The Graves of the Brave
Synopsis: A story with multiple characters, from their perspectives of all sides in the Wars of Strangereal, and the Ravernal War. A story of all those who took part, and played their roles in their respective countries. Heavily inspired by Turtledove novels and the Star Wars fanfiction Tarkin's Fist series by the talented AshlaTi, and Worldfall, by Thuktun Flishity. A crossover of the Worldwar series by- you guessed it, Turtledove and Footfall. Ultimately a Japan Summons/Ace Combat fic.
Taking a risky gander out here, because in the r/nihonkoku_shoukan subreddit, a while back people were debating interesting ideas and while I've been lurking in the discord- though never really paid attention to it until now- it seems (at least those who interacted) people are interested in a Ace Combat/Japan Summons story. And in the history of the fandom, many enthusiastic writers have taken a shot and given their go. So I, after sitting on the bench for a long time, decided to take that leap. I admit I am nervous because I've seen and I know how critical this community can get towards a fic. But I'll remind myself of those words of comfort- you are writing for yourself first- to get me through. I am writing this for myself, partly out of curiosity and wonder. And I wanted to share my story with you guys, even if the community finds it not good. Life has been hard for me, more just finding my groove again after life happened. I'll try to update frequently and get back to my other stories as well, but hey, we'll see.
This is my first time writing a genuine military story.
"Mom is scared, but I think the shooting stars are so pretty."
― Diary excerpt of a Yuktobanian girl in Farbanti shortly before the Ulysses Impact.
"Year 1833, the stars were falling onto Earth. There an angel rose amidst the flames with wings that shone brighter than sun. The crackle of branches and wood and the thousands of eyes of critters that claimed this land their own precariously pausing for a moment, to gaze upon a being from heaven."
― Unknown pastor, found by historians in 1932
"Night of your birth. Thirty-three. The Leonids they were called. God how the stars did fall. I looked for blackness, holes in the heavens. The Dipper stove."
― Cormac McCarthy, Blood Meridian, or, the Evening Redness in the West
"Forcible we were reminded of that remarkable passage in Revelations which speaks of the great red dragon ... drawing the third part of the stars of heaven and casting them [down] to the earth. That figure appeared to be fully painted on the broad canopy of the sky - spread over with sheets of light and thick with streams of rolling fire. There was scarcely a place in the firmament which was not filled at every instant with these falling stars… The most perfect master of language would fail of conveying to others a full picture of this extraordinary and uncommon appearance..." ― Bowling Green, Salt River Journal
"I sprang from my bed [and] rushed to the window, and saw the stars falling in great showers! But looking back of them in the heavens I saw all the grand old constellations with which I was so well acquainted, fixed and true in their places. Gentlemen, the world did not come to an end then, nor will the Union now." ― An account by Abraham Lincoln, recorded and preserved by Walt Whitman. According to context, after a meeting with bankers during the Civil War- one man asked a question if his faith in the Union was shaken and Lincoln had replied with a story.
Prologue
[Luxor-class heavy destroyer, RNSF Lusitania]
[Sometime in the future]
Commander Salvus watched as his destroyer, the Lusitania, brought her turbolaser batteries upon the nation called the Confederate Nations of Usea. Their target was the International Space Elevator, chosen specifically due to its significance as an engineering triumph of humans. And the power it produced for the entire region.
"I will say sir… it is impressive that they built a space elevator. Just as impressive as those old railguns in that desert region." Lieutenant Commander Kharnor commented as he sipped from his cup of caf. "Never would've believed these humans and the lesser races could've ever built something beyond simple iron tools."
"The Confederacy comes from a different world." Salvus replied calmly while gunnery specialists prepared the targets and awaited orders to fire upon the world before them. The Usean continent stood out brightly as dense clusters of light indicated large cities. A stark contrast to the majority of the world, and he resisted the urge to scoff and sneer at the tier system of civilizations. Excluding the transferred nations, none of these pitiful countries were worth anything. The Holy Milishial Empire, who considered themselves the guardians of the world, were classified as a "second-rate nation with a decaying monarchy and internal strife" based on a note by Annonrial intelligence officers. The Annonrial Empire would've had no problem taking over the world and they certainly would've- had these new nations not appeared.
"The Confederates, Eruseans, Useans… whatever demonym they go by- these humans are admittedly worthy of slight attention in comparison to the rest." Salvus stated, leaning against his personal command console. "The Americans, the US and the NAU as well as the Osean Federation in the beyond. They'll each pose a unique challenge, but nothing that our forces can't handle." He finished confidently.
"Sir!" A gunnery ensign called out from below. "Forward turbolaser batteries one through eight prepped to fire!"
Salvus nodded in response and stepped forward while gunnery crews waited before their consoles. He stared out at the world before him, a beautiful world of green and blue. A welcome sight in comparison to the starry void. The Usean continent, according to intelligence reports, was the centre point for major wars in their world's recent past and scarred by the impact of an asteroid. He glanced at the hologram of the space elevator to the side, looking at its specifications, its elegant and futuristic design. It was something so original, so bold and daring that marked his impression of their opposition.
"Sailors of the Ravernal Naval Space Force, today we mark the final stages of our mighty crusade." He paused, letting the words sink in. "A Secessionist faction of bioengineers established themselves here and led an empire before their downfall. They thrived until they left this world and fought our Emperor, the aboriginals of this world prospered and thrived in their absence. The Secessionists are our ideological enemies, but they have laid the foundation for us- perhaps they knew our victory was inevitable. Today, we bring them into the folds of our Empire. And these humans progressed technologically, not all of them, but most of them progressed forward. It is a beautiful thing on its own. A civilization developing from iron tools and living in muddy huts- to sprawling urban cities with skyscrapers."
His deck officers and gunnery crewmen listened aptly. "These humans, even if their current technological prowess is light years behind us, are very different from the ones we faced. For millennia they have feared our empire and its destructive prowess. Mothers tell stories to hush crying children. State officials whisper in shadows and attempt to discern secrets from old leftover Secessionist technology. They will fight tooth and nail for their homes, their country, and their families. From the archaic crossbowmen of the Altaras Kingdom to the riflemen of Gra Valkans, to the pilots of the North American Union, each and everyone of them will fight to the death for what they believe in. They are indeed lesser than us, even the Annonrials are a lower race- their genetics will never be pure as ours. Even then, every single human and demihuman out there has someone that cares for them. They have homes they look forward to returning to. Their soldiers, pilots and sailors grumble about pay, military food, administrative nightmares, and lousy officers. All these nations have their own unique culture of artistry and music. They are individuals, brought into existence to live and enjoy life to the fullest. To feel the cool breeze of a summer wind, standing barefoot on soft grassy fields amid countless dandelions. They are living beings with equal capacity of imagination and creativity. They exist, to live in the pursuit of happiness, to love and to fulfill their dreams. They- especially the humans of Usea, Osea, the Americans are just like us."
He stopped, letting his words sink in.
"They are just like us, not only as artisans and musicians- but as warlords and conquerors. In their minds, they have equal capabilities of ruthlessness and inflicting great cruel acts of violence against one another." He spread his arms wide open.
"That is why we must crush them. Crush their national pride and forever prevent them from raising a flag against us. Because of their pride and spirit as a conqueror, they will never allow us to exist with them. It is either us… or them." Pointing at the Usean continent, Salvus looked at the glittering lights of a flourishing civilization.
"The Race was methodical and a space-faring society. We brought them down under our heel. These humans will fall just the same as them. " He said with a wide sweeping motion and clasped his hands behind his back.
With his speech finished, he gestured towards his gunnery crews and within moments the first salvo of orbital bombardment fell upon the hapless Useans and the city of Selatapura. Holographic feeds of the city showed countless civilians fleeing- and the trickle of military convoys coming in. The superheated plasma rounds quickly began reducing the great space elevator into molten steel.
"It was a beautiful structure, wouldn't you agree sir?" Lieutenant Commander Kharnor whispered as the two watched the onslaught. "Also, we have some new directives. Once we finish up here in Selatapura, we're to support the ground invasion of the United States of America and the Osean Federation with the Fourth Fleet." Kharnor sent him the new information and Salvus quickly skimmed through it on his datapad.
