Nuln that was by having them work over time in the engineering section of the city and with Middenheim… well Kazumi from what I understand ran with the Outriders and maxed out her skill with gunpowder weapons, even with a swivel gun she managed to attach to a one horse limber."

Reck nodded." Outriding is a hard job with rouges and mobs roaming the roads and to do it with a cannon? We're damn lucky to have her on our side."

Steve answered before Mortimer could of." And we are lucky to have you on ours. Speaking of which how goes the movement of your troops?"

Reck snorted." A thousand each, that's all I can really muster. A thousand players to move to the north and a thousand to go to the south, roughly 20,000 bots each and plenty of big monsters to go along with them."

Steve looked content and looked back to the parade." Good, I'm going to need all the help I can get when going up against the Marianburgers. My bolter can be useful but a single gun isn't going to win the war."

/

Averland, 20 miles east of the Border with Nuln, 9:00AM

"Don't move… don't move you son of bitch… die!" Likes Gaming then pressed the lighter to the sakers pin hole and with a 'whosh-boom' the cannon's muzzle engulfed in flame and smoke, pushing the gun back a yard. Oak watched the iron shot arc through the air and sail to the castle exactly 1,500 yards away. He watched as it made it's way down from it's high point and then impact against the gunner on the top most portion of the keep.

As the gunner exploded into red gory mist Oak exclaimed." Bang on Bombardier! Right let's get this baby ready to go again." He collapsed his telescope and then turned back to the Saker, Likes Gaming and the newest member of their team Delia. Delia had arrived the night before surprising him and the rest of his regiment, but after some words with Ikari she was allowed to stay with the regiment so long as she didn't interfere with the operation of the cannons. On the contrayer she had proved to be very helpful in that she helped move the gun back into position, poured water on it when it got to hot and was a morale booster for Oak.

Delia finished helping to move the gun into place with Likes Gaming and ran a hand across her forehead, wiping some sweat away. It was hard work working the guns for the past few hours in her armor and in her fur. It may have been late summer with autumn soon approaching but still the heat was rising as was working with gun powder. The men had opened their coats in the heat, allowing for some relief while if she did the same… well the effect would have been fairly distracting to the boys from her sweat drenched form. She looked to the castle and asked her fellow crew mates." It's a ruin now, how much longer are we going to be here?"

The castle was at one time a round structure with three layers of defensive walls getting ever higher till the keep was left leaving it the highest of all three. Over the past two hours of bombardment from the professional Brunswick Corps though there were close to 20 breeches in the walls and all but 3 guns in the fort continued to stubbornly fire. Those were from the main batteries of cannons, where's Likes Gaming and a few other crews were used more for glorified sniper work on enemy cannons. Furthermore the defenders were reduced to only a few score from both the cannons and fire from the musketry of the infantry, leaving only sporadic cracks of gun fire from the fortress.

Oak answered her and pointed to the lines of halberdiers and swordsmen formed up and marching to the castle, revealed from the pause in bombardment fire when the smoke lifted." As soon as the foot sloggers mop up we'll be moving onto another castle or town. Depends on what the bosses want to take next. Like that border fort we took last night… well my old 'reg did." Said Borderfort was taken last night with the Imperial Green Jackets launching a raid and fighting their way through in a surprise and took it without a single player causality. Bot's did fall but considering they could be replaced fairly easily they were not missed.

Oak then set about getting a powder charge as Delia Looked out onto the fields below. Her enhanced eyes looked over the human state troops but also to something else." Why are there engineers working on trench lines?" She looked back.

After Likes Gaming finished cleaning the barrel, Oak set the powder charge to the muzzle. As the teenager rammed the powder charge down the barrel Oak answered." It's for when we need to get back to Nuln. That's a clear field of fire we can use to slow up any of your ex countrymen." Likes Gaming went back to rear of the gun to prime the charge and Oak said." Right back to business darling, clear the muzzle and get the bucket ready to cool down the gun." Oak ran to get the round shot as Delia retrieved a new bucket of water. Bots under control of Oak and Likes Gaming fetched fresh buckets of water to help keep the gun. Without the buckets the gun could over heat, bend or if there was a charge in the barrel then it could explode in a devastating explosion.

