March 18, 2017 of the Gregorian calendar
Entering the city was one thing, but taking the city was another matter in itself. They had just finished clearing the gate when they came under fire from legionnaires hiding in dark upper windows and rooftops of the buildings on either side of the street. The M3's bushmaster chugged along as it blasted into whatever the Saderans fired from but the infantry still had to clear them out. The turret of the IFV turned to the left while it readied its TOW to breach the building, the shockwave rattled through the bones of everybody as a hole was forcefully blasted open.
The troops wasted no time in getting inside where the tavern was cleared of all hostiles present on the floor. "Clear!" Calls out Collins as he checks the far right corner of the establishment where he gets the same responses. "Good." Says Thompson, "Nice work." The moment he finished his sentence a bullet flys and hits him in the back but the body plates absorb the impact well. "Ah shit!" There was a hole in the roof behind him where a Saderan had tried to kill him from. "Engage! Engage!" Johnson squeezed his trigger as fast as his could as bullets swarmed the position where the shooter was, if not killing then definitely deterring him from using that spot again.
"We have to get upstairs." He states as they in single filled line prepare to clear the floor above them while a portion of the men stayed behind to keep the enemy's attention fixed to the hail of gunfire coming from below. The stairs were on the opposite side so they had the chance to catch them by surprise, the soldiers trying to be as silent as possible. Thompson was the first one in the line and blasted two saderans before they could shoot him, spraying a burst just below the adjacent guard rail to clear those covering the stairs. The shouts of the Saderans were drowned out as the some dozen or so was taken out.
These corpses barely looked anything like proper soldiers with thin, aging men and those who were emaciated with in their ranks but the mission was at hand. Since this building only had two floors instead of the usual three, four, or five so the building war clear. "This chariot-1, we're taking heavy fire from the rooftops! They're pouring burning oil on our asses!" The men quickly rushed to the windows were they saw the M3 Bradley operationing perfectly fine but the turret hatch was on fire as men with primitive incendiary bombs threw them from the roofs while those with ranged weapons fired upon the the soldiers below who responded with a hail of lead that gunned many of them down.
"Take those fuckers out!" Commanded Thompson hastily while his troops forced those not dead to hide behind cover as another team moved into the building ahead of them to rat out the ambushers. Suddenly the ground began to shake. "Holy shit! The fuck is that?!" Cursed Zhao as he kept himself from falling over. "Its a damn mage!" Reported Cork as a mage in a green robe with his hands on a ground created a tall, thick wall made out of stone that blocked the street and preventing the Bradleys from going any further if it wasn't so concerned about being on fire despite no real threat to the crew being present.
"Alright boys, here's the deal." The some thirty strong platoon gathered around their commander. "Cheeky cunt has blocked off our armor's path, so that means we'll be limited to air and mortar support. We continue down towards Oppida square where we'll rendezvous with the boys from the 11th, any questions?" There was no response and the lieutenant then walked towards the stairs. "Move out!" The soldiers made their way downstairs and into an alleyway through the back door. The distance sounds of gunfire and explosions had no end to them while thick black smoke rose up. Everyone was very paranoid of a potential ambush that could happened at any minute, checking anywhere their determined enemy could hide.
Thompson puts his hand up, signaling to his men to halt as distance voices could be heard further down. The alleyway. They slowly moved closer and closer until Johnson could identify that the voices belonged to kids. 'Ah shit...' He thought to himself, no saying a word but everyone having the same expression, knowing fully well it was about to go down. Thompson stopped as a wall prevented them from continuing forward but they could move into the courtyard of a heavily damaged apartment building that was built around it to get back onto the main street. He peeked around the corner and turned back to his men where he quietly whispered, "We got four in the courtyard. Incarcerate them on my command." Johnson waited anxiously for him to give them the go.
At last he gave the signal and they all rushed in, shouting "deditionem!" At the top of their lungs as they attempted to persuade the child soldiers in armor way too big for them to surrender. The boys were surprised and two of them began to sob while the other two had the look of terror written across their faces. After being assured that they would not be harmed, the other two dropped their weapons and come in peacefully but there would no such peace as a gunshot rang out.
One of the older boys dropped dead with a bullet in his back that came from another group of boys that was on what was left of the rooftops. "Contact!" The boys had only time to shoot a couple inaccurate shots before they were gunned down on the spot. "Goddamn it..." Swore Johnson, "Those fucks are using child soldiers now?" "Zorzal's placing everyone and everything between us and himself." Replied Collins who sounded like he was reserving some rather strong words underneath his breath.