"Disengage both the Ravernal Air Force and Naval Starfighter squadrons to support the ground units of the 19th Infantry, 21st Infantry, 427th Infantry Divisions of the XI Annonrial Infantry Corps, and the 531st Ravernal Legion at Target Norfolk, Virginia, USA- a significant naval and transportation hub of their eastern coast." Salvus read off and gestured for Lieutenant Alphard, the chief navigation officer. "This is our next destination once we're finished here. I've sent the coordinates to your datapad. We'll also begin our atmospheric descent over this state of Virginia."
"Aye sir, it will be done." Lieutenant Alphard replied and walked off to his station and began giving orders to junior officers.
"Why didn't they make a launch towards the American capital? It's right along the eastern coastline." Kharnor commented.
"Washington D.C and most other American cities will be finished off with orbital bombing, but at the same time it's primarily an administrative city according to intel."
Just then, Salvus's datapad began to ring. A call from the fleet commander… he accepted the call and a small holographic image of Admiral Lugenbrau shimmered into existence.
He clicked to attention and let the datapad hover as he saluted the admiral. "Good day sir, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"New orders commander, according to new intelligence reports we have multiple high value targets fleeing Selatapura. Namely members of the Confederate General Staff, NAU's Secretary of the Interior Dylan Walsh, and former President Vincent Harling of the Osean Federation."
"Sir, if I may, our current orbital bombardment have likely killed them or-"
"Commander, multiple aircraft took off when your destroyer appeared over that space elevator. The Hagincour is on its way to your position. Begin an atmospheric entry and engage both the Air Force and the Naval Starfighter Squadrons you currently possess at those targets."
"Why is a former president worthy of note sir?" Salvus asked, among many others he wanted to ask. Like, how it seemed like a waste of time.
"According to reports, Vincent Harling still holds a very powerful grip on the current administration in Osea and among its population. The Space Elevator was his greatest accomplishment- one that you're currently turning into rubble." The admiral said with approval. "Killing him will be a blow against the Osean Federation. Harling specifically has a contingent of Erusean aircraft escorting him to an Osean aircraft carrier OFS Admiral Andersen in Gunther Bay. As for the remainder, the general staff consists of flag-level officers and Dylan Walsh, a member of President Eden's inner circle. See to their deaths commander." The admiral disappeared and Salvus took his datapad again.
He entered in his commands, sending one to Lieutenant Alphard to begin descent. The officer looked confused at the order for a moment, but carried them out nonetheless. And he sent an alert to both his Air Force and Naval Starfighter commanders assigned to his ship to be at the bridge promptly.
The cannonfire ceased as the ship began her descent into the world. While the bridge crew ran about, Salvus took the time to review the updated targets. The Confederate officers weren't really important, just faceless staff officers. But it was the reports on Harling and the NAU Secretary Walsh that fascinated him. Information that their intelligence department took from their satellites they established in orbit- the only reason most of them remained for that sole purpose, besides jamming- and everything the Annonrials gathered about their opponents.
Harling, a leader through war and guiding his country in peace. Building the space elevator as a sign of cooperation despite the regime changes Erusea went through- the inception of the Confederacy- and continued to travel to Selatapura despite the tension between Osea and the Confederacy. Even in the new world, travelling to the primitive nations in the Third Civilization area, giving speeches, providing humanitarian aid in former Parpaldian territories and urging cooperation in war-torn regions. Instrumental in the friendship that Osea and the USA held and was in the process of trying to thaw the NAU before his recurring visit to the space elevator recently.
Salvus could plainly see he was a good person, and felt a growing sense of admiration for him. Before his career as a military officer, he studied the civil movement leaders of the old Ravernal Republic before the transformation into an empire, and the Secessionist movement as well. He loved delving into the history of the old days, there was a sense of wonder and yearnful nostalgia for a society so different from the one majority here had grown up in. Perhaps if there was no conflict he would've studied Harling more. He'd do so regardless, even if he would kill the man.
Orders were orders.
Dylan Walsh wasn't a good person. A long history of partaking in purges after Eden's rise to power. A commoner taking revenge on the politicians. Salvus could also admire the brutality and violence. How Walsh apparently had a senator torn apart by hounds, hunting down a state governor with a shotgun into the forest. And in their world of the NAU, prepared and ran Operation Referendum and Operation Four Olds, a psychological operation, during their conflicts with countries called North Korea and China. And he was in Selatapura today, likely in a meeting with the Confederates and Harling, discussing the threat his empire presented.
He was interrupted in his thoughts when Major Pashel and Lieutenant Commander Frieser entered the bridge. They saluted him and he returned their salutes.
"Commander" Major Pashel spoke first. "We also received the orders before your alert came in."
"I will have to say sir, my starfighters won't be as fast in the atmosphere unlike Major Pashel's aircraft. We talked about a rough idea of strategy if you would like to consider it sir." Commander Frieser suggested and Salvus gestured for him to continue.
"Sensors indicate that there is significant activity from the Confederate Air Force, multiple squadrons specifically protecting the fleeing targets sir. Major Pashel will split the 8th Air Division in three sections to pursue them while myself and the 110th Starfighter Wing will provide cover for the Lusitania and attack the naval targets of the Osean Federation."
Salvus nodded. "A sensible strategy. Saves us time of coming up with a plan here."
"Figured we should take the initiative. Hesitation is what gets us killed in war." Major Pashel added. "We'll rack up some scores with these aboriginals like the lizard killercrafts. Good hunting sir." Both Pashel and Frieser saluted once more and left.
He turned his attention once more on the massive screens before him, and the glass viewport of the Usean continent. And of how High Command apparently bypassed him in giving orders to his starfighter commanders. Just one thing after another…
[Gunther Bay]
[Confederate Nations of Usea]
[93rd Air Division]
Second Lieutenant Paul Lebrun eyed the giant starship that was obviously descending. His Su-57 purred all over as he flew behind Major Neumann's YF-23. Both of their aircraft with their distinct livery marked them as ace pilots. Their mission today was something he never would've thought of. Escorting the former Osean president to their carrier group in the distant sea.
The fact that Harling was one of the politicians that had a hand in starting the Continental War, was never far from his mind.
"Condor and Rigel Squadrons, that starship has deployed fighters." It was the Osean pilot of the Chinook.
"Eagle One, we're tracking that." Major Neumann replied. "We'll cover you till the Admiral Andersen. Maybe you could patch them for additional air support as well." Lebrun resisted the urge to snicker at that. Surely the Osean pilots could also risk their neck to protect Harling.
"We got incoming! Protect Eagle One." Sky Breaker, their AWACs, called out as the Ravernal fighters flew towards them.
"Condor Three moving to intercept." Lebrun said, excitement building up within.
"Rigel Squadron cover Eagle One. We'll handle the Ravernals." Neumann instructed as the rest of Condor squadron peeled away and headed straight towards the enemy squadron.
"Copy that Condor One, show them what it means to tango with the Confederacy." Major Oswald, Rigel One replied over the comms.
Lebrun paid them half a mind as he observed the Ravernal fighters. Dark paint, sleek and fancy. And they opened fire first as Lebrun banked sharply to the left as pale green laser rounds zipped past him.
He immediately locked on to one of them and fired a pair of missiles at it. The Ravernal merely let loose flares- and his missiles exploded early. Grinning, Lebrun pushed his Sukhoi after his target, her engines roaring in symphony as he locked on once more with his machine gun. The lock-on blared and he squeezed the trigger while his Ravernal opponent tried to lose him.
Firing in bursts, Lebrun stayed right on their tail. He took note that the Ravernal fighters, while fast, seemed to lack combat experience. They flew according to doctrine and textbook manoeuvres. The Ravernal fighter burst into flames as his machine gun rounds tore it apart, and Lebrun saw the pilot eject.
"These aboriginals know how to fly!" An unknown voice called out from his radio. "We lost Kauman and Belphons!"
"Hey! They killed the Major!"
A nearby explosion and with a sinking emotion Lebrun saw a fellow Sukhoi tumble into the ocean below. "That was Condor Nine… focus on your job and kill these winged freaks." Major Neumann ordered as his YF-23 ripped apart a pair of Ravernal fighters. "They got fancy starships and lasers. But hardly any skill, I bet they never faced anyone that could give them a ringer."
Lebrun agreed with the sentiment and found his next target. The rest of his squadron was doing pretty well in this engagement. Three of their own shot down, two of them ejected and the Coast Guard was nearby picking them up along with the Ravernal pilots.
"Osean aircraft have been launched from the Admiral Andersen. Marking them on your IFFs Condor, Rigel."
