Chapter 35

Guest- Yeah, I have to agree with what you said. Maybe not to that extent, but I see your points. Honestly, I think I'll have to start playing WOW to really help write this story. Although I'm not sure I want to devout time to playing such an MMO. Is WOW worth playing today?


Jack


"That should be it." Said Jack as he placed the last of the explosives that he had been asked to set on the tunnels that he had been tasked to seal off. "I got most of my explosives set. How are things for you, Courier? Chief?"

"Chief's almost done with his set as well. Got mine done just now. I'm heading back." Said Courier before looking at the Nightborne Mage that had accompanied him to the Skaven tunnels. "Let's head back to the surface now. Don't want to get ambushed by rats right now." The Elf couldn't agree more and thus teleported the two back to the surface, where they would detonate the explosives once everyone was safely back up to the surface. Hopefully the tunnels they seal today, along with the casualties they inflicted on the Skaven not too long ago, will keep the ratmen from doing anything in the near future. At least that was the hope. Ikit claimed that his people would bounce back from whatever they did to delay their glorious plans against the people of Azeroth.

Regardless of what Ikit thought, Sigma team went along with their plans of delaying the Skaven while the Alliance and Horde figure out a way to deal with Skaven as well as the Iron Horde. At least that was the initial plan. A lot of Sigma team knew that sometimes plans go awry. They even experienced it plenty of times. So, they were prepared to deal with whatever alteration that comes from dealing with the Iron Horde or Skaven. Hopefully.

Teleported to the surface, Courier wobbled a bit once the teleportation spell ended before catching himself.

"Urgh, I don't think I can ever get used to that teleporting sensation." Said Courier as he rubbed his neck to ease some tension he built up from the teleporting. He then looked at the Nightborne that had teleported him to the surface. "How the heck do you people deal with that sensation. It felt like my entire body was taken apart bit by bit and then the bits got electrified and I somehow feel it. How the fuck do you guys deal with that?"

"Training." Said the Nightborne simply as he looked at the Courier with a nonchalant expression on his face.

"Then I need to sign up for such training." Said Courier as he looked at the Nightborne man he was with, having fully recovered from the teleportation effect on his body. "If we're working with each other again, which I suspect we will, I'm going to need to learn how to get used to all this teleporting shit. Especially if we're doing the teleporting into a fight. I don't want to die just because I can't deal with the aftermath of being teleported around." The Nightborne mage had to agree on that. That would be a very…indecent way to die.

"The First Arcanist may be able to arrange such an affair for you and your people. Until then, we should focus on the task at hand." Said the elf as they walked to the direction where Ikit, High Elf Archer were, which was one of the massive sinkholes created by the Skaven to swallow up both Horde and Alliance forces. The two were guarding the Alliance sinkhole with some surviving forces of the Alliance with the Horde guarding their own with aid from the Nightborne and some robotic forces from Sigma Team. This was done in case the Skaven decided to come back to attack them again after the losses they suffered. It was unlikely, but given the sheer numbers they saw the Skaven had and Ikit constantly telling them that his people's leaders didn't give a damn about the lives of their underlings, they weren't taking chances. Not with the Iron Horde still gathering their forces some distance away.

Speaking of the Iron Horde, both the Alliance and Horde leaders were discussing with each other, more so out of desperation than anything else, on how to deal with the Iron Horde while Sigma Team dealt with delaying the Skaven and making sure they won't be a problem later on. At least until the Iron Horde was dealt with.

High Elf Archer complained that the Horde and Alliance should help them out more in dealing with the Skaven, but Chief and Courier explained to her that if they also needed to focus on the Iron Horde as well. She didn't see them in action, but Chief saw what they had beforehand when defending Suramar from the Iron Horde, and he could tell that they were a threat to the people of Azeroth, no matter how inferior in tech they were compared to Sigma Team, thus they needed to be dealt with for the good of the people of Azeroth. Hearing the words of her teammates and friends, High Elf Archer stood down, though she still complained about the lack of help from the Horde and Alliance.

Speaking of the Elf, Courier soon found himself looking at the green-haired elf speaking to Ikit Claw, arguing over something.

"Do you have to be a jerk to everyone?" Demanded High Elf Archer as she glared at Ikit Claw, who glared right back. "For fuck sakes, we're trying to make alliances and friendships with the Horde and Alliance. So we don't have to deal with them while we're trying to find a way home, maybe even get their help as well, and you're making that harder by pissing them all up at every chance you get. Can you dial back the rat superiority thing by just a little bit? That would actually be great." Ikit just sneered at High Elf Archer's words.

