Amid the purple skies, the rays of dusk were beginning to fade with the sun.
The Iron Cavalry flew above the clouds, the surviving Knights arranged in two line formations representative of Fyrefly Squadrons 1 and 3. I was at the left side of Squad 3, looking towards Squad 1 going ahead of us.
[So far, so good. No Swarm signals... yet,] AR-5418 scanned.
[You still keeping an eye out, commander?] AR-2504 chimed beside me. [It's just three minutes before we're at the Garrison.]
[That's exactly what Recon Model Frames are for, 2504. They're meant to monitor the battlezone and keep you Knights updated. Besides, how would you have been able to complete your first mission without the proper data on your enemies?]
[Well, even so we Assault and Striker Models would have crushed the Swarm and eliminated their new anti-air anyways!] proclaimed AR-12345, who was at the right of our line.
A loud sigh. [You don't seem to get it, do you simple-number? How else would you have dealt those Crashers? Hit them until they bleed?]
[I, uh...]
A brief chuckle filled the shared communications channel.
[You were saying, 12345?] 2504 asked.
[I-I guess that's how it goes, yeah!] the Buster raised their shoulders in flight.
[If only you knew what we're up against,] AR-1974, a Pan of Squad 1, stated. [You better boost up your combat knowledge, because our enemies never wait for your assault.]
[Are you underestimating my capacity for battle? I'll have you know I've been wary about-]
[Alright, quiet down, all units.] ordered 5418. [We're almost there.]
As we plummeted in and out of the cloud cover, my visor detects a large domed structure in the middle of the Point Plateau. As soon as its silhouette was identified, sensors streamed details on its design and specifications.
[A Garrison.] AR-2499 indicated.
[Is this where we'll be for now?] I can't help but ask.
[Looks like it.]
This is one of three active Garrisons on Falakor. Given the entomons that we faced, they were built by the Welkin Empire to serve as static, ground bases for the war effort. Eventually, they were passed on to us Iron Cavalry Knights, becoming silver armored hubs from which we would coordinate our operations world-wide.
[Incoming Knights.] A baritone voice connected to our channel, coming from the base. [Confirm your Unit.]
[This is Unit 238b. Two Fyrefly Squadrons. All Wakened, except me – AR-5418, their commander.] My external sensors light up with a faint feeling – our Unit was being scanned given that we were in proximity. [We've been transferred here from the Fersei Expanse and are standing by until our next mission.]
[Acknowledged.]
Access data on one of the entrance gates was sent for our entry, coupled with a flight trajectory to follow.
[Human genetic identifications pass,] the voice continued. [I am AR-4077, a Type-III Strategic Sentinel Recon Model Knight. Welcome to the Iron Cavalry's 17th Garrison, Unit 238b.]
We reduced our flight speed, adjusting our thrusters for landing. Skywalk greaves eventually land upon steel tiles (sometimes with a wrist guard touching the floor), and the gate behind us slowly closed.
Already my sensors notice numerous Iron Cavalry active throughout the Garrison, both with and without their armors. Some were also present in the launch bay where we were now at, readying for whatever missions they are given.
[What a first mission!]
[No sudden moves there, comrade...]
I note 12345's coarse tenor and AR-48884's mature voice – did they disable their voice modulation system already? Isn't it only after they exit their Frame's cockpit will they be able to speak their own voice?
Which meant violating Article 4 of Glamoth's Military Regulations.
[...And before you even think about stretching in that damaged Frame of yours, it's best you have your repairs at an armory.]
[Right! I almost forgot... which Article was it?]
[Article 26: Any able Iron Cavalry Knight should abide with routine maintenance as needed.] AR-73251's modulation was still active as she looked at the dumbfounded Buster of Squad 3. [This applies during combat pauses, granted that a Support Model Frame is present.]
[Oh, right! I'll... go ahead with that, then.]
1974 let out a bated breath as the three went on to the right bulkhead. [I think I'll pass on the maintenance – we've gained enough combat data to be organized at the data hub.]