Mars 18th, 688 of the Imperial calendar
Their was a cold breeze that moved about through his bones as the legion listened to their Oprichnina commander give a speech. "The enemy are at our gates my brothers!" He boomed, "They wish to destroy that makes us Saderan! They wish to turn our wonderful city into ruins but we wont give up without a fight!" The soldiers that made up this ragtag unit came from a mixture of fresh recruits, Civis corpus, recently destroyed legions, reservists, old veterans, and young teens who clearly didn't want to march into the slaughter but the line of Oprichki kononi wielders prevented them from deserting.
Maximus' heart was beating through his eardrums as the order came, "ATTACK!!" The weaponless men with a war cry of fear rather then courage or bloodlust charge forward, from the street flanked by tall buildings and into Alesia forum where the Other-world weapons opened up with a deadly thunder. Men were coldly cut down in the dozens while others attempted to dodge the kicked up pieces of stone that signified a quick death with varying success, some managing to find cover while more simply died before they even hit the ground.
He was one of the lucky ones and hopped into the dried up fountain in the center of the forum as it's beautiful marble statue was slowed chipped away from enemy fire. The man was surrounded by at least ten other men while fresh bodies mounted around them like a ring of death, all both dead and alive with the same fearful expression. One was muttering prayers while another was in the fetal position crying like a child but Maximus couldn't blame him for doing that in a situation they were currently trapped in. Then an Oprichnina officer came running towards them, looking very pissed on.
"Move you cowards!" He called, "Attack those positions." The tip of his spear glimmering in the afternoon sun as he came closer and closer. Without a word the Oprichka gripped his chest as he fell face first into the ground, Maximus' kanoni smoking. "Y-y-you shot an Oprichki!" Stuttered a soldier mortified, "They'll crucify you for that!" He had no time to retort as there was a load explosion to his left, the pressure knocking him out.
When he came to, his head was pounding out of his skull and his lungs were close to bursting all while his ears were ringing like hell. He immediately was hit by a horrific smell, a smell that could make the foulest of beasts sick. He weakly turned his head to find himself face to face with a dead comrade whose purplish black face had swollen to a unnatural size and eyes bulged out all while some disgusting liquid came dripping out of his openings such as the mouth, nose, ears, and eyes. He jolted back and had not time to react as he unceremoniously vomited what remained of his previous meal, chocking for a moment on the acidic substance.
Flies could be heard buzzing around the piles of now rotting corpses that were in medium sized piles across the fountain and presumably all over the forum as well. Suddenly, there was a loud BANG! It sounded like it came from his right as he heard the sound of growling before there was a small squeal. Then pairs of footsteps moved towards his direction, he knew they were Other-worlders instantly. There was some talk among them as finally he saw one unbeknownst to the Other-worlder. Like some he had seen before, this man had skin very similar to the dark elves while entirely looking human with a sleek hand-kanoni in his hands. He looked down and smirked as he aimed his weapon downward and shot something before walking off, more then likely ending a wounded soldier. This would be the fate of him if he was found and it entirely depended on his ability to pretended to be dead. But before he could lay down his head and stay as still as possible, death knocked. Another soldier came into view, turned his head to the Saderan's direction and crossed over the fountain wall to his position!
His body went cold as his soon to be killer came closer and closer and closer. The soldier stopped right in front of him and Maximus could only look up helplessly, silently giving the man a plea for mercy, despite the former have quite the long list of reasons to justify killing him here then and there. Maximus had been one of the first in the new world and saw first hand the brutality an invading army usually gave to those on the opposite side. He had seen the corpses of families in their strange homes in the tall buildings of their city, the wailing of children as their mothers were hauled away by gangs of Imperial soldiers that wished to due unspeakable things to them, he had seen streets that were marvels of architecture vandalized by war, he had seen the small sail-less ships packed to the brim with refugees crossing the mighty harbor attacked by wyverns that picked at them like seabirds would do to newborn turtles attempting to reach the sea. Despite the boastings of their generals and more patriotic soldiers, the imperial army had become the barbarians they had so much hated as they were giving a serious bloody nose that wouldn't stop and instead actively splashed out like a waterfall.