"Copy that Sky Breaker." Lebrun answered, accelerating his Su-57 to support Neumann, his commander. The large starship deployed another batch of fighters, this time however Lebrun watched them head towards the Osean carrier group in the distance. "Eagle One be advised, the Admiral Andersen is under attack by Ravernal aircraft." Sky Breaker informed them as Lebrun avoided a Ravernal missile.
"Copy Sky Breaker. There's a war hero engaging the Ravernals. You Eruseans should know him." The pilot of the Chinook sounded smug about that last part.
"It's Mobius One…" Major Neumann said in awe as the group drew near the carrier group. Multiple F-15s, F/A-18s and F-35Cs with a sprinkle of Su-33s were dogfighting the Ravernal fighters, these alien fighters however seemed slower and were very differently designed. Lebrun knew of Mobius One, a legendary ace that took down swaths of Erusean pilots- from the Continental War… he was a boy then.
A lifetime ago, looking up at the clash of titans over Farbanti. An F-22 weaving between skyscrapers against a Su-37 with yellow tips.
"To think I'd see him here…" Neumann muttered over the radio. "Wonderful… just simply, wonderful."
The Major's voice was both equally nostalgic and bitter. All Lebrun knew was that the man flew during the Continental War- like so many others that took up arms once again.
The Chinook was getting closer to the aircraft carrier- seriously, it was moving at a snail's pace compared to his Sukhoi, and then he wouldn't have to worry whether or not Harling got killed. Personally, he wouldn't have cared less for a dead Osean, but if High Command found out he was killed during their escort due to negligence then Condor and Rigel squadrons would've been thrown against the wall. Aces be damned.
He focused back on the battle at hand, targeting a Ravernal fighter that had begun to take shots at one of Rigel Squadron's MiGs. The Ravernal flew to the right, avoiding his machine gun burst. "Tch…" Lebrun switched on over to his AAMs and fired two of them. The Ravernal must've frozen on the stick because the fighter made no manoeuvres as the missiles drew near and slammed into its sides.
Another kill, another tally.
[Luxor-class heavy destroyer RNSF Lusitania]
[Selatapura, Confederate Nations of Usea]
Commander Salvus watched as the humans successfully fought off both the 8th Air Division and the 110th Starfighter Wing. Though, it was the air guard on Vincent Harling that the resistance was the strongest. Sensors indicated that Major Pashel was among the four fighters killed, while three others had ejected. Seven fighters lost in the fight for Harling alone. Salvus gritted his teeth while smaller screens showed camera views of different fighters. However, it wasn't so one-sided. Three aerial transports had been shot down. SIGINT confirming the deaths of two vice admirals, two major generals and a lieutenant general of the Confederate General Staff. Dylan Walsh was still alive, but First Lieutenant Dallen of the 3rd Squadron decided to prioritise the general officers and their escorts. And probably because Walsh was the furthest away than all the other targets.
"There are two fighters specifically giving us the most trouble, an YF-23 and the Su-57." Kharnor enlarged the holopics of two aircraft. "They have distinct paint and livery compared to the others and with the continued stream of information we've been getting from intel…" He pointed to the one labelled YF-23. "This one is piloted by Major Benjamin Neumann, callsign Lynx of the 93rd Air Division, 11th Special Squadron Condor. A veteran of their Continental War. He accounted for most of the kills in this initial aerial battle and shot down Major Pashel." Kharnor explained. The names and places didn't mean much, other than Salvus filing them away for later study. "We and the General Staff should've studied their capabilities more instead of rushing in head first like this." Salvus admitted, surprised at the skill of the humans and the capability of their aircraft and cursed internally at his commanders. "The second?"
Kharnor enlarged the Su-57. "Second Lieutenant Paul Lebrun, callsign Calamity of the 93rd Air Division, transferred to the Condor Squadron recently. Nothing as noteworthy as Major Neumann, since he recently came out of the flight academy according to these records. He is an ace due to the fact that he took part in the skirmishes and the conflicts they had with each other before the Annonrials brought us here."
"So they have skilled pilots." Salvus stated, and brushed them aside. "Bring us closer to the carriers, we'll provide support with the secondary turbolaser batteries." The main batteries were for ship to ship battles, levelling cities, not necessarily shooting at air or starcraft. He noticed a pair of Osean warships breaking formation and seemed to be heading beneath the Lusitania.
"Commander Kharnor, what are those ships?"
"They're missile cruisers sir. Though I highly doubt they have anything that could get past our shields." Kharnor said confidently and Salvus agreed with his XO.
"And certainly nothing nuclear since everyone would be caught in the blast…" He trailed off, eyeing the two Osean ships. "Well if they want to waste missiles on our shields then they certainly can."
The Lusitania was now low- at least in his opinion- and began firing her secondary turbolasers at the Confederate and Osean fighters that got curious and drew near. Salvus smirked as their bullets and missiles bounced off or exploded harmlessly off her shields. The smaller autocannons opened fire on aerial and naval targets alike, small short laser blasts bringing down the human aircraft.
"Multiple missile launches from the first cruiser, the OFS Donovan." A junior officer called out while Salvus crossed his arms. "Impact in 3… 2… 1…" Explosions were heard only through the holocams that were recording the underside of the ship. "Shield's steady at a hundred percent sir!" The officer called out and Salvus nodded.
"Take those two ships out." He ordered.
But just as he gave the order, the second missile cruiser fired its payload. He was unconcerned for a moment- until the resulting explosion actually rocked the Lusitania. Red alarm lights flashed and klaxons began to wail as the bridge crew tried to steady themselves. Salvus stared with wide eyes before he found his voice again. "Mana-infused proton missiles…" He muttered in disbelief. "They must've gotten them from the old relics and experimentation." Salvus snarled.
Old relics left from the dangerous faction of Ravernal Secessionist lunatics. Still, lunatics or not, the rest of the Ravernal Empire was here to finish everything up.
"Commander!" The same bridge officer called out to him. "Our shields are completely down! These humans must've gotten their hands on some Paltor-class proton missiles sir! They must've scavenged the old orbital platforms! "
"I can evidently see that lieutenant!" Salvus snapped while he quickly surveyed the damage done to his ship. Holograms showed that a chunk of her keel had been blasted open, along with a number of underside laser autocannons.
They also picked up several explosive impact points along her starboard side. Evidently the human fighters noticed their weaponry was suddenly damaging his ship.
"Both Osean cruisers are sinking though, one of the proton missiles must've detonated early and took them both out."
"Shut up!" Salvus snarled at his XO. "Our shields are down, along with our fighters that are getting shot down." He slammed his hands down on the command console. The Paltor class proton missiles, they were likely low quality Grade-4s given that they were still alive- shook him deeply. The last time he faced them, or at least a higher grade missile, was during the Ravernal Civil War when he hunted a Secessionist command ship, the Meridian. His quick thinking as a lieutenant back then, XO of the corvette Holden, and watched it hit a medical transport ship. He responded with everything in his arsenal in response and the Meridian tore itself as it made a faulty hyperjump. Those missiles could do a number on shields, but the distance between starships in those space battles mitigated the damage somewhat.
"All surviving Air Force and Naval Starfighers-" Salvus spoke into the hyperspace radio. "Disengage and withdraw to the Lusitania. We're breaking for orbit." He broke off the transmission and turned to his bridge crew. "Give me the location of the Hagincour, then hail them for support and that we can conduct a full orbital bombardment once we're off world!"
They hurried about and a moment later, Kharnor had an answer for him. "The Hagincour is currently engaging targets with her fighter squadrons over those old railguns. Captain Luker says he cannot disengage at the moment. A particular human pilot with a distinctive paint mark with Three Strikes is giving his squadrons a lot of trouble-"
"Once our fighters are back on board we'll break for orbit. These humans cannot follow us out there." Salvus said, calming down despite the wailing klaxons and the small explosions where human missiles met Ravernal ultrasteel.
A large explosion at the stern of the ship shook the Lusitania violently even more. The lights overhead flickered and to his horror, Salvus could hear the engines and thrusters losing power.
"They hit our thrusters?!" He asked, already dreading the answer.
"Commander! Six Osean aircraft, Mobius Squadron, they're equipped with pulse laser weaponry and railguns on their aircraft! It must be an experimental squadron sir!" A different lieutenant called out from the lower bridge. The said aircraft appeared on screen and Salvus stared at the frozen holopic of blue lasers, and a small long object attached to the bottom of a couple of them.
"-must've fired the rear engines with those railguns and without our shields-" He waved off Kharnor's babbling.