[Can you do it on your own, 1974?] asked 5418.
[Do you think I'm not up for this? There were ground Swarm strains present, of course I have to help manage the catalog!]
A chuckle. [I'm counting on you, then. Meanwhile, I expect another conversation with a certain Pulverizer stationed here. He never takes to a battlezone these days.]
[I see. May we fight again soon, for Her Majesty.]
[For Her Majesty.] Squad 1's Pan was next to leave, followed by our command Tracker shortly after. [Yeah, right.]
Which left the three of us.
I turn to 2504 and 2499, their Frames showing obvious damage from our battle. [We should head for an armory now. We have to follow maintenance procedures before our next mission order.]
[Agreed. It seems this Garrison is a vital stop point,] said the Sustainer.
[Are you coming with us, 2504?]
[I'm staying up for a while. Have to check out this base first.] The Valiant's already disabled her modulation, revealing her voice. [You saw me before, 26710 – whenever I'm not in combat, I tend to admire Glamoth's military apparatus.]
[You do know we've arrived from battle. Even with our Frames vaporizing any subversive agent on contact, be it the Swarm's blood or pheromones...]
[I know, I know! I'll be at the armory where you're at. Is that okay?]
The brief silence that followed had to be broken...
[I think it's alright,] I look to 2504.
Immediately she broke into a light jog.
[Thanks! I'll see you Knights later!]
[Just avoid the main hallways, 2504!]
[I get that!]
The center bulkhead shut, obscuring her Frame soon after.
2499 faced me with a long sigh. They seemed like they were worried.
[Let's just follow routine maintenance.]
As I pass through an outer corridor, my mind began browsing additional data provided on Glamoth's network.
The white exterior dome of an Iron Cavalry Garrison is mainly comprised of military-grade plating. Several dispensers are installed within this durable layer, providing a pheromone masking agent that 'hides' the exact location of the base from any passing Swarm. Of course, one does not dismiss the chance of an attack from the Silver Stings, no matter how small the percentage is.
The interior, however, was designed to accommodate the needs of any Knight. For those serving in battle, the launch bays and armories are easily accessible at ground level, while the command center is located at the upper level if our superiors require crucial information on the next mission. The lower level has more specialized facilities such as the arsenal and the data hub, as well as containing the central reactor.
There may come a time when I am able to access the other areas... Perhaps not until I've served long enough to warrant answering that curiosity.
By the time I arrived at the side door leading to an armory section, it opened. A Type-III Valiant left, their routine maintenance concluded.
Some of the holding chambers were occupied by blank Frames, while others were taken by the Iron Cavalry, if their active helms and connected cables were obvious indications. The majority of said active Knights were Type-Vs in the Support Model category. There was also one Type-IV Strategic Stalwart Assault Model – a powerful Frame given its reinforced motors and angular design adding to its bulk armor.
Just as my sensors notify that it's capable of carrying heavy ordnance, the Stalwart tilted their head to face me.
[Hmph. More Wakened.]
[?]
It took me a moment to break off from my glance.
Reaching a vacant holding, I adjusted my footing. The holding began to rotate once I stepped in, and I felt a pulse pass through my body.
Those cables – even if I couldn't see them through my visor, I picked up the faint slithering noise they made.
They approached me. Then they attached to my Frame.
Connection to 17th Garrison Armory B registered.
My eyes instinctively shut their eyelids, and my jaw clenched. At the same time, the heat within my chest began to grow unbearable.
It felt like I was being pricked by needles, but fortunately I was made to withstand any sort of pain. Every Knight does not fear it... well, almost every warrior of Glamoth.
Await regeneration of AR-26710's genetic code and shapeshifting ootheca of Fyrefly Type-IV Heavy Frame.
My mind confirms the process on its own. My Frame's inner coating and functions lock in place, preventing me from any move that may disrupt the maintenance process.
Soon the cables pierce my body. The frail body within the armor.
"-!" It's overwhelming..!