This soldier had no eyewear so he could see diamond blue eyes glaring down at him like the look a person of higher station would look down at a pathetic beggar. Maximus Mason would die here, and become merely another rotting corpse for the crows to feast upon in this hellish city. He closed his eyes as to make the process better for him mentally and waited for that loud bang that would end him but for a handful of seconds, nothing happened. He dared not to open his eyes but heard the sound of boots walking away as this soldier from another world endless leagues away from his had just spared his life. He then silently thanked the gods for allowing him just a little more time to live, perhaps he could have the chance to see his home village again one last time.
Later beneath the Imperial palace
The emperor's lair shook as the enemy siege weapons pounded the capital while Zorzal listened to Gimlet's report. "The soldiers that haven't been already killed have told my men that their metal beasts are having trouble navigating the city streets and are just as much destroying buildings to move as they are to rat out our defenses." This was good news, anything that didn't automatically spell imminent doom was good news at this point. "The fighting is starting to wind down as it's getting dark but enemy probs into our lines are still pushing hard, if the reports from the previous campaigns are true then our foe has the ability to see in the dark." "Gods damn it all!" He cursed, "Then send the demi-humans in, especially the Volraden. It'll make their raids more difficult."
It was a sound position that would slow the enemy's attacks at least until day broke when his men would be able to fight properly. The American wyverns hadn't caused as much damage as he would've though, sure the number of dead and wounded were high but it seemed they were holding back considering that civilians continued on with life behind the front. He guessed that from their cowardly fear of harming the city's residents, supply runs were largely untouched though targets of opportunity were hit. He believed this was a utterly foolish mistake to not hit their enemy's manpower pool, he wondered if the enemy actually enjoyed fighting swarms of brave Saderans.
"The enemy has unfortunately, taken all of the East Etna district and our specialists have blown up the bridges using large barrels of solin tied underneath." Said Mudra with contempt, "But since their beasts cant cross the tall river backs, they'll either have to build whole bridges or cross without their monsters in boats if they wish to attack from that direction." It was wonderful, one less area of pressure to worry about. "While it is a shame to have lost the district, we must focus on the rest of the city. How much of the city is under occupation Mudra?"
It was a question that he didn't want to know the answer to but it was important for the sake of Sadera and Mudra himself didn't look to happy to be the one answering. "Enemy forces have reached more then half of a league into the city. If they keep the pace and our men cowardly falter, then Sadera will fall in five days." The truth as expected hit hard and Zorzal couldn't believe that the crown jewel of the empire would fall so soon.
"My lord, if I may add." Tyuule had stayed quiet but now met the emperor eye to eye. "When the city falls, you must be evacuated through one of the tunnels to a safe house. From there we'll continue the war from Telta or even Portus Strabonis." But that would not do, not at all! "I will not abandon this city!" He roared like an angry lion, "I was born in this city! I lived in this city! And I will die in this city!" It was his destiny to rule Falmart and if he couldn't have his dream, the Sadera would go down with him. The empire's people had proven themselves unworthy of his divine rule and if they wouldn't fight for what they inherited then they would have nothing but ash.
There was moment of silence after Zorzal's outburst and the air became more tense as he tried to think on what possessed her to say such idiotic blander. "Please think about it logically. That is what they expect you to do, to sit here and wait for the end. The people of the empire still stand with you, sure the ones of the west and east have given up but not the east. They are determined to fight but they need a leader." She leaned forward and placed a hand on his. "My emperor, do not give up hope for history favors the determined." It filled him with a new will for life and to win. He let put a sigh, "Fine..." Pausing for a moment as he collected his thoughts. "But we must get the wedding ready quickly, the barbarians wont stop for an engagement."
Meanwhile across the gate
Herm Maio chowed down into his food quietly as he stared blankly into space, something he had done for some time now. He hated the fact that he dishonored his name by allowing himself to be captured by the Americans who used him as a propaganda tool on their vision mirrors. At first he bragged about how Sadera would avenge the defeat and launch a second invasion that would finally take the city and eventually the rest of the barbaric nation he had faced but now while he still hated them, he rarely even let out a sound as his fervor was slowly drained out like how a blacksmith drained the blood out of an old, wingless wyvern to improve his metal. The captured remnants of the expeditionary force were at first held in regular prisons but segregated away from the native criminals though violence against the Saderans were widespread. Maio had thankfully not been targeted but would after two months be sent to work on the construction of their new home in this foreign world: Camp Plattsburgh
The prisoner of war camp was built on Beaver island that was in a lake the size of a inland sea, far away from civilization. The housing was barebones, the food tasted terrible compared to the feasts he ate before the war, and he was stuck with demi-humans. His captors could care less if a noble and a barley human scum were together and that angered him. As the year marched on the popular of camp Plattsburgh from he learned jumped from ten thousand to fifteen thousand after a major attack back in Falmart. These new arrivals were nothing like those that entered through the gate, they were demoralized and were as thin as twigs while their faces were utterly dirty. Now he had excepted the fact that he wasn't going to get out or at least not until the war was over and who knew when it was going to end. But still, it didn't hurt to think about what if things had gone differently.
The cafeteria was filled with a handful of men eating their food and trying to finish before the curfew at ten would be emplaced with Maio being one of them. He preferred to wait until most of the prisoners had left so he could eat in pieces and watch the vision mirrors called televisions with the sound of chatter swallowing it's sound. He finally was finished with his food and went to put his tray away when he saw the television mounted on the wall with images he wished he had not seen.
"We've just got exclusive news from the war in Falmart as US troops now have begun entering the city of Sadera." He saw a woman with long blonde hair in a black dress looking dead at him before it switched to Sadera in the distance with black smoke rising into the sky. "After nearly a year after the attack on New York, The Saderans have been cornered in the capital and are expected to fight to the last man. Reports have said that countless civilians are still inside while Abrams rolled through the city gates."
It then switched to the Great castle gates where the enemy flag flew proudly in the backdrop of a cloudy sky with soldiers cheering, it for the first time in his life made him want to cry. The city and land he loved was under siege and everything he knew would be gone. "Troops from the FDO have in limited numbers joined too as secondary troops to help with occupation. Despite the Saderans' technological inferiority they have proved to be fanatical fights and have resorted to use insurgent tactics while some of our reporters on the ground say armored vehicles are having some trouble moving in the tight streets where the fighting is as heavy as it brutal."
Combat from the American perspective filled his eyes as terrible weapons were used on his countrymen not on screen and buildings were being destroyed while explosions could be heard in the background. It then switched to a street with dozens of bodies laying everywhere, all Saderan. The more he watched it, the more his heart broke. He couldn't watch anymore as he walked off and headed over to his shared sleeping quarters.
He said absolutely nothing as he entered the shared room where a set of bunk beds, a sink, and a toilet was home. His roommate, Marquis Calasta, got up from his bed to greet him. He was a fellow general like him and had grown to become friends shortly after their capture. Calasta was a intelligent man who while more reserved in battle, wasn't afraid of a fight if it needed to be fought. "Maio, what did you think of the food?" He asked, a new dish called 'Spaghetti with meat balls' was added that day but Maio could care less.
"Its all over...t-they reached the capital." Calasta gasped, "You must be fooling! How could it be possible?!" "Because we failed Calasta!" He felt hollow like a tree and had the vigor of his life sucked out. "Had only we beat them then and there, none of this wouldn't of happened." The guilt chewed at him like acid and refused to stop as the thought of death seemed more attractive then seeing his once invincible country disintegrate in front of his eyes. "Perhaps dying would've been a better option as it seems that in living, I've been sucked into a living hellscape.
It was no wonder the fresh prisoners were so broken, they saw their homes destroyed and were humiliated by the fact they were absolutely powerless against their foe who wielded godly weapons. He hated being in this camp, he hated being on this island, he hated being on the wrong side out the gate, he hated the isolation and not knowing if his loved ones were dead and not knowing what was happening in his absence. It drove in utterly mad and he wanted it all to stop.
"So, the empire really is falling." Calasta said more to himself then to his companion. "May the gods bless our families and friends back home." Maio nodded in agreement, "I agree full heartily brother. May we one day see our homeland again." He would've if given the chance had a toast to those words that he hoped would come to forwishen. It was not long after that they fell asleep and retired for the night though Maio had trouble. It wasn't the bed, or his pillow, or if he was cold, or if wasn't tired but rather his mind was full of thoughts. There was nothing he could do to soothe his head but still dared not to open his eyes for fear that any made progress would be erased. So he decided to silently pray to his patron and hoping his brain would slowly be pulled into slumber.
It has been a month but I'm back. I had a serious writer's block but I've finally finished this chapter. Im not going to lie, finishing is going to be a bit of a challenge. These chapters are twice as long as the usually ones and by the time im done, this whole Arc is basically going to be the length of some whole works. After this story is done im taking a break for a while as to focus on real life stuff but this will not be the first and last one I'll create. I have more id like to give and possibly grow better as a writer. I have rambled enough, goodbye and I hope a very merry Christmas is in store for you all.