"Can we make it back into space?!"
"No sir! We've lost seventy-five percent engine power. The remaining generators are working overtime to maintain the stabilisers commander!" Lieutenant Junior Grade Hapsel shouted over the noise, not looking up from his console.
"What of our forward batteries? Can we at least turn or depress the ship somewhat to fire on the carrier fleet with our main guns? Or the space elevator?" As soon as Salvus said that, another series of explosions rocked the ship.
"C-commander! Primary Batteries One, Two, Three, Five and Six are out of commission! It's that Mobius-One aircraft! Only seven and eight are good for firing, but its positioning does not allow them to traverse to their targets." Another officer called out.
"And we can barely stay afloat as is sir!" Lieutenant Hapsel added, looking back at Salvus with worry in his face. His wings ruffled nervously and Salvus just cursed in response.
"Get me Admiral Lugenbrau!"
"Yes commander, one moment-!"
A hologram materialised itself, but it wasn't Admiral Lugenbrau. Salvus found himself staring into the loathsome face of Captain Flennse, the admiral's adjutant and office creature.
"Ah… Commander Jerrivk Salvus… what can I do for you today?" the officer's nasally voice grated on his ears but Salvus ignored it for now.
"Captain, I am requesting support over the Usean continent. The Lusitania has taken heavy damage in the aerial battle against the Confederacy. They- the Oseans, they had Paltor-class proton missiles! Our shields are completely down, the 8th Air Division and the 110th Naval Starfighter Wing suffered heavy casualties and the humans are bringing in more reinforcements as we speak."
Captain Flennse didn't look perturbed or concerned. But rather, he looked bored. "Commander Salvus, how could you have allowed a ship from the Emperor's grace to be damaged by mere humans?" Flennse's retort threw him off guard, Salvus stood opening and closing his mouth before he found his voice again.
"Allowed?!" Salvus almost shouted, his voice filled with incredulity. "You think I allowed my ship and her pilots to suffer at the hands of humans?!" He almost roared in rage while Captain Flennse leaned back in his seat. "I am following direct orders from Admiral Lugenbrau himself! And that plan has turned to absolute disaster."
"Disaster?" Flennse drawled. "Well we discovered that the humans of the advanced nations have taken to arming themselves with scraps from the endeavour of the old fanatics. Not a total loss. Our magical sensors are just picking them up. The advance divisions of the 17th Annonrial Army ran into a nasty surprise at the place called… South Carolina I think? We've begun mana sweeps afterwards. At least the Annonrials are acting as fodder."
Salvus bristled. "I was following orders." He spat out, "We weren't given accurate intelligence reports on the human armaments, they have lasers and railguns attached to their fighters and the skill of their pilots and aircraft. Now the Lusitania cannot make it to orbit! Her engines are dying and only a matter of time before we sink beneath the ocean. I need support from whatever starship that's nearby in the area, the Hagincour is engaged in a battle, but any other ship that comes to our aid can turn the balance."
"Well Commander, in that case there's only thing I can see yourself doing right now." Captain Flennse said, leaning forward and clasped his hands in front of him.
"And what would that be captain?"
"Begin the self destruction sequence of the Lusitania." Flennse said- no… ordered.
Salvus stared as if Flennse suddenly grew an extra wing.
"Say again captain?!" He asks, his voice deceptively calm while Kharnor shuffled nervously next to him.
"Start your self-destruct process, commander." Flennse emphasised his rank at the end. "Only individual ship captains know the codes to initiate the self-destruct process. If it were up to me, I would've done it the moment your shields and engines were taken out. Alas, it is not like that and here we are, in discourse."
Hot rage filled Salvus. Him following direct orders, nonsensical as they were to attack a prestige target above all else- had led to this folly. How his superiors diverted both the Lusitania and the Hagincour to attack legitimate targets oh yes. But at the cusp of invasion, when every ship was needed to suppress the immediate targets of ground invasion: Osean Federation and the USA. To support the ground troops as they stormed the south and eastern front of the USA, and into the heartland of Osea. His thoughts turned swiftly to Flennse.
This bag of garbage was telling him to self destruct. Salvus got the hint as well, with all hands aboard in Lusitania's fiery death, and the remaining starfighters either individually making for orbit or joining its commander with the curtain fall.
"I don't think I will do that, not yet at least." Salvus muttered, causing Flennse to frown. "If you have something up your wings, then use it I suppose."
He ignored the captain and turned to Kharnor. "Give the order to abandon ship. Once everybody else leaves, I will trigger the self-destruct sequence and use my escape pod."
"Ignore that order! Lieutenant Commander, arrest Commander Salvus for insubordination I'll have your wings bound for this-" Salvus crushed the disconnect button with his fist, never taking his eyes off of Kharnor.
"Lieutenant Commander Kharnor, you could shoot me with your sidearm right here, right now. Or… we could live another day, and the crew of the Lusitania will be free. There's no need to die so meaninglessly at the actions of impatient commanders."
"Sir… I'm with you till the end." Kharnor let out a short laugh. "Captain Flennse can suck start a blaster stub. And besides, the humans will be conquered soon and we'll be out of whatever hellish POW camp they put us in."
"Alright then. Begin evacuation procedures!"
[Gunther Bay]
[Confederate Nations of Usea]
[93rd Air Division]
Lebrun flew in between volleys of laserfire as the Ravernal fighters began to dwindle substantially. He saw the destruction of the two Osean cruisers, the explosion reminded him of the Helios missiles and murmured a silent prayer for the sailors.
Even if they were Oseans.
Bringing his fighter around, Lebrun watched as a series of explosions began to erupt along the hulls of the Ravernal starship.
"Did Mobius-One pull that off?" Rigel-3 remarked while Lebrun focused on where Mobius One was flying. Of course he would have a railgun attached to the bottom of his plane.
"And I thought our aces were flamboyant…" Lebrun muttered under his breath as he strafed the starship again. The Ravernal fighters had all been shot down, including the ones that chased after their officers and the NAU official. Now, despite the heavy barrage coming from small starship turrets, everyone freely unleashed their weaponry on the Ravernal ship.
Smoke billowed out from sections of the ship, while debris fell harmlessly into the ocean below. Suddenly, multiple pods shot out all along the ship and Lebrun banked his fighter to get a closer look at them. All of them splashed into the sea- then began to float.
"Attention all human fighters-" an unknown voice spoke from his radio, it was being broadcast on an open airwave. "This is Commander Salvus, captain of the RNSF Lusitania. We currently deployed all lifepods and request that they be treated fairly as prisoners of war." The message began to repeat itself and Lebrun eyed the Admiral Andersen sailing away.
The Ravernal starship shuddered as more explosions began tearing it apart. And a single, final pod ejected from what looked like the bridge as the once grand starship hurtled into the sea. Flames and smoke trailing along the frame of the starship, it was almost graceful as the alien ship crashed into the ocean. His eyes trailed over the countless lifepods floating in the sea, some of them had their hatches open as both Confederate Coast Guard and Osean ships approached them cautiously.
"Good work. Harling is not our problem anymore." Sky Breaker interjected, causing Lebrun to focus on what was going on. "Copy that. Are we good to RTB?" Major Neumann asked.
"RTB everyone. We're done for the day. There's a team waiting to debrief us."
Lebrun sighed and followed his commander back to their airfield.
Osean News Today
Ravernal Starships Struck Down!
By Frank Jonathan
FARBANTI- Amid the return of the Ancient Sorcerous Empire, colloquially known as the Ravernal Empire and the invasion by the Annonrial Empire, humanity has achieved first blood against our enemies from the stars.
In the Hatties Desert, the Stonehenge Defence Network Cannons fired for the last time as Confederate technicians brought the weapon online and tore the Ravernal starship- identified as a Province-class heavy cruiser Hagincour, by prisoners of war- splitting it almost in half as it crashed into the old defence network.
Over Gunther Bay, a combined force of Osean and Erusean fighters brought down a second Ravernal starship, including hundreds of prisoners of war in an aerial battle. This comes as great news for our brave soldiers fighting off the invaders.
In Farbanti, the capital of a former foe, the mood is that of grim determination and hope. Just moments ago, Erusean Princess Rosa Cossette D'Elise delivered a statement inspiring cooperation between the many countries united against Ravernal and Annonrial aggression and shocking condemnation at the Erusean Supreme Leader.