With a gasp, my eyes light up – and vitality begins flowing back to me.
Run closed telepathic emulation of Her Majesty Empress Titania.
(／0＼)
The dream resumed.
This time, though, it was a different collection of scenes, each one painting a bleak event.
A single light in the blackened, red sky.
A massive pulse of energy, sweeping things organic and inorganic alike.
"...May I present to you: Titania, firstborn of the Fae Sequence Order..."
I notice a voice – who was that speaking...?
A world once home to life, turning pale in that instant. A lone pin in orbit of the wasteland, and several ships escaping the surface.
And a river forming from it long after – once filled mostly with chitinous husks, then pieces of metal began gathering around it...
"...and leader of Glamoth's Iron Cavalry."
The voice continued. It wasn't relating to this sight of destruction, right?
Unconsciously my eyes blinked.
The scene switched immediately.
This is...
It was at the Hershen-vielle Palace, in Glamoth's capital sector of Aubrellis.
She stepped into the front building as the wide doors were opened, feeling the cordial atmosphere the halls exuded. Pale daylight shone from windows at either side, some illuminating the central carpet she walked upon that would guide her to the chamber. Standing around her were each member of the ruling council, awaiting her arrival with bated breaths.
And welcome her they did. They had anticipated this pivotal moment in the history of Glamoth.
The doors are closed by her armored guards. Everyone looked to the woman in a white sleeveless dress that reached her knees, enhanced by ornaments of green and a circlet endowed with the rarest gems found in Falakor.
Her silvery-blonde hair was tied in a high ponytail. Her rounded eyes momentarily saw everything, their irises bearing the unique colors of the pure ocean and the pink summer dusk. And her skin was more than fair.
To any onlooker, she would have been described as an angle, or even the image of the ideal maiden. Indeed she was brought into this world with such features, once thought impossible.
But to me, to the Iron Cavalry, we wholly recognize Her appearance. We are all born in Her likeness, after all.
"I am Empress Titania. I am summoned at the behest of the Council of Luminaries. Starting today, as the assigned leader of the Iron Cavalry Regiment, I will do my utmost for our nation. For Glamoth."
Her tender voice lends credence to her already magnificent image. Her benevolence and kindness were reflected in the words she spoke, especially when it came to addressing her people.
The same people dressed in formal garments surrounded her. To her eye, they looked as if most of them were tired from years of work within this Palace. Even her telepathic mind understands this all too well – from their memories, they have ruled over a nation desperate for survival... against an unstoppable foe from the cosmos.
Immediately the air changed, a mixture of wonder, respect and intrigue setting in.
"She has arrived!" a middle-aged man rapturously declared.
"It is an honor to work alongside you," a fresh-faced adult eagerly states. "I know you will drive those bugs from beyond the Cosmos away!"
One of the elderly looked distant. "So it begins. We've resolved to adapt to this horrible war... by unlocking the full potential of our human genome."
I watch on, hearing the words uttered by these 'Luminaries' – these members of the ruling council.
"Will this work?" another of middle age pondered with skepticism. "Letting one person – no less someone so... surreal – to lead what remains of our military against the bugs? Is this the only way...?"
"You worry too much." The elder placed her hand on him. "She reminds me of a particular character from that faerie tale – was it Fiiby?"
A woman could be heard sobbing in joy. "You have done so much to arrive here on your own..." She wiped tears from her eye. "The Fae Sequence Order – it is a success!"
"Of course it is," the young adult remarked. "She and the new humanity will stand for us – for the Republic of Glamoth."
Wait, 'Republic of Glamoth'?
Did this take place from before our current time? Her Majesty permitted us not to question the order that our nation is established upon, seeing as this constitutes a violation of Article 23 of Glamoth's Military Regulations.
Even so, I don't sense anyone noticing, or even the Empress seeing through my thoughts.
Something deep within me is curious. I can't understand what, but...
"She's majestic, isn't she?"
At a peculiar tenor voice, I turn to someone beside me. A young man.