Delia went to the line of the bots and took a bucket from a 10 powder monkey, pressed into fetching buckets from a nearby steam. As she took it from the bot she heard the boy speak." Here you go Miss Delia. Tell Bombardier Likes Gaming to get those Averlanders good."

Every strand of fur on Delia's body stood up in that moment. When the bot spoke he did so like a real child and the words he said were not at all like the preprogramed adulations to Sigmar or generic curses. She was about to say something to him when she heard the cannon belonging to her love go off. It broke her out of her trance and she went back to him with the bucket in her hands, yet still she felt her body waver as she realized.' He… he knew who we were.'

/

The Moot, outside of Eicheschatten, 12:23 PM

Duncan found the march fairly eerie passing through the moot and now the outskirts of the capitol city of the Halflings. The Halfling boots had been shadowing his army, a combined force of Orcs and Averlanders, since last night. There were well over 7,000 bots in his army now with the infusion of the orcs, that should of made the halberdier sergeant feel safe… but still it didn't.

Marching through the night he felt the eyes of hundreds of short beady eyed hobbit's on him, though he couldn't see them out right and even if he did see something it would be from the corner of his eye. It felt as though the rest of the moot was waiting and watching for the opportune moment to strike against his force. Which was strange because bots were not supposed to think like that… then again it could be his mind playing tricks on him.

As his own column passed by Eicheschatten he felt his balls crawl up into his body. The entire Averlander/Orc force passed by not only the Halfling's capitol but also a rather large army of the hobbits. Numbering at least ten thousand the army of Halflings were gathered outside of the capitol in some semblance of order. They were divided up into dozens of regiments, some were mounted while others wore heavy armor and carried great weapons in a parody of Imperial Greatswords. They were not all militia, or even Halflings with a few dozen being Ogres into their own regiment.

Instead of attacking like their cousins did the day before in mass charges, they just stood, waited and watched the passing army. Given that the PLA was better equipped and possessing of giants, cannons and a device the orcs had cooked up called a 'war rig' that would of given a player a pause. Bots on the other hand? That was just unnatural.

The glares he also received felt fairly unnerving like they knew what the Averlanders did, rather than what they could have done. He didn't feel any guilt about what he did back in that Hobbiton clone, but he felt a lot of collective emotion from the bots. He averted his gaze from the Halfling's. He set about to keep on marching to the east. It was a fight he was looking forward to, as well as the orcs who were especially gungho about hunting down the stunties in Sylvania. At least they would be out of the Moot and away from the halflings.

The army soon stopped though in front of the city and Duncan could see the problem. A column of skaven had come join up with them and now they had arrived. He could see the rat men making their way to the column and let them pass by. But on the players faces he could see they were clearly scared of something. Duncan called out to one of them, this player was armed with a jezzail." What's up, you look like you saw a ghost."

Wizzel looked at Duncan with tried eyes." We heard howling all through the night while we marched here. No fighting, no sight of beastmen, we only… we only heard the howling." Then he moved on. Jumping into a wagon and setting his soldiers to follow David while he set about getting some sleep.

Soon the column was moving again and Duncan was more concerned than before.' Howling yet no beastmen. The hell is going on with this game?'

/

Sylvania, Stoodhof, 1:30 PM

Roshi looked at the oncoming wagons and knights with a serious grimace. Next to her was Weiss, Desiree, Kirito and Kurt wearing similar expressions of displeasure. Ahead of them the knights in service to Weiss rode at the head of the column while coming up behind was a column of several score wagons, and a giant at the end of the column, with a group of players at its head. Weiss handled the knights when they rode up so he could talk to him, while Roshi walked with the other non-humans to the front of the wagon. She had them all put on their best armor and she had decided to wear her own helmet which covered her face save for the eye holes.

She spoke aloud and directly to Adler, ignoring the other players." Herr Adler, I want to ask you what in the hell possessed you to stab one of my knights and highest ranked Imperial NCO in the back?" Her voice was that of a pleased woman but just barely contained anger.

Adler bowed slightly and tipped his hat to her." Frau Rin I can only say that at the time it was either both of us or a vampire who would of taken both of our lives and most likely more players. I will admit that it was a split decision and a hard one but considering the alternative of certain death I hope you can forgive me."