The contents of her speech echoes the sentiment expressed by former president Vincent Harling during the conclusion of the Circum-Pacific War. A message of unity and strength, combined with a hopeful tone inspires us to look towards a future where our children do not have to experience war- each of them more harsher than the last generation.
Her criticism of the Erusean Supreme Leader, who also rules the Confederacy by extension, is the very first of an influential member of the government speaking out. As of right now, the Confederate Army is conducting evacuation procedures for much of Farbanti and from the faces of citizens it reflects a grim time period of the Continental War and the subsequent coup.
Still, looking in the eyes of Erusean citizens, there is determination and hope. An Erusean Army officer delivered a speech to his battalion assembled at the Farbanti Reconstruction Park, with the backdrop of the concrete obelisk- the officer declares that Erusea and the Confederacy shall always endure against all odds. "They can bomb our cities, they can destroy our armies. But our spirits will remain unscathed!"
Reddit:
(4.3k) Live Ravernal Reaction 😡
Posted to r/shitposting (322) comments
(34k) [NSFL] Annonrial paratrooper gets his wings cut off while tangled on his harness, while another is beaten to death by civilians in North Carolina, USA
Posted to r/CombatFootage (1.3k) comments
(1.1k) FEMA coordinates rescue operations after the orbital bombardment of Richmond.
Posted to r/Virginia (38) comments
(3k) What kind of a name is "Oured" for a capital? What a retarded ass name.
Posted to r/2Erusean4u (219) comments
(1k) Imagine having half your capital be underwater
Posted to r/2Osean4u (121) comments
(20k) General Shilage and Major Richter, aka Yellow 13, stand next to their aircraft after a flight exercise.
Posted to r/Military (722) comments
(2k)[FOX NEWS] Ravernal starships bombard Confederate cities as revenge
Posted to r/worldnews (39) comments
(100k) A Ravernal officer, Commander Jerrivk Salvus picked up by the Confederate Coast Guard. He's the captain of the ship that crashed in Gunther Bay.
Posted to r/pics (21k) comments
Perspectives
[Runepolis - Suburbs]
[Holy Milishial Empire]
[1623]
"I'm proud of you son-" His father said, a genuine smile on his face. Something that he hadn't seen in a long time.
"The examination you took, by the Gods even the Emperor himself said it. You're the most powerful mage in the kingdom." He gushed, glancing at the certification paper on the table before them.
"Well it's certainly a time to celebrate." His mother quipped from the sofa, a cup of tea and a small smile on her face. "Most of the family is still in the capital after Rosaline's marriage. They'll be thrilled to hear the results."
Andrius chuckled slightly, leaning back in his seat and picked up his certificate. "You mean you'll get to lord it over Uncle Mexler and cousin Wilbur."
"Quite right. I've been hearing him prattle on about Wilbur's accomplishments for too long. Oh Wilbur did this- did that-'' His mother slightly mimicked Mexler's voice. "Honestly, you'd think he'd keep his son on a tight leash after what happened."
Andrius nodded, one time Wilbur had gotten drunk and ended up arrested for public indecency in Parpaldia. It made a minor scandal in Esthirant, since Uncle Mexler was a visiting dignitary, and if they weren't from the First Civilization area, Wilbur would've been sentenced to hard labour or worse.
"Oh my son!" His father said excitedly, as he paced about the dining area. "You'll be in the Imperial Court, or the MCAAS" *(Ministry of Countermeasures Against the Ancient Sorcerous Empire)
Andrius's own smile turned brittle, slight resentment bubbling within as he listened to his father prattle on. Always you will, never you could. Ever since he had shown aptitude with magic, his father had gotten it in his head that Andrius could advance his own position in the government- and in the eyes of the Royal Family as well.
"Well, personally I prefer following in your footsteps in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I do really enjoy travelling abroad to the Second and Third Civilization areas."
And as usual, any suggestion or idea that went against his father's vision was dismissed.
"No. Don't waste away in there Andrius. It's exhaustive work and tedious. The MCAAS will be the best choice for you, given your talent with mana engineering. Besides, none of these other superpowers could match us in power."
"Mu certainly did." Andrius replied dryly. "In such a short time, they went from Leifor's current level, to where our Empire was a century ago. And it took us centuries to progress for the first time, from using muskets to bolt action rifles, to semi-automatics."
"Bah- while that may be true, and I do admit that the Muans are quite clever and perhaps the only other nation where I'd consider them on even footing- mechanical engineering and science will not triumph over magic."
Andrius suppressed a sigh and took a sip from the cup of orange juice, watching his parents prattle on about celebrations and whatnot. They were both the same, focusing on social standings and prestige. Honestly, if there was one thing he gladly learned from them, it was how to be more detached and distant- basically being more thick-skinned in a sense.
He gritted his teeth as his parents laughed at a shared joke. Their voices annoyed him, but… he traced his hand over the seal of approval on the certificate. He'd be able to cut loose soon enough, and never look back. If there was one thing his parents failed to realise, was that in all of his magical studies, the advancement of materials and technology was based on copying the Ancient Sorcerous Empire. The so-called technological ingenuity of the HME, was nothing but a farce, copying the Ravernals.
Andrius had done his own analysis and calculations based on current technological level and rate of progress, plus pulling a few favours here and there under the guise of research on his dissertation- meant that they would hit a deadlock soon. Eventually stagnating. And there was enough evidence for some to voice concerns that the Ravernals didn't necessarily need magic all too much. They focused on science in equal measures.
He let some passive mana flow around his hands, faint trails of lights twirled between his fingers. His father didn't know it, but it was actually from the Third Civilization and the so-called barbarian nations that he learned a larger variety of combat spells. The Milishials had such as well though not as well utilised. From his own travels to Parpaldia and its occupied nations, to countries outside the Civilization Zone, they continued to develop combat magic since they lacked the technology.
He let out a small chuckle at the disdain the other mages had shown towards the barbaric nations. For all their barbarism, there was always something one could learn from them. He learned just as much, if not better spells- from Altaras and Topa Kingdoms respectively. From common ones, such as dispelling bugs, to highly explosive fireballs… he had to practise in secret, out in the woods in the countryside. The mages always had a long cooldown. For him… magic always came naturally, he could do spells in quicker succession until his mana ran out- and it refilled quicker than the other mages. Andrius knew, just as this certificate was proof, he was strong. Stronger than the others. Rats… all of them. The voice in his head murmured as he stared at his parents.
His parents, like so many other people in the country- believed themselves to be supreme and that neighbouring nations had nothing to offer. And partially it was how he saw his fellow mages. Yes… rats. It was his first semester when one of the professors- decided to pick on him for some reason. Andrius bid his time, tolerating the passive-aggressiveness that the professor threw out. During finals, as part of a practical section, he had taken to utterly humiliating the professor with his own power. Afterwards, the professor had tried making some excuse in failing him- and Andrius decided to teach him something.
A simple lesson in humility.
And what a tragedy that the professor committed suicide.
[-]
The rest of his family arrived a couple days later in the afternoon, or at least the ones still around after Rosaline's wedding. He kept up smiles, shook hands with relatives and all of his annoying younger cousins and family members. They all looked at his certification- now proudly framed on the living room wall above the fireplace.
Dinner was served, something his aunts and grandmother had whipped up. Delicious and tasty- but he had to deal with multiple conversations at once, his uncles, cousins and close family friends, but also some of his father's friends in the government- and a couple distant members of the Royal Family. It was exhausting, because he wanted to read up on Muan engineering textbooks, but once his father handed him a glass of wine- "Cause you've earned it my boy!" things got better.
A Merlot, one of the bottles from Uncle Arlyn's famous vineyards. The soft taste of berries was familiar to him. This wasn't the first time he'd gone drinking- a couple years back, when he was home alone, a few bottles from the cellar might have gone missing here and there.
Not that his parents knew of course.
Soon afterwards, he sat on the outside patio. A small slice of chocolate cheesecake and a cup of hot chocolate placed nearby as Andrius gazed into the stars. The cool evening breeze, combined with adults quietly talking to one another around the backyard- the peaceful scene was good enough for him to relax.
Soon enough however, a pair of footsteps from behind caused him to sigh slightly in resignation. Andrius turned to face Hirkane Palpe, the director of the ADAAATO (Antiquities Department of Ancient Arms Analysis Tactical Operations) Seriously why did they make agency titles so lengthy?
"No doubt you're a bit exhausted after all that." The director chuckled. "I'm not the one for social gatherings much either. I'm more of an introvert and would rather read a book instead."