His modified uniform of sorts and auburn hair strung in a ponytail made him stand out from the rest. Was he a normal citizen who somehow entered the Palace?
I wanted to ask him, but then a sudden pressure stopped me.
"Out of everyone in the new humanity... she was the only one capable of dreaming."
When all was said, the Luminaries made way, as expected. They let their puppet monarch walk on to the next door in front of her, their voices beginning to quiet down.
Each of the council members held their own expectations about her. But even if they could not notice her telepathy reading their minds, or even feel a soft, invisible tug in their heads... she never cared for anyone's opinions or thoughts.
For Titania, all that mattered was ensuring their nation – her nation – survived.
With a wordless order, her many Knights will defend that paradise of 'liberty' and 'democracy'...
Until they either fall, or their enemy is no more.
Still gripping my chest, I watched Her Majesty proceed to the door ahead.
"I wonder if I once thought of being here, just like in that faerie tale..."
The young man was nowhere to be seen when I looked back.
(／0＼)
Terminate telepathic emulation.
Every neuron in my body was lit up like a fire when I woke back up, the helm's vision overlaying the reality I just returned to. It was only in this moment that I noticed how harsh my breathing was.
"...26710. Respond."
[...Yeah, are you still there?!]
Two voices – one energetic, and the other stern – further brought me back to my senses. Both of them sounded worried.
Regeneration of gene sequence and nanomaterial-data composition complete. Entropy at stable levels.
[2499? And 2504...] The former's in his suit, which meant he left his cockpit already. [How long was it?]
"Not for long. I was about head to the arsenal on the lower level, just as I was done here."
[You had us worried! For a moment, I thought you were about to fade away in your armor or something!]
The Valiant was relieved. [Guess I'm next in line. Signal me if we're sent on a mission, or if something comes up.] She marched off to a vacant holding chamber.
"You ought to have done that sooner..." I hear the Sustainer of Squad 1 mutter to himself as he put a hand to his short hair. "You can exit your cockpit – our Unit commander permitted us now," he said to me.
I felt the cables withdraw, the holding chamber having administered my treatment and repairs. A second later, my Frame's internal systems unlocked, allowing me to step out.
Article 4 of Glamoth's Military Regulations: Unnecessary exit out of a Frame cockpit is strictly prohibited. Article 4 Subsection A: The only exceptions are unless a superior such as a Unit commander permits it, or when not in an active battlefield...
"AR-26710?"
[Oh.] Did he notice while I pondered? [My apologies.]
Fyrefly Type-IV Heavy Frame: Dampen.
At my reluctant acceptance (in my mind, even), the armor began to dissipate – first as a scanning line ran from helm to greave, its nanite data beginning to reform into the outline of a Shaper that began manifesting in one of my hands. Then, a fire burst from me, turning the Frame into embers while my body heat was redistributed back to my whole being. In that timeframe, it felt like my senses were being normalized, disconnected from the green visor and cold metallic form I have become accustomed to.
What was once a towering ashen knight, now floated a pale human with silver hair in a bob cut, her feet touching the heat-resistant flooring.
"Your vital signs briefly peaked. We couldn't reach you, knowing you were still linked to the Empress' dream."
"Was I unresponsive at that time?"
"Maintenance at an armory is different from the one provided by Support Model Frames. The holding chamber makes it so that you are held in place as your body and Frame are replenished." 2499's eyes met mine. "The only concern I have is what happened."
What happened in the dream, or what happened before arriving here...
I had a moment to think about what I wanted to say.
"Back in our first mission, there was this numbness that flared in my body. I couldn't move freely in my armor, let alone fight, but it lasted for a short while."
"Hmm." The Sustainer hummed. "That's a symptom of Entropy Loss for you."
"Huh?"
"It's a genetic condition imprinted in the Iron Cavalry. Our network indicates that it's characterized by a numbing pain. Whenever that occurs, a Knight will be made vulnerable, even on the battlezone. But even with Glamoth's genetic regeneration technology, we Iron Cavalry have a set limit on how long we can fight."
