The trench car sped along the tracks at a speed that astounded Corrin. For its heavy and cumbersome weight, the little car was like lightning. He saw slight glimpses of the world above passing by; smoking bunkers, charging men, grey sky. It was truly all out war. He could tell the siege of the Capitalis had ended however. The Imperials had begun to advance.
Jasper sat in the Corner, staring out of the back sight, towards the light from which they had emerged. Corrin sat opposite, perched at the front of the car.
"We don't have much time." Jasper said sadly. "They are advancing." Corrin was simply silent. He hoped they were close. He could not stand another moment without his city, the city of Glory. He knew, finally, he was in his place. He would fight and die here. His corpse would be driven under the soil of the lush city greenery.
"Don't worry," he finally sighed, "I see the light." And he did. It closed, faster and faster; his home.
"What's that sound…" Jasper muttered suspiciously. Corrin looked behind; nothing. His head swung about. Now it was closing faster, and Corrin saw. This was not a light; it was a missile.
"Frak! Jump!" he roared, throwing himself against the door. It split and opened. The two men leapt from the platform and onto the hard, dark soil below. There was a blast. Flames shot from the car as it crashed to the ground below them.
Corrin stood and shook. The pain disappeared. Jasper had no such quality of healing, and Corrin offered him his hand as he lay on the ground. With a grunt, the Marine stood and nodded in thanks.
"I think we hit 'em." someone muttered. Then, Corrin heard him.
"Yeah, bastards will never come out of that mess."
"Frak Grange! You almost killed me!" Corrin bellowed. There was silence for a moment.
"Corrin?" Grange finally asked tentatively. A light clicked on, and a figure moved around the wreckage. His red cloak and enormous, biomechanical arm gave him away immediately. They made a warrior's embrace. "I thought you were lost in the drop!"
"I thought it was just me and Jasper!" Corrin said, overjoyed.
"Come on, its time for you to finally find out what's going on!" Grange laughed. Corrin smiled. He could use information. For the first time, he realized how out of touch he had been. All he knew was that the Imperials hadn't won. Of course, that was all that mattered.
They moved around the burning wreckage of the trench car. Jasper limped along, still quiet. Corrin turned and watched him, still heading up the steep trek. Suddenly, he felt warmth; the warmth of the sun.
He looked away quickly, back forwards. He breathed in a supply of air and looked about. He was back in Glory. The steep pillars of the magnificent city still stood strong, a shield dancing blue light across their silvery metal.
The pathways, flanked by green growth and beautiful flora, were perfect; faultless. And as they moved down the way, Corrin looked at the many familiar, beautiful buildings.
"We're going to Bunker Vectum." Grange explained as they moved across the maze of paths.
"I know it." Jasper and Corrin said in unison. Soldiers marched along the walkways, perfect and powerful. Their will would not break. Corrin felt a strong sense of respect for them. As they recognized his face, he saw many gasp and look open mouthed. He saw dozens of salutes and cheerful nods.
The city began to ascend upon the great hill, Libran. This would be the last proving ground for many, many people like him; many Merican soldiers. They had arrived. As Grange turned the corner, Corrin prepared himself. This would be the first time he had been in Vectum since basic training four years before.
The building was a sturdy and foreboding as ever, its arched, Terran Medieval architecture giving a strong feel, while conveying beauty. Unlike castles of those times, the Bunker was formed from the most powerful steel alloy found.
"We're here!" Jasper shouted, surprising both Grange and Corrin. The marine charged forward and fell to his knees before the great fortification. This Bunker was essentially Jasper's home, as a Marine.
"Come on Jasper." Corrin said quietly as he patted his friend on the shoulder. The Guerilla stood and followed them in, slowly. The door stayed closed. "Corrin Grant." Corrin spat.
A small speaker emerged. "The name said has deceased." Corrin froze in shock. They thought he was dead.
"Jasper Hijurnas," Jasper said.
"Welcome Captain." the speaker said. The door opened.
"I can't believe it." Someone said sourly. "Haha! Corrin!" the voice changed dramatically to a happy, giddy tone. The Supreme Commander emerged from the bunker and made for Corrin. He patted the famous Soldier on the shoulder and pushed him. "We all thought you were dead!"
"I thought you were likewise sir." Corrin said.
"Well, I may as well be. Come inside. So much to talk about."
They had entered some form of map room. The Commander immediately shot for the huge map of the city.
"The Capitalis, in short, is falling." He said as the three men entered. "The Northern Sector has been completely overrun. Luckily, the last trench train just fell from there. They will have a longer time to reach us."
"Sir, the shields." Jasper said.
"That is another problem. They have been bombing for days. We are at 10 percent. Not extraordinary…"
"And what of Riktus?" Corrin asked.
"You haven't heard?" the Commander said in awe.