"My apologies, director. But as you've said, I too would choose the company of a good book." Andrius replied.
"Truly." Palpe nodded in agreement, taking a sip from his glass of wine before setting it off to the side table. "Now, your father mentioned quite vocally several times that you'll be pursuing a career in MCAAS and in the Imperial Court."
"Well not quite Mr. Palpe, my father assumes a bit too much." Andrius said, glancing back at the house.
Director Palpe seemed to understand. "Ah… I'm sorry. I've seen too many youngsters having their futures decided by their parents."
Andrius merely hummed in response, and stared off into the distance- towards the direction of downtown Runepolis.
"You should know, the Ravernals- for all their actions and power, they believed greatly in the concept of personal fulfilment and joy." Palpe said casually, and for the first time this evening, Andrius began to pay attention. "They conquered the world with their technology- but at the same time they learned something from the barbarians."
Palpe chuckled at Andrius's expression. "Oh yes, the feared Ravernal Empire, they were humbled and learned something from the conquered beings. Their armies crushed the pathetic resistance, but from all recovered records, they realised that the people- despite the occupation, they remained happy." Palpe smiled.
"Happy?" Andrius questioned. "They were glad to be occupied by the Ravernals?" He asked in slight confusion.
"Not of occupation in general, think of it like this: back then, concepts of nationalism were faint and distant. The people cared not for matters that occur overseas. Their concern started from their bedroom and ended at the edge of their farm. Contrary to popular belief, the Ravernals were not harsh to the conquered. Of course, they looked down on the races conquered, but never did they try to harm them after the battles, nor did they force anything upon them. The people were content to live their lives, tend to their farms and be happy in their own worlds." Palpe said, his eyes seemingly distant.
"The Ravernals, they began to understand that as well. They went through a couple major social changes when they came to this world. But the end result was that- the pursuit of happiness and joy was what everyone sought after in the end. It changed some of their attitudes towards the people. Perhaps, we all share common traits. Surely you've seen such examples when you tag along with your father to the Third Civilization areas."
"The furthest I've been was the Holy Kingdom of Corsaria a few years back, and I do understand what you're saying, Director. It was very peaceful out there. Father didn't want to, so I travelled all the way by myself eastwards to a town called Riverson, and the tip of the Celavestan peninsula." Andrius said with a shrug. "And I've seen the Great Eastern Countries Conference they held in Altaras and the coronation of Princess Lumies."
"Corsaria is a beautiful place. Their neighbouring countries on the Vestal and Arklay continents… a couple of them are getting near Leifor's level as well. And Altaras is growing to be an economic powerhouse. Something that the Parpaldians are no doubt becoming disturbed by." Palpe said.
"So likely the Foreign Office would draw the Civilization lines around the Annonrials entirely" Andrius remarked, and picked up his cup of hot chocolate. Taking a sip, the two stood in silence for several moments.
"Regardless, Andrius, your future is what you make it. Not your father. Forgive me for saying this, but eventually he'll understand whatever decision you'll end up making."
"Thank you Director Palpe."
"And if you want to actually end up pursuing a career in the MCAAS, I certainly can guarantee you a high position."
"I appreciate it. Thank you sir."
Director Palpe left eventually, and Andrius twirled the cup in his hands for a moment, staring up in the distant stars. He knew what he wanted to do, and it wasn't what his father wanted for him.
[Lake Superior]
[Little Two Harbors, Split Rock]
[Lake County, Minnesota]
[United States of the North American Union][Commonly referred to as the NAU]
William Brookridge stood on the oddly smooth stones of Pebble Beach. He clutched his windbreaker tightly as a cool breeze passed by. Even in springtime, the Minnesotan weather had its ups and downs. Especially this far up north. Kneeling, he picked up one of the rocks.
Smooth and soft. His mind supplemented the fact that erosion caused it- but Brookridge was fascinated by it in his own way. Gentle waves from Lake Superior lapped at the shoreline, and he sat down on top of the stones. Setting his backpack aside, Brookridge took in the gorgeous view. Large, scattered clouds covered the sun for the time being, and he let out a sigh of contentment. The still mirror-like surface of the lake, as he stared off into the distance, it might as well have been an endless ocean right then and there.
"I swear, this is the only place where I don't have my nightmares." He said out loud. The only other noise being the waves and the rustling of trees behind him.
"Everytime I go to sleep, I'm back. Back in China, opposite the Yangtze." He threw the stone into the lake. "Back in that building, wondering if today's the day they take a crack at us."
He picked up a different stone, and threw that one into the lake as well. "Then we got sent to the Korean front. I thought that'll be it buddy. Just a little longer and we'll go home."
"My best friend died in Pyongyang, then you guys died too." Brookridge paused for a moment, gazing at Ellingson Island. "But I didn't. Came back that day, and eventually left that place with a DSC… but without you guys."
He considered taking out a cigarette, but reminded himself that he was in a state park. "War changes people… every single veteran says that. People are scarred and traumatised by it."
There was no one else on Pebble Beach. Brookridge let out a broken laugh, as he collapsed on the stones. "Maybe you guys are surprised and shocked. Maybe you'll hate me for it."
"I could never quite adjust back into civilian life like you guys would have. Some of you had families to come back to. I had nothing. Just nothing."
Brookridge stood up again, backpack in one hand and another stone in the other.
"In the military, I felt at home. I felt normal. But back here in the states, I feel like a stranger."
He flung the stone again into the lake. "So I re-upped."
Brookridge slung his backpack over again. Taking in the scenery of Pebble Beach and Lake Superior. He took it all in. The tranquillity, the peaceful environment. And he turned to walk back towards his car. Clutching the rock in his hand, he opened the trunk of his car, and tossed it in the back along with his bag.
Getting inside the car, he stared at the dashboard and the giant Ford logo on the steering wheel. Brookridge looked at the car next to him- a Charger R/T, and down the row, a sleek Audi SUV was parked. He could easily afford both cars, something he'd joked with his buddies that once they came stateside… they would get sports cars and race one another. The memory brought a brief smile, though it disappeared quickly. On the passenger seat, two letters were enclosed. Letters that he had written to the dead comrades- and the men that had gotten killed serving under him.
He wrote the best he could, about each and every one of them. All that he knew about them, the interactions he had with them, and generally bringing out the best of them. They deserved that. His wrist ached slightly, starting each letter addressed to the surviving family. It didn't bring the dead back- but he wanted them to know, to know and understand that somewhere out there, someone was also mourning in their own way. And to acknowledge that they weren't forgotten.
Brookridge had been driving around the country doing that- mustering up the nerve and courage to write the letters as well, and dropping them off at their addresses. Driving on the I-15, the desolate Nevada landscape slowly changed as Henderson drew near… to the equally desolate I-40 on his drive back towards Albuquerque. Then swinging north to Colorado, Fort Carson was his first duty station and revisiting many of the areas in the state made him feel bittersweet. Though visiting Gray's and Pettingell Peaks respectively was oddly refreshing. He drove to the Pacific Northwest, to the East Coast… and there was something cathartic but liberating at the same time. Brookridge couldn't muster the courage to personally hand them the letters. Just leaving them in their mailboxes was all that he could do lest he have a mental breakdown.
Just two letters left, in his home state. One in Duluth- and the other down in Albert Lea. Lindstraum and Kaspers. He pressed down on the clutch, and started the car. The Focus ST came to life as always, and he drove out of the National Park.
The drive back to Duluth was uneventful, the CD player hummed out Bohemian Rhapsody and Brookridge followed the GPS directions. An hour or so later, it took him to Piedmont Heights, small suburban houses and he slowed to around 10 MPH to read the house numbers until he found the right one. Parking at the curb, he shut the engine off and grabbed one of the letters. To the family of Staff Sergeant Edmund A. Lindstraum it read.
Brookridge quickly walked up to the mailbox and put it in. And came back into the car, started it and drove off. Through the rearview mirror, he saw a woman step outside the house- likely Edmund's wife. Lindstraum talked about her, and their two children.
He couldn't bear the thought of facing her.
The woman and the rest of the neighbourhood turned into a distant speck once he rounded some corners. The GPS was set to Glencoe, a small town roughly an hour west of the Twin Cities where people mostly from Hutchinson drove through it to get on or off US 212, and it was where he had grown up before studying abroad. Just a quick stop at his house, and then off to Albert Lea.
