Northern Ursus Tundras

Lucky Six was woken up in the middle of a cold night by the sound of an explosion. He let out a yawn as he checked the date on his Pip-Boy. "Four hours of sleep... finally," he thought to himself as he looked at the concrete ceiling. It had been weeks since he had that long of a sleep. As he got up from the cold floor, another distant explosion echoed through the building. "They should be done with the decoy about right now."

Stretching his hands, Lucky Six began his routine. He laid down his weapon cleaning kit and methodically disassembled each gun, cleaning, filing, and wiping them before reassembling. Though he hadn't fired a round in days, he kept his weapons in peak condition as usual.

After that, he prepared for breakfast, a bar of oats found on a dead soldier. However, today was special because the day before, he had looted a dead officer and found an appetizer for the bar of oats, a smoked sausage. He wished he could cook the oats into a soup over a fire, but he had to make do. It's not like his bionic stomach cared whether it was cooked or raw.

He quickly devoured the bar of oats and the cold smoked sausage. Lucky Six then began rigging a crude booby trap in the residence. The Black Coats were relentless at tracking him down, even after all the effort he put into hiding his tracks. If not for his extensive biomechanical modifications, they would have worn him down within a week of his return to these ruins. He could likely continue this cat-and-mouse game forever, though he had no desire to.

Lucky Six left the building and began his day as he entered a different area. So far, he had gained little more than a knowledge of the frequent patrol routes. The Green Coats patrolled by sticking to tight routes, making them predictable. Their strict adherence to command made them easy to pick off once they lost their squad leader. However, the Black Coats approached differently. When they lose their leader, they fought on, disorganized but aggressive making up for their lack of cohesion with blind ferocity.

Both Black and Green Coats were predictable on their own. Each could be picked off rather easily, but when they coordinated with each other, things got tricky. Not to mention, the green coats could call in more troublesome threats, like groups of wizards or drones. He had probably seen it all by now, but he wasn't sure which of the two was worse.

Drone support usually meant one bulky drone or several smaller ones. The smaller drones were easy to handle with a crossbow, but the bulky ones were tough and were able to guide artillery strike. Lucky Six had done some rough calculations, the damn shells were being fired from 100, maybe 120 miles away. And they didn't come from the same place every time, making it nearly impossible to predict where the next one would land.

Lucky Six could identify three types of Green Coat wizards by their staffs. Dark wood staffs hinted at hallucinations and mental fatigue spells, while black metal staffs signaled fireball sorcery. Those with black wood and orange crystals manipulated the earth, sinking buildings or turning paths to mud.

The Black Coats employed wizards of their own, though they seemed to serve more practical roles. Utility types kept drones and equipment operational. They looked like unarmed personnel, but Lucky Six had learned the hard way that even without a staff, they could still cast spells. At this point, he wouldn't be surprised if even the cooks were wizards.

Lucky Six noted his observations when a whistle blew behind him. Hearing that, he sighed and mumbled, "No use in hiding anymore." He slotted a magazine into his automatic crossbow as more and more Ursan commands were barked behind him, growing closer. Despite the situation becoming tenser, Lucky Six's mind simply wandered off as he put on the Valence radii.

"Here we go again."


To the Esteemed Sebastian Ivanovich,

It is with some unease that I address you today, my dear friend. I trust the quiet halls of your university offer you respite unlike the camp of mine as dark clouds hang by. Here, things are far from well, and I find myself compelled to share you matters that hang on my mind.

Recently, we suffered a grave loss in our sector today. A dozen men , good soldiers were sent to apprehend a fugitive, one whose sown unrest to his majesty warriors in other sectors. The vanguard was slaughtered to two survivors before the main formation could provide them a backup and what little they spoke of made little sense. Their eyes spoke more than their words, filled with a terror I have not seen before. It was as though they had encountered something beyond the realm of man.

There are strange rumors about this fugitive. Primitive savage whom wore a cloak made from beasts. They say he moves as though no bolt could down him, and that his eyes, Tsar help us. glow an eerie blue as he killed the leading officer. I would dismiss such stories if they didn't seem to spread like wildfire, unsettling the majority of a foot soldiers. No one knows what to believe, and yet the fear is palpable.

We are now sending our man's remains back to base. Soon supply caravan will arrive and take them back to city plates so their bones may rest in their homes.