Roshi then decided to make Adler squirm by not saying a word in English, but rather speak to her constituents in Khazalid." Doh umgi, thagha Klein. Un ek surrey. Surreyor skrund bote smakanu darsaz!" There was chuckling from Kirito, Kurt and Desiree as the words translated to them and not to the humans.' He back stabbed Klein. And he says he sorry. I'm sorry I have to stick a boot up his arse!"

The laughing though was cut short when Adler replied in near perfect Khazalid." Kleinit azul grom umgi. Surrey aggan. Or can ad offa throgi dammaz." Or in the English tongue.' Klein was a reliable and brave warrior. Again sorry. All I can offer is my army for grudge.'

6 different heads shot a look of confusion at him, including Tatianna and Rusty, though Argo just took the revelation with an unsurprised gander. Roshi asked." How do you know my language? It doesn't auto translate for human players."

Adler cracked a smile." I learned it IRL with Grudgelore and in the game. I will admit there are no subtitles and my wording can use some refinement but I think it gets the point across." He then pointed to the back of his wagon." Also I brought Klein as well and he needs a burial." There was a simple pine box in the back of the wagon, unadorned with no markings." It's a little gesture but trust me when I say I respect what you are doing and I do not want to insult any of you." He spoke in a serious tone as he held the gaze of Roshi.

Roshi stared at him a little longer to gauge his face to make sure he was not lying. She saw no reason not to believe him and took off her helmet." Welcome to the Silver Seekers. You may dismount your troops from the wagons and have them join up with Weiss's forces. That includes your skaven and beastmen friends."

Kirito then narrowed his eyes at Adler and smirked with a wide elfish grin." Make sure not to camp to close to us or the knights. Klein was friends with most of us here and it would be a shame if we found you fallen on your sword…."

The dwarfen commander pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed." I don't think we need to give our new ally any more reasons to back stab us."

To that Adler sighed and nodded." Yes ma'am. I came down here to help your army not to hinder it. I'm sorry about the bad first impression and I hope to make up for it."

While Adler was talking Argo was looking through her messages and after Adler finished speaking she said." And he'll have a good opportunity soon. There is a PLA force about to reach the eastern border of the moot and enter Sylvania."

Roshi turned her head back to the skaven woman." How do you know this?"

Argo said while keeping her eyes on the messages." I'm the great and knowledgeable Argo of the Daily Argo. I've got sources in PLA territory and they inform me of certain events."

Roshi bit her lip and felt the stares of the elves and Desiree fall back onto her. She answered deftly." I'll inform Weiss and we'll be having a conversation with you later today. We won't be lingering here for very long if that is the case.

Adler then spoke up." I'll be joining Argo soon. I need to see to it that Klein is buried right away if we are to be leaving soon."

Kurt then said to Adler, a confused expression on what portions of his face that were visible under his helmet." His body should of pixelated by now… and why are you so insistent on burring him."

Adler looked at Kurt and spoke." He needs to have a burial, its only proper I dig his grave since I did technically kill him and the reason why is because he was cursed at the end of our boss battle."

Roshi waved him off." Do your rituals but be quick about it. Weiss will want to talk to you about what your role will be in our army."

Adler tipped his hat again." Thank you ma'am. Tati I need your help." The pair dismounted the wagon and got to work.

/

Less than a half hour later the pair walked into Stoodhof's inn, which was serving as a defacto command center for the expedition. Tatianna and Adler saw the command table which sat the welcoming committee from earlier, with Roshi at it's head and the older German at her right with Argo to Roshi's left. Tatianna took her seat at the opposite end to Roshi and Adler took his seat to her right. Tatianna said to Weiss." On behave of the beastmen I apologize for my fiancée's actions earlier today." She was not pleased with what he did and even less so that they had to spend the past 20 minutes digging a shallow grave at a crossroads. She may not of paid much attention to rituals back home but she knew when an action was disrespectful. This was surprising since she knew her future husband was one to go to church and speak of respecting the dead.

Adler spoke up." And I would like to apologize for my actions as well. From what I understand herr Klein was with you from the start of the game and a loyal man."

Weiss leaned back and said with a partial look of displeasure." After the war is over with Averland I expect you Adler not to set foot in Stirland again. Until then I will work with you to defeat the PLA. Are we understood?"

Adler spoke with respect." Crystal clear sir."

"Good." Weiss said and then turned to Argo." Rin has told me that you have information on the Averlanders moving through the moot."