[-]
It was a little over midnight when he arrived, and about ten in the morning as Brookridge blearily stared at the beer box. Several bottles, a few opened canned food, mixed with CBS news playing in the background on the TV. "Oil spills into the Hudson River after a transformer fire, fourth suspect arrested in connection with the killing of two Mississippi police officers."
He rubbed his forehead, and downed the bottle. Since he wasn't coming back- hell it would be his sister's place. Like him, she wanted out of the small town and exploring the world at large. Ended up pregnant in LA and her boyfriend vanished. She'd worked hard, various jobs to make ends meet. She talked with mom and dad, and himself. They sent money and whatnot- until he told her she could have his house, and let her son grow up in a relatively safe place.
He told them he was re-upping and left them almost all of his Powerball winnings as another reason. His sister, his parents were smart. Instead of spending it on crap, he was mildly surprised at them saving it. Regardless, she would have this house, and he would be off to Fort Campbell. 101st Airborne…
"Time to sleep first. Then… later-" he stifled a burp as he stood up. His head was spinning, but managed to stumble into the bedroom and fall on the bed. He would clean the mess later.
The dark path illuminated by the moonlight as he walked with his buddies in a wedge. The familiar weight of his M4, the rucksack and navigating down the ruined metropolis… Always the sensation of being watched. It was just like the stories his grandpa would tell in Vietnam.
"The Vietnamese, they'll get you. They'll rub mud and dirt all over em' and hide. They'll let the first patrol walk by, and the second, and the third. It didn't matter to them nothing' until some unlucky sonofabitch comes by and Charlie decides, I'll kill em' all. And they would do just that. Don't fucking slip up out there. Afghans, Iraqis, they're an insurgency. They ain't stupid. Now I've seen the news on FOX and CNN, they make them out to be hill people, primitive and idiotic. They're about as far from that as possible. The Taliban leaders, al-Qaeda, they're pretty fucking smart. Smart enough to hijack and take advantage of our lack of security! And pulled off 9/11, and the bombings prior. They know how to target the people. They know how to fight a war against superior opponents. Guaranteed, that fucker bin Laden studied the Vietnam War, how Ho Chi Min fought the Japs, the French, then us."
"We looked down on the gooks. The Vietnamese, Koreans and the Japs. And what happened? We got our asses handed to us. We beat the Japs, but their ferocity in defending those sprinkles of land in the Pacific took us off guard. The Koreans… by god! The South fought tooth and nail over Seoul. And the North too. They were strong, and cunning. Vietnam wasn't any different. Their people had been fighting since the 40s. They were built for war, prepared for it. By God's will, they'll fight anyone that crosses their path. And the Taliban, hell the Afghans, they're gonna be just as brutal and violent. Kicked the British, and then the Soviets. Don't ever underestimate your enemies. Insult and belittle them of course, but never ever underestimate them. Don't fucking matter if you're going up against swords and spears. Sometimes good ol fighting spirit can easily bridge the gap between a 'technologically advanced' country and a primitive one."
His grandfather's words were burned in his mind. The walk was mostly uneventful, rounding back into the FOB as the locals watched them shattered windows. In front of him, Sergeant Rivers turned around to say something, only for a burst of gunfire to interrupt his words. He took cover, along with the rest of his squad. Rivers ducked down as well, hugging the walls. A response burst from a SAW somewhere from Lt. Piers's squad.
The People's Liberation Army and other paramilitaries still fought over this city even if the 1st Infantry Division had cut off the escape route. Encircled, they still fought fiercely over the rubble and what little territory they had on this edge of the Yangtze. And beyond the old ancient river, the PLA were gathering two armies to drive back the Australians in the north, and the 40th ID to the south.
"The buildings on the edge! Left flank!" Lieutenant Ingram shouted and Brookridge followed where he was pointing. No sooner than that, muzzle flash and the splatter of warm liquid on his neck was telling enough of what happened to Ingram. He raised the M4, the NODs illuminating the small infrared dot from his PEQ-15 and squeezed the trigger.
Still better than the hellish pit that was Beijing, where 2nd and 25th ID were locked in a brutal struggle where they were slowly driving back two motorised infantry brigades and an armoured division.
Same old comforting dreams as usual.
[Fort Campbell]
[Kentucky]
[United States of the North American Union]
Brookridge stood at attention with the other officers as the change of command ceremony began. He only wore his beret three times in the past. Earning his blue cord at the end of OSUT, finishing Airborne School- and commissioning as an officer. He couldn't remember the last time they had a CoC ceremony back at Carson- then again, the whole division went to war in Korea and then China.
It was a cloudy day as the entire 502nd Regiment stood on the parade field with a giant 101st AIRBORNE DIVISION banner with the Screaming Eagle looming over them while Brookridge stared off into space. Focusing briefly on the stiffness of his feet with the new pair of boots and cursed himself for not wearing his usual Garmonts. And he automatically brought his hand up when they shouted "Present arms!" He took a deep breath as the NAU anthem played over several speakers. "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing-" and held it until the final verse, "Protect us by thy might, Great God our President."
A moment of silence, then "Order Arms!" And he let his arm fall to his side.
Colonel Levington shook hands with Colonel Irvine while battalion commanders and their XOs watched nearby.
"All this so two full birds can jerk each other off." A lieutenant next to him muttered and Brookridge was inclined to agree. He stood in front of his company, right in the middle where the commanding officers were in front of them. He could hear them tell each other things like "Great merit and honour-" And he wondered if Colonel Levington led the brigade in China, or just someone who replaced a good commander. Simply because some of the company commanders and battalion XOs used to be platoon leaders that bled overseas. Like Captain Ehrenbaum, whose boots Brookridge was stepping up to fill.
"Kinda wish I was on staff duty today." The lieutenant murmured again, though the man stiffened when the Brigade Command Sergeant Major glanced in their direction. The sergeant major had two stars on his CIB, along with pretty much every skills tab you could earn- unlike Colonel Irvine. He read on a flyer earlier that listed a brief biography of Irvine and it didn't seem all that impressive overall. Transferred from- you guessed it! Fort Irvine in California, the colonel was just one of the faceless staff officers that existed in the bureaucracy.
The rest of the ceremony was just as exciting as watching paint dry. Hell, he thought back on to his high school days where you could doze around. Shifting his feet slightly, Brookridge let out a small sigh and stifled a yawn that almost made it out. When the ceremony finally ended and the regimental colours were rolled up and put away, most of the soldiers there looked forward to being done for the day.
He wished he could join them.
You did this to yourself, because you couldn't hack it in the real world. You're not normal. You enjoyed hurting people, we wait for you in hell Brookridge-
"First Lieutenant Richard Trier, he's your XO Captain." Major Ripley introduced the two, and Trier- the lieutenant that was muttering earlier, saluted him. He returned the salute. Trier had a CAB and air assault tabs, with the OLD IRONSIDES patch on his shoulder.
"We're still in the process of restructuring the division, and you have a lot of newer soldiers in your company." Ripley explained, which was a nice way of saying the Army was hurting for numbers.
The war in China gutted them deeply. Millions of Chinese and American youth were six feet under. An entire generation ripped brutally apart by forces beyond their control. President Eden called it a supreme victory, but it really didn't feel that either side won.
"Good to hear sir." Brookridge replied, "What should I be expecting? I handled all my stuff at S1 yesterday, but I believe Sergeant Koto said there might be some minor issues here and there."
"If there's any issues, let me or Lt. Colonel Vaskers know." Major Ripley smiled at him and tapped his 4th ID patch on the right shoulder. "1st Brigade was my first unit. Loved the mountains out there before they sent my ass to Iraq."
The two men shared a short laugh.
Iraq and Afghanistan felt like a lifetime ago, despite the war in China occurring within the same decade.
"Welcome to the new Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 502nd PIR. Good luck captain, you'll need it." Ripley said and Brookridge nodded in response.
He walked next to Trier as they went to their company.
"I was a tanker before I went to BOLC, had us attack Shenzhen with the 3rd Marine Division…" Trier's face fell. "We lost a lot that day." He added with a small voice, it was something Brookridge could sympathise with completely. He wasn't in Shenzhen himself, but he'd seen the pictures. Even today, they still exchanged corpses of American soldiers and PLA soldiers found on either Chinese or NAU soil.
"We have a rough schedule to work with here, but as the CO you have control over this." Trier explained and the two got to work with the long road of administrative tasks that lay before them.