I fear what the next encounter may bring, but duty holds us fast. I pray your studies keep you far from the shadow that has fallen over me.

Yours faithfully,
Lt. Dmitry Nikolaevich


Lucky Six stalked the patrolling group of Green Coats. He adjusted the sights mounted on his heavy crossbow as he counted the distance. Using the scope, he scanned the group before settling on a soldier whose collar bore a badge of red with two diagonal yellow stripes running from right to left.

'If I'm right, that should be the rank badge' he thought idly as he tracked the soldier. He continued scanning until he spotted another soldier with two diagonal stripes running from left to right.

'And that's the second-in-command. As soon as he's out, their leader will-' He pulled the crossbow's trigger before finishing the thought.

The sharp thud of the crossbow's limbs snapping forward sent the javelin-sized bolt hurtling through the air, hitting the soldier in the neck. The man stumbled forward, crimson blood spilling from the wound, then collapsed into the snow, lifeless. The rest of the group scattered, scrambling for cover behind chunks of rubble, crumbling walls, anything that could shield them from the unseen threat. Some even dove behind a slope, pointing crossbows wildly in his direction.

Lucky Six continued to observe. The leader of the group peeked through a crack in a wall, tracing the bolt's direction to its likely origin. For a moment, their eyes locked from a distance. The leader pulled out a radio.

"Good, good," Lucky Six muttered.

He quietly moved to a different vantage point. Crouching down, he pulled out a welded pipe musket from a hidden spot. He poured a pouch of originium crystal dust into it, then added a liquid form of originium. Grabbing a carved wooden rod, he stirred the glowing mixture before dropping a metal ball into the barrel. After ramming it further with the rod, he took out a glowing originium shard, smashed it on the ground, and picked up the smallest fragment.

Overhead, the unmistakable hum of a bulky Ursus drone filled the air. Soon enough, the drone flew overhead. And artillery shell whistled down into the building where he'd shot the crossbow, blowing it apart. Lucky Six aligned the musket with one of its motors, breathing out as he placed the shard in the slot. The makeshift originium pipe bomb detonated as the end of the pipe barrel peeled open like a banana before breaking apart in his hands, saturating the air with originium particles. The metal ball shredded one of the drone's rotors.

He tossed the broken musket aside and quickly observed the drone. 'Interesting' he thought, watching as it wobbled but remained airborne. By all accounts, such a drone should have spiraled into the ground.

Lucky Six focused on the red particles lingering around the drone. After using originium bombs for so long, he had gotten used to identifying different state the originium dust can be at. Slowly, the particles drifted downward, and as they did, the drone followed, its descent steady, almost graceful. Eventually, it began to glide, its course set toward the scattered Green Coats below.

Finishing his observations, Lucky Six quickly departed the area as more Green Coats reinforcements arrived at the scene.


To His Excellency, Lt. Col. Andrei Vasilievich
Lieutenant Colonel at the Garrison of Druzhnevka post

14th Day of November, 1090
at Imperial Land Warship "Thunderous Vow"

Lieutenant Colonel,

I write to you under the authority of the 3rd army of his Imperial Majesty. The matter before me is one of grave concern, and it demands immediate attention and correction on your part.

It has come to my notice that your garrison, entrusted with holding a critical position near our vital supply routes, has suffered a losses numbering over a hundred men at the hands of but one fugitive. This report, though astonishing, speaks not to the cunning of your adversary but rather to the negligence and lack of command on your part.

I must remind you, Captain, that such a failure in command is unacceptable. Warcasters are not easily replaced, and the resources and time required to train their successors are far beyond your understanding, it seems. The fact that these assets, alongside other tools of war, have been squandered under your watch speaks to an alarming deficiency in leadership.

The complications you describe in your correspondence reflect poorly on your ability to control the situation in your sector. Your post is neither an frontline outpost nor a backwater outpost where difficulties such as this should arise. Your objectives are clear. Secure the garrison, maintain control of the surrounding territory.

Allow me to be clear, your rank and the authority it bestows upon you obligate you to prevent such calamities. The resources of the Empire are not meant to be squandered, and I expect no further disruptions to your duty. I trust this will serve as a final admonition. Should a failure occur under your command, I will not hesitate to seek your replacement.

See to it that this fugitive of yours is apