21st of Rajiona, 6E219
The Citadel, Caer Endaris, Royal Rejionowa
~09:00
"Elves?" General Komarovich asks as he reads over stack or papers. He has a perplexed face. "Like, honest to god, pointy eared bloody elves?"
The subordinate, a young captain, nods. "Aye sir, best our intelligence in Canda reports, the elves were a surprised to run into the Candans they were to find elves in white boats landing on their eastern shore." He reports.
"And this… Grey Havens is where they say they were bound?" General Komarovich inquires as he reads further along on another page.
"Er… yes, sir. The elves seem to consider it some sort of… final destination. Like… a land of peace or paradise or something. At least, that's what our agents in Canda have gathered. Communication is apparently at a stand still as the elves have no diplomatic connections." The captain explains.
"And this Middle Earth? Gondor, Rohan? These are the major human nations?" The General asks as he reads over a document titled "Report on nations and ethnic regions of Middle Earth".
"Correct, sir. There are others, namely Harad, Rhun, and some others. There is also the Shire, which is the territory of the Hobbits." The captain explains.
"Interesting. What about this?" The General asks as he holds up a document titled "Mordor and the 'Dark Lord Sauron'".
"Right… apparently there is a rogue state in Middle Earth, run by that one, Sauron. He has stated his desire of total conquest and has executed a series of wars without reasonable casus belli to that end. The main targets of Mordor's aggression are the aforementioned Rohan and Gondor." He reports. "Furthermore, it appears that Mordor has had the upper hand in the fighting and Rohan and Gondor have begun to experience intense economic strain."
General Komarovich nods, chewing his lip. "Thanks." He stamps the documents and then puts them all in an envelope. "Get these to the Trimarchy, they will probably be interested in seeing this." He orders.
The captain salutes, takes the documents, and leaves.
General Komarovich sighs. He pulls a bottle of vodka out of his desk, pours himself a shot and downs a round. He then stands up to go for a walk in the Royal Park. He had a feeling he may be very busy in the coming days.
23rd of Rajiona, 6E219
Ivory Palace, Caer Endaris, Royal Rejionowa
~07:00
"You will be reporting at noon today to the harbor. Your mission will be taking you south-west to the Markesian Commonwealth, where you will meet up with a Markesian 9th Corps Platoon which will attach to your company. From there you will depart south-east and round the Horn of Canda and begin the long eastward journey to Middle Earth, where your goal is to begin a diplomatic mission to the peoples of Rohan, Gondor, The Shire, Mirkwood, the Lonely Mountain, Dale, the Iron Hills, Rivendell, and Lothlorien. The nation of Mordor is considered highly hostile and as such you are to be prepared for combat. To which end, I give you, under federal authority, the right to execute your mission by whatever means you find necessary to see your mission to success." High King Endarius Teledor speaks to the man before him, Captain Kasimir Clausewitz, a captain of the Royal Marines with a Raider certification. As part of the Royal Marine's elite forces, he was perhaps the best option available at a moment's notice.
"Aye, sir. Will my squad also be with me?" Captain Clausewitz asks.
Endarius nods. "Affirmative. You will meet up with them at the docks. You are dismissed with post haste." Endarius dismisses Kasimir, who salutes and departs quickly and makes his way to the docks.
23rd of Rajiona, 6E219
ERS Królowa Wojny, Bay of Dalatar, Caer Endaris, Royal Rejionowa
~13:00
Sergeant First Class Tramel Klein was the last on the ship. He helps Kasimir remove the gangplank and minutes later, the ship is slowly pulling away from the dock. He then looks around at his comrades, their medic, August Tiber, their marksman Victor Kevlov, their sappers Jozef Rilecki and Erik Adolphus, and the rest of his squad. He then looks at Kasimir.
"All present and accounted for, sir." Tramel salutes and reports. Kasimir simply chuckles.
"No need for such formalities, Sergeant. We're all brothers in arms, save the formalities for formal occasions." Kasimir waves off the salute.
Tramel chuckles. "Aye aye, cap'."
"What the fuck is a Middle Earth? Are they inside the planet? You can't be in the middle on a damn sphere. Do they mean Equatorial Earth? Still a rather bland and nigh taciturn name..." Junior Corporal Imad Ibn Rahad remarks as he sits on a crate above decks. Junior Corporal Walter Tronig and Akira Kusaragi look at him, amused.
"Do you ever stop complaining?" Walter asks, suppressing a chuckle.
"I'll stop complaining when there stops being things to complain about. Besides, I'm not complaining, I'm making a rational remark about the fundamental error the people of this continent have made in naming their continent." Imad retorts.
Akira laughs. "Still sounds like bitchin'." He remarks.
"Oi, screw off back to your sauna of an island, shorty." Imad pouts.
"Shorty?" Akira raises an eyebrow. "You do realize you are only two fingers' width taller than me, right?"
"Three times better looking than you though." Imad responds.
"Doesn't matter when we've never even seen you with a woman. We won't shun you if that's that the team you play for..." Walter speaks up quietly, smirking.
"Tsk, I just have particular tastes." Imad pouts.
"Yeah, he's dying alone." Akira chuckles.
"So, how bad d'ya think this Middle Earth is gonna be?" Private Erwin Kessel asks, looking at his comrades, Private Piotr Trebsky and Private Hans Ragnar.
"Well, if this Mordor is enough to have the advantage on to major powers, I would say it's not to preposterous to expect the situation to be rather shitty." Hans responds, as he reaches into the crate of dried apples and pulls one out. He bites into it and flops back on his hammock, staring at the boards of the ceiling, threads of light shining through the cracks.
"Agreed. Albeit, I do hope it's not so bad we don't make it back in one piece." Piotr remarks.
Erwin nods. "Well, we got Tramel with us, and Kasimir is almost as bright as his father and grandfather."
"Aye, though, I'll take Kasimir's smarts over the brains of an architect and an astronomer." Hans says, chuckling.
"Of course." Erwin nods.
"Nervous?" Piotr asks, looking at Erwin.
"Well… This is my first major mission, and it's into explicitly hostile territory. Territory we are wholly unfamiliar with. So, aye, I'd say I'm a tad nervous." Erwin replies.
"Don't worry. You'll do fine. Keep your head on straight, look after your mates, and don't be a hero, and you'll do just fine." Hans speaks reassuringly.
Erwin nods quietly.
2nd of Brzeszczny, 6E219
Stormwind Palace, Stormwind, Elwynn Forest, the Alliance
~11:00
Matou and Leonhard bow before the man sitting on the throne in front of them, King Varian Wrynn of Stormwind and the Alliance.
"I am Matou Takeda, Agent of the Endarian Empire." Matou introduces himself.
"I am First Sergeant Leonhard Schuller in the Endarian Royal Marines." Leonhard follows up with his introduction.
"You come to my halls but my men report that you are not emissaries." King Wrynn responds.
"That we are not. However, we are able to, in some degree, represent the Endarian Imperial Republic. On my word and the honor of the nation of Endaria, I promise you that we are here under peaceful intentions however. We are simply a small expedition sent to investigate abroad after Endaria detected a change in our environment." Matou speaks up, taking the lead for his party.
"That may be so, but I must still be cautious, we are at war after all." King Wrynn replies. "You have had no contact with the Horde, correct?" He continues.
"Correct. You are the first group of people we have made contact with and all contact thus far has been with your people." Matou answers. He had been told of the Horde by their Alliance escorts during the journey to Stormwind.
"However, I am certain the Trimarchy would be most interested in establishing a discourse with the Alliance, your majesty." Leonhard speaks up.
King Wrynn looks at Leonhard. "What can your Empire offer?" He asks.
Leonhard straightens his back proudly. "Well, your majesty, firstly, vast amounts of raw resources, luxury resources, and foodstuffs. Furthermore, our industrial capacity is massive, allowing the production of immense amounts of goods." Leonhard explains.
"We also would prefer to be on friendly terms with the peoples of this new world we are investigating." Matou adds.
King Wrynn raises an eyebrow. "Including with the Horde?"
Matou nods. "Aye, your majesty. We wish to not get involved with any wars that do not serve the Endarian interest. We have no casus belli on any group or nation in this world at present and as such, we wish to maintain a peaceful disposition."
King Wrynn nods. "Neutrality often means propping up both sides. Would you seek to trade with the Horde as well?" He asks, looking at Matou.
"That entirely depends upon diplomacy. Endaria will pursue the deals that best serve it." Matou explains.
"Spoken like a true realist..." King Wrynn nods. "I guess I see no reason not to at least dispatch an emissary to travel back with you." He continues.
Matou and Leonhard both bow.
"We are most pleased with that decision your majesty." Matou replies.
"I will make sure everything is ready by tomorrow. Until then, you may take your leave. Please obey the laws of the Alliance during your stay." King Wrynn dismisses them.
4th of Brzeszczny, 6E219
Caer Markesia, Markesian Commonwealth
~13:00
"Lieutenant Martov Anders, commander of Devil Platoon of the Markesian 9th Corps, at your service." Lieutenant Anders shakes Kasimir's hand. Kasimir smiles and observes the 43 men behind Anders. They all had the air of hardened, crack soldiers about them.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant Anders." Kasimir replies.
"You must be tired. Lord Markosoran invites you and your men to enjoy the city for the evening." Lieutenant Anders smiles.
"Ah, wonderful. I could use a good stretch before we set out tomorrow." Tramel sighs in relief after hearing that.
"Thank you." Kasimir says simply, smiling.