"Won't lie-deceive stupid fools in Horde and Alliance." Said Ikit Claw as he pointed his metal claw hand at High Elf Archer in annoyance and anger. "They all weak-frail. Not strong-mighty compared to superior Skaven." High Elf Archer scowled at his words and was about to argue with the Skaven again when the Master Chief suddenly arrived with his Nightborne compatriot, teleporting amongst them, which of course stunned them.

"God damn, that can be so annoying when people do that!" Yelled Courier as he recovered from Master Chief and a Nightborne mage just suddenly appearing next to him and the others. "Not to mention dangerous. What happens if you teleport inside something or someone? Even partially?"

"While such a thing is unlikely to happen to you while amongst the Shal'dorei, if such an event does occur when conducting a teleportation spell, I assure you the result is not something that is pleasant for all parties involved. Often times fatal and is…quite a disturbing fate depending on where one is teleported inside of another being or of an object. Hence why teleportation of any kind if considered only meant for those that possess great knowledge in the arcane arts. Not to mention precision as well." As soon as he said this, Jack and his own Nightborne, a female one, appeared before everyone.

"I don't know if we took out the main force in this region or if the rats are planning something that we don't know of, but I managed to plant my explosives in my target zones without any issues at all." Reported Jack as he walked towards the group. "I mean, they hit both the Horde and the Alliance hard before we got here and had a pretty big base down there, yet they're willing to abandon it. I know the Nightborne killed a good chunk of them with that tidal wave of magic, but this just feels too easy for me."

"Let's focus on crippling the Skaven for now." Said Master Chief. "We can discuss about their strange behavior later." Jack hummed at that but didn't argue as Chief brought out a detonator from his person. He then asked Cortana if all the explosives are linked and ready for detonations. When she replied yes, he pressed the button, causing all the explosives that they placed around the Skaven tunnels to detonate. This resulted in the destruction of those tunnels, preventing them from being used by the Skaven again until they could dig out new ones. Something that'll hopefully they can prevent from happening.

As the ground rumbled as a result of the explosions occurring underground, Team Sigma was approached by a Night Elf.

"If you will excuse me, but your presence is required by the leaders of the Alliance as well as that of the Horde as well." Said the Night Elf, her tone turning a bit contemptuous upon mentioning the Horde. She also gave a glance towards the Nightborne with Team Sigma, but otherwise remained focus on the beings from other worlds. When they all heard the Night Elf's proclamation, Team Sigma looked at their leader who just looked at the Night Elf.

"Then take us to them." Said Master Chief as he looked at the Night Elf. Nodding her head at this, the Night Elf soon began escorting Team Sigma to where the Alliance leaders were along with the Hordes' as well.

It took quite a bit, but eventually the group found the tent that the Horde and Alliance were meeting to discuss the Iron Horde and now the Skaven, how they were a threat and how to best eliminate them.

Upon entering the tent, Team Sigma immediately saw how tense things were between the leaders of the Horde and the Alliance. Words and insults were launched at each other, hands upon one's weapons or hands raised with magical power. The few rational voices of both sides tried to calm everyone down, but they were drowned out by the hostility voiced by the other members of each superpower in Azeroth. Leading the whole thing was Varian Wrynn on the Alliance side and Varok Saurfang for the Horde side with support from both Jaina Proudmoore and Sylvanas Windrunner. The other leaders were either in support with those four or trying to deescalate the situation.

Looking incredulously at what they saw before him, Team Sigma just starred as the leaders of the Horde and Alliance bickered like children.

"What the fuck!?" Yelled High Elf Archer as she saw what was happening before her very eyes. "We're literally fighting an entirely different enemy that's coming from another dimension or whatever and they're all arguing like…like a couple of elf children that fight over whose plant is better than the other." That comment caused her team to look at her, a bit amused and surprised to hear what she just said. The looks she got from her team, barring Master Chief, caused High Elf Archer to blush in embarrassment before looking away.

While High Elf Archer is blushing in embarrassment, Master Chief looked at the assembled Horde and Alliance leaders before walking over to them, his posture not revealing what he felt about the Horde and Alliance leaders fighting amongst each other over what was likely unimportant manners when compared to the situation they have at the moment.

The leaders of both the Horde and Alliance were too busy in the argument amongst themselves that they didn't notice the Spartan approaching them until the Tauren leader, Baine Master Chief believed, noticed him along with one of the leaders of the Night Elves, Shandris Feathermoon.

Seeing him approaching them, the two began trying catch the attention of their fellow leaders. Eventually, they managed to catch the attention of everyone by mentioning that their…allies have arrived.

Hearing that their allies have arrived, Varian Wrynn stopped arguing with the Horde leaders and looked at the super soldier that was approaching him with suspicion but also relief as well.