He saw two privates at the CQ desk. Joking amidst themselves and shifting restlessly with boredom that plagued almost everyone in the military, and for a moment he saw himself in both of them. Fresh out of OSUT, arriving at Carson with wide eyes and a million questions on the tip of his tongue. No wonder why his team leader, from the moment they met– smoked the utter dogshit out him.
Tough but amazing bastard… a shame what happened to him. Fly high corporal…
[Rodenius Sea]
[1625]
Andrius loved the breeze and the breathtaking view of the ocean before him. The sun was slowly setting, seemingly almost touching the water in the distance. Above him, the Parpaldian flag flapped in the wind and he walked along the side of the ship. It was a merchant vessel bound for Louria, and they had let him come aboard.
"Enjoying the view sir?" The jovial voice came from the Parpaldian naval officer. Turning to face him, Andrius smiled in response.
"Most certainly Lieutenant Ekker, I always love seaborne voyages. There's always a certain sense of beauty and adventurous spirit in all of them."
"Glad to hear it, though I do apologise that we don't have a suitable vessel for someone of your status-"
"Do not worry about that Lieutenant. I'm just happy to be here. And I'm not on any official business with the Foreign Ministry."
"Still, to have a Milishial diplomat with us…" Ekker trailed off and Andrius leaned against the railing.
"What is the schedule for the Duke of Eshirant? Captain Yorin mentioned it would take a total of two months for the voyage to and back from Louria."
"Yes, well… mostly because we also see it as a vacation opportunity along the Lourian coast and trade isn't as busy. When we make port at Jin-Hark, myself and the other officers will meet briefly and decide on a firmer timetable then."
Andrius nodded in response. "That's fine. I'm just debating whether or not I want to visit Qua-Toyne."
"Qua-Toyne huh? I don't blame you for wanting to go there. Demi-human ladies really are something!" Some of Ekker's joviality disappeared for a moment. "Though I wish our empire would stop the use of slavery. Even Leifor gave up that practice a decade ago."
Andrius hummed a melody but didn't answer. Ekker's heart was in the right place, he'd give him that. Parpaldia was one of the very few civilised nations that had slavery. His colleague was actually in the process of drafting a letter of condemnation for Director Elt of the Parpaldian Foreign Ministry.
He was suddenly jolted out of his thoughts when the ship lurched and shook violently, almost throwing him off balance. Lieutenant Ekker wasn't so lucky, as he was thrown forward and down the stairs onto the main deck. Shouts and exclamations of surprise came from the other sailors as they ran about. Just a couple seconds later, an explosion ripped through from below.
"The gunpowder stores! I swear if he decided to smoke down there-" Lieutenant Ekker's words were cut off by a bigger explosion that sent both of them flying- and Andrius had managed to throw up a rudimentary shield with his magic before he fell into the ocean.
[-]
Swim! His mind screamed, and Andrius kicked upwards as he flailed in the water.
Memories of swimming in Lake Garlan on a warm sunny day. Wasn't ever cold like this.
Water breathing spell works for six minutes. Used by mages for coastal rescue in the Sios Kingdom.
Fueled by desperation, his hands glowed faintly before he felt his lungs clear up. His vision cleared up, Andrius looked around him and didn't find any trace of the Parpaldian vessel. Terror gripped his heart as he mentally pictured their sailing path before the explosion- and the ocean was a big place.
Not today. Not dying today.
Breaking through the surface, he took in heaving gasps of air while he tried to tread the water. There were no signs of the Duke of Eshirant, not even the debris that would've surely remained from explosions.
How long was I….
Andrius noticed the sky above him for the first time. Twilight black with billions of stars as far as the eye could see. Him, a single living creature lost and alone amid a cruel unforgiving sea. He stared at the sky uncomprehendingly, before panic began to creep in again.
Conjuration? He suddenly recalled that the Ravernals had a significantly higher level of control and capability with magic- something that didn't help him now. He settled back on conjuration as he treaded the water, the dark ocean calm and serene.
Picture it in your mind-
A short wooden log materialised, created from him pouring his mana into it and it was only then that Andrius realised how low his mana was.
Creating the shield. Very strong explosion. That's why.
And he was very cold.
With a bit of struggle, he managed to tie his long sleeve shirt to the log to make sure that it didn't float away- or him losing grip. His right hand glowed briefly once more with amber light. And blissful warmth coursed through the rest of his body, driving away the cold embrace of the ocean, and calmed him down.
If only a little.
For the next five to six hours, Andrius had to use his mana sparingly- already rather low from creating the shield and the log, he would wait for his reserves to build a little and fuel either the log so that it wouldn't disappear, or used it for brief moments of warmth lest he froze to death.
All the while he floated endlessly amid the sea, and the sky was beginning to brighten up. He was already dreading the sunlight, predicting that it would make the surface of the sea blinding- and it would burn his back. But he felt hope, when he saw a ship in the distance.
A large metal ship, something advanced enough that he knew instantly it wasn't from any of the nearby nations. Certainly not Parpaldia! It reminded him of the industrialised ships from Mu. Not necessarily the more sleeker design of Milishian ships.
Still, it was hope.
Mustering up strength, Andrius moved his legs despite their protests and ignored the strained sensation of his muscles. The large ship, a cargo ship now that he looked further, wouldn't be able to notice him.
But he still had one option.
He recalled the spell, a simple one formerly used by Parpaldian mages embedded with the infantry to signal wyvern support and to mark their own positions. It would send a series of coloured sparks into the air, just like a flare gun. They had used it during the early days of expansion into the Philades Continent.
Raising his right arm into the air, a bright red orb formed and launched into the air. It flew high and true, with a trail of smoke following behind it. The cargo ship didn't do anything, or he just didn't notice anything right away, but he saw some people on the deck pointing-
Andrius used the rest of his mana to fire two more before exhaustion overtook him. His last recollection was slowly sinking into the sea.
[-]
He eventually woke up again to voices. Voices speaking in a language he didn't recognize. Opening his eyes slightly, he saw that he was in a medical room. Shelves of pills and other medical equipment on the walls, while the window next to him displayed the ocean. Now much more turbulent and stormy outside.
His mouth and throat were parched, and Andrius saw a couple bottles of water, a plate with apples and an orange- and a note in a language he didn't recognize.
Looking around, he didn't hear anybody, so he quickly drank the water earnestly and ate the fruit provided for him. Only after his thirst and hunger were momentarily satiated, he picked up the note and did a mental check of his mana reserves.
Partially restored, much better than when he was floating adrift. And he noticed on the far side of the wall, a world map was pinned and he didn't recognize any of the countries that were on it. Hesitantly stepping forward, he examined the map. The language was undecipherable, and the quality was incredible.
Applying a translation spell, something he learned from an Altaran noble- the words slowly aligned and shifted until he understood what it said.
MAP OF USEA, presented by the International Geographical Surveyor Corps.
Countries like Erusea, San Salvacion, Delarus… names he didn't recognize at all. He trailed his finger over Farbanti and settled on a region labelled Chopinburg Forest. Swallowing nervously, Andrius walked over and read the note.
Hello! Welcome aboard the Centauri, We have what's left of your clothes upstairs.
He was interrupted when the door opened and a man with a white coat stepped in. "Oh! You're awake. That's good to see." The translation spell worked and Andrius nodded in response to the doctor's words. "I am Doctor Scharner, and you're currently aboard the Centauri. We picked you up in the Spring Sea, hundreds of kilometres away from land." The man smiled at him gently and sat across from him.
"Doctor…" Andrius croaked out, his voice hoarse and anxious at the same time. "Where is this ship heading to? And what is the date?"
Doctor Scharner replied immediately. "We are currently heading back to our country, Belka. According to the captain, the government has suddenly ordered all ships to return- especially since we're carrying grain and oil. Originally we were supposed to dock at San Salvacion…" The doctor trailed off before clearing his throat.
"As for the date, it is March 1st, 1995."
A/N: And that's it for the first chapter. It was originally around 16 to 17k words but I decided to move that to the next chapter. Starting things off explosively, and Andrius finding himself roughly a month before the Belkan War breaks out. I'm eager and hopefully do my best in exploring the new AU history that would lead to the creation of the Confederate Nations of Usea and a much different Osean Federation. Also just a very different and unique take of Ravernals being incredibly advanced.
One part will be the ongoing conflict between the Ravernals and the World, and the other will focus everything that happens before that. I'm in the subreddit and in the Fortress City discord under [Reflectionist]Kurt, shoot me a question if you have any.
I'll try to update often, but things are often hectic.