"I won't keep you, as we have already been briefed on our mission. So, enjoy your stay in the city." Anders steps back and salutes Kasimir, who salutes back.
~18:00
"God, I fuckin' love this city!" Akira cheers.
Imad looks at him, surprised. "Why?"
"Well, it's clean for one. Gorgeous architecture and very splendid city planning. Not to mention, the weather is wonderful. It's like a vacation. I'd be drinking if I could sleep in." Akira replies, grinning.
Imad nods. "True, it's a nice city… Hey, what do you think Walter is up to?"
"Bah! He's probably getting some books from the palace library." Akira responds, thrusting a thumb at the palace, a gorgeous, massive building built on top of the towering plateau at the center of the concentric ring city. Half way up the plateau, a ring of the city had been built, a district that sat elevated above the rest of the city.
"You know, didn't the report mention that Gondor had a concentric ring city that had various elevations? Like Caer Markesia?" Imad wonders as he looks at the palace.
"Now that you mention it… I think you might be right. It will be interesting to see." Akira nods.
"Aye, agreed. Now, lets go find some food. I'm starving." Imad pats his belly for emphasis.
~19:00
"Go man! Grow a pair and talk to her!" Piotr pushes Erwin urgently, grinning.
"N-now, I don't think that's a good idea. I think she's looking at you." Erwin stammers an excuse as he almost spills his beer from being pushed.
"Nah, she is definitely checking you at, Erwin." Hans looks at Erwin, grinning.
Erwin glances at the woman in question. She was young, with sea green eyes and auburn hair. She smiles at him and waves. He simply blushes and sips his beer.
"Come on, man. We leave tomorrow, so what if you fuck it up." Piotr urges Erwin on.
"I just don't kno-" Erwin is interrupted by Hans and Piotr shoving him to the woman with a grin.
Erwin looks at the woman and blushes and greets her.
Piotr looks at Hans. "So, what now?"
"Hrm… Let's go hit a chess lounge." Hans says after a moment.
"Sounds good." Piotr nods and pays for his drink.
Hans pays for his drink and they leave to go find a lounge.
~20:00
"I'd say that about covers the list." Jozef says as he crosses off the items on the list. He finishes stowing everything in his pack. He looks at Erik.
"Aye, I don't think my pack can carry anymore and this is enough to get us through a couple sieges and battles." Erik agrees, nodding.
"Shall we get back then?" Jozef asks. He shoulders his pack.
"Yeah, let's stop and get a bite on the way back though." Erik responds. As if to agree with this proposal, his stomach growls. He chuckles. "Yeah, definitely time for dinner." He looks at Jozef and grins.
"Aye, I could go for some dinner as well. What should we get?" Jozef asks.
"Well, considering this may the last time we get some good Endarian food for a while, I say we go for some Motu cuisine. Nothing like something spicy before an adventure." Erik grins. But Jozef just shakes his head and laughs.
"Yeah, when you're on land maybe. Camping the toilet on a ship because you ate something damn hot is a bad way to start an adventure." Jozef responds.
"So? It's good food." Erik shrugs.
"Fair point. I guess some Motu wouldn't be bad. Let's go." Jozef concedes and gets moving. Erik follows him.
5th of Brzeszczny, 6E219
~06:00
Erwin yawns and rubs his eyes as he waits to board the ship. Cargo was first to be taken onboard. He sighs tiredly. It was this early and already, it was hot and humid. Piotr, Hans, and Imad look at Erwin. Hans raises an eyebrow. Piotr leans over and sniffs Erwin. Erwin tiredly gives Piotr and odd look, but Piotr was grinning wildly.
"I smell a lady's perfume." Piotr is the first to speak.
Erwin blushes and looks around. Now Akira, Jozef, and Erik were looking at him too. Jozef, Akira, and Hans were all grinning. Imad and Erik and a glint of amusement in their eyes.
"Well, little Erwin has done us proud." Hans laughs and pats Erwin on the back. "We told you she was eyeing you."
"Do we have to talk about this right now? This is kind of a personal matter..." Erwin speaks quietly, embarrassed. He glances around and looks at the ship, wishing he could go ahead and board.
"Come on! This is a cause for celebration! How did it go my man? How long did you last?" Piotr pries, grinning.
"I'm not talking about it." Erwin responds.
Walter glances over at the group. "Now, let Erwin be. If he doesn't want to talk about it, then let him stand by his decision. Pat him on the back and then drop it." He speaks up. Erwin sighs in relief and to his good fortune, the others let him be.
"Alright! All aboard!" Kasimir calls out a moment later. The entire group sighs in relief and begins boarding the ship.
"Say your goodbyes men! This is the last time we will be seeing Endaria for a long time!" Tramel shouts as he boards the ship and removes the gangplank. The men glance at the town and take in the sight as the ship begins to pull away from the city.