Argo then unfolded a map of the eastern Empire and pointed to the moot land." My sources have told me a force of about 8 thousand bots and over 150 players are making their way to Sylvania. The army was passing by Eicheschatten about an hour ago. The army itself is a mix force of Averlanders, mostly Orcs and a few skaven. The orcs apparently have something called War Rigs."

Every male gamer over the age of twenty, Desiree and Roshi looked at Argo with different levels of concern. Tatianna could read the expression and asked." What are War Rigs? I never heard of them in the game."

Kurt spoke up." They are not from this game, it's not even a 40K item. It's straight out of Mad Max." He looked at Argo and then said." Is it steam or gas powered?"

Argo shook her head." My contact didn't say what it was powered with suffice to say it has room for at least one siege engine on it and there are swivel guns on it along with plenty of spikes. But it's positively orcish in creation."

" That depends on if it has red paint on it or not. Since the red ones go faster." That got a chuckle from Adler and Weiss continued." I have an idea that these War Rigs are in fact War Wagons, but how different they are from the original designs we'll see soon." He looked over the map and then said. They will be over the border in a few hours."

Roshi had a personal map open, a detailed version of Sylvania, she added her own thoughts." There is a watch tower we can march to tonight. After that we can lure the Averlanders south and fight them here."

Weiss and the other officers nodded, including Adler and Argo. That was except for Tatianna. She looked at the map then Roshi." You need to draw them south though and make it impossible for them not to come our direction. I see another path they can take and without them knowing which way to go they could wander off in the wrong direction and we have to fight them no longer on a place of our choosing."

Adler leaned over and whispered to his fiancée." That was fun class. Speaking of which do you still have that school girl uniform I gave you?"

"Later. Later." She pushed him away with a coy smile on her face. Adler smirked and sat back in his chair.

Roshi nodded." That we will. It will require some skirmishing though and a few other surprises we have."

Kirito looked at the map." Where they will be in a few hours… it will require fast riders to get their attention and escape." He was excited since he knew who would be required to for that mission.

Roshi nodded." Indeed. Silith will take the lead, Kirito and Kurt you'll be following him. Kurt bring your Silver Helms and Reavers, but leave the dragon princes here. I'll have the A2-C2 meet up with you at the Fire Marshes and you can use that to cause plenty of chaos and get the Averlanders coming to the south."

That was when the fur covered hand of Argo rose and a knowing smile appeared on Adler's face. When Roshi acknowledged the ratwoman Argo spoke to the group." To really make sure that the Averlanders come after us I would recommend that you send Adler along with your elves and make sure he gets their attention specifically on them."

Before there could be any protest Weiss preemptively interrupted them." I know herr Adler via reputation. Last year we had the same position as rebels and I know what he did in the uprising. He is hated by the PLA and if they know he is in the field they will hunt him down. The same way the orcs want nothing more than to get their hands on the Silver Seekers. I will allow Adler to travel with the elves."

Adler nodded." Thank you sir. I leave my troops in your care then." He then opened his menu and Weiss did as well. He then transferred himself to Weiss's command with his soldiers under his command if only temporary.

Roshi spoke as the transfer was being taken off." Kurt, Kirito show Adler to Silith and see to it you send in Weiss's, Sanjay and my own sub commanders. We need to discuss our plans for tomorrows actions."

Kurt and Kirito stood and Adler leaned over to hug Tatianna." Be sure to look after Rusty." Adler said to her.

She pat Adlers back." I will." She let him go and Adler stood and joined the two elves.

As Kirito and Kurt led Adler through the camp, Adler could feel the glares from the various players.' Welp I guess this is Role Playing, when you're a witch hunter you're supposed to get all sorts of evil glares….' He then said aloud with a smile across his face to the two honor guards." So who is this Silith person?"

Kurt gave a curt reply." He's a dark elf sorceress who is a guy."

Adler nodded." I see so he decided to play as female and got his gender mixed up then at the start of the game." He then looked ahead to the elf encampment. He could see there were about 6 more elven players of dark and light verity. He saw a dark elf who-

Adler ran forward past his honor guard and shouted." Dude! Coop!"

Silith turned to the voice. He had since up graded his gear to include a staff in addition to his khain blessed daggers, he also now wore a heavy leather cloak to protect his back. Cooper saw Adler and shouted." Ruffy!"