His expression darkened.
"It may be just me, but... if we don't do our part, then it'll be over for us."
Hearing those words sent a shiver up my spine. Out of that discomfort my eyes trail to a dormant Type-V Buster in a holding chamber.
That fear of an undignified end, not too different from what AR-410 had in that moment – it felt disgraceful to think about further. Even with my body's sensors allaying my worries, the mere thought of being unable to fight goes against what we Knights stand for.
Article 1: Knights should feel honored to be born.
"AR-2499," I look back. "It's still early to be concerned about our lives. We are born as Her Majesty's Knights, so what matters is that we do what we can for Her."
"I know that."
"If we dedicate to the battles to come, then even death won't matter for us. At least, that's what I think."
"26710..."
The atmospheric silence of a few operational holdings set in.
Then a slight chuckle left 2499's mouth.
"For an Assault Model Knight, you sure know how the Iron Cavalry goes."
"?" I tilt my head at what the Sustainer meant.
"I mean it. Compared to 12345, I doubt that simple-number remembers anything about the paradise we fight for." He continued, "Every Knight yearns to visit Glamoth someday."
The sound of cables detaching brought us back to 2504, having completed her maintenance without any issue. Her Frame stepped out of the holding chamber before summarily transforming – teal scan lines giving way to an erupting fire that revealed her body.
"I'm back!"
"Was there any issue with your maintenance?" I raise.
"Nope. Everything's stable on my end."
So it's only me...
The Valiant added, "By the way, what were you discussing?"
"About the Empress' dream of Glamoth," said 2499. "We all share it, though it varies at times."
"Yeah, can you imagine? Lands of lush green alongside places where steel buildings and towers exist? People living in peace and without much worry? And it felt so real! Though it's kind of bad that they won't talk when I try and get their attention."
"I doubt I've ever had anyone noticing my presence in my dream too..." I add.
"You know it." 2504 took a deep breath. "When this war is over, I say we visit one of Glamoth's places!"
2499 was surprised. "2504, our fight comes first before anything else. We don't know if such population centers even exist today."
"Which is why I say, we'll get there after we've done our part for Her Majesty."
"Of course..."
2499 turned back to face the front bulkhead.
"Once the subsequent missions are over, I'll request a position away from active battlezones. I want to try serving at an Incubation Site – see what I can do there."
"You mean, help the new generation of Knights before they're ready?" I follow.
"Mhm." He began to walk. "Is there a problem?"
"Well, you're not that much of a fighter, even though you've kept our squad in the fight back then," 2504 coolly began. "What's got you interested in serving away from a battle?"
"Like I said, Sustainers are more suited to providing for the Iron Cavalry. And I'm not one for direct combat."
"So you prefer to use your fancy nanites to fix up faulty Pods, 2499?"
"There's more to that, remember?"
Our conversation carried with our leaving the armory.
It was there that I was reminded of how vital Her Majesty's dream was for us Knights. It was set in code for us, so we yearned to fulfill it.
But even so, I feel like I'm beginning to doubt.
Article 23 of Glamoth's Military Regulations: Any information deemed confidential is not to be disclosed to anyone, not even to one's fellow Knights, unless it is demanded by a superior or someone with a strong link to oneself.
I've seen what happened in that dream – the blinding light, and Empress Titania's entrance...
And although I don't know the full details, such as why there was an (un)familiar person in the Imperial Palace, what I do know is that this information cannot be revealed.
The sensory signals tighten my body, and I inhale slowly and silently to reduce the pressure.
Right now, what mattered are the battles ahead.
(／0＼)
Whenever the Iron Cavalry Knights were not in combat,
they stood by at either a Garrison or a Fort.
Both were secure bases from which they conduct their operations, replenish their combat strength,
and even converse of their plans and gains.
The only difference was that the Garrisons were static ground bases and Forts were orbital stations.
Both were recommissioned at the height of military prowess.
~ Recalling the Regiment's Bases ~