"Thank you for arriving so quickly." Said Varian as all the Horde and Alliance looked at Team Sigma. "I'll make this brief, while we all appreciate all that you have done for us against those…Skaven, I'm afraid we need your assistance against the Iron Horde as well." Upon hearing that, High Elf Archer groaned at what was said.

"You got to be kidding me." Mumbled High Elf Archer as she heard what Varian Wrynn just said. "We did so much already. Can't we get a break?" While she was complaining about this, Courier and Jack just shook their heads.
"You get used to working more than you should be reasonably doing." Said Courier as he recalled all the missions he did for various factions within the Mojave Desert. "My advice, make use of what free time you have to destress and relax. It never gets easier." High Elf Archer groaned at that, making a note to take a long and relaxing bath when they get back to the base. While High Elf Archer was lamenting on doing another job literally after their last one, Master Chief was speaking with the Alliance and Horde leaders.

"The casualties you suffered from the Skaven attack is preventing you from mounting an effective attack on the Iron Horde?" Asked Master Chief as he addressed the leaders of the Horde and the Alliance.

"That is indeed correct." Said Baine as he addressed the Master Chief as he looked upon the human in strange armor. Although a part of him was fascinated with his armor, finding it strangely comforting despite its alien origins, another part was a bit unnerved with it as well. After all, it was not only unsettling in its appearance but he also heard reports of this man in action against Garrosh's fortress and, needless to say, it left Baine weary of facing this man in battle, knowing the destruction that he alone can deal with his weapons and technology. Something that may happen considering he and his people were not affiliated with the Horde. Although he respected their decision to not become a permanent member of either the Horde or Alliance, he couldn't help but feel slightly scared at not having some assurance that this Team Sigma will not be used against them by the Alliance, given their power shown. However, right now, that power was needed against the Iron Horde.

"The losses sustained by our forces caused by those sinkholes along with the attacks on our camps by those Skaven have left us unable to effectively attack the Iron Horde and take their gateway." Explained Baine as Team Sigma realized what they wanted them to do.

"So you want us to cripple the Iron Horde for you?" Asked Jack as he heard Baine's explanation of their situation. "Or even capture this gateway for you."
"If you can." Said Sylvanas with a smirk on her face. "It'll certainly prove your mettle and ability to actually be a worthy man for breeding purposes." Quite a few people looked at Sylvanas when she said that, but otherwise ignored what she said.

"Not something that extreme. Yet." Said Lor'themar as he clarified what they wanted. "We have reinforcements on their way now to help take the gateway, but it will take awhile for them to reach us. Time that the Iron Horde can use to either strengthen their position around the gateway or launch further attacks on our people. While I have no doubt you have the power to take out the defenders of the gateway yourselves, we merely want you to monitor the Iron Horde's activities and, if they're planning to launch attacks on our people, we ask that you prevent that from happening. The first wave of reinforcements will be here at first light tomorrow. We'll launch the attack when they arrive. Provided you give us information on the Iron Horde's defenses around the gateway."

"And when that happens, we'll initiate sabotage missions ahead of the main assault to disorientate the defenders and minimize casualties." Said Master Chief when he heard this. A few of the Horde and Alliance leaders raised eyebrow at the sentence he just uttered, but otherwise nodded their heads. "Understood. Once we rearm and my team is rested up a bit, we'll head out for the gateway. Is there any intel that you can provide for the area that we can use to remain undetected to the Iron Horde?"
"There is, my scouts will tell you soon." Said Shandris Feathermoon. "There is one more thing, however, we like to discuss." Shandris then looked at Varian, who just nodded his head, giving her permission to continue. "Given all you have done for us, we decided to send you additional support to help assist in your endeavor. So as to show our appreciation for your efforts." High Elf Archer let out a whoop at that, happy that they get some actually help from the Horde and Alliance while Jack and Courier were more professional in their reaction but still showed appreciation for the support. Ikit just growled at the thought of interacting with more non-Skaven while Master Chief stood emotionless at the declaration.
"And the Horde will do so as well." Said Vol'jin as he finally spoke, looking at Master Chief with both respect and weariness. "The Horde always repays its debts to those that help it against its enemies, whether they be from within or from not." A few Alliance leaders wanted to say something about that, but otherwise remained quiet. Master Chief and Team Sigma didn't say anything, but it was clear to everyone that the assistance was appreciated.

"Thank you." Said Master Chief. "We'll make sure to put them to good use."

"Provided they capable of doing the mission you guys gave us." Said Jack, hoping they get appropriate help and not something that will be a detriment.

"They will be." Said Shandris as she heard Jack's words. "I will personally make sure of it."

"Then let us discuss them as well as anything else we need to know regarding the mission." Said Master Chief as he began discussing things with the Horde and Alliance leaders regarding the mission that they have just given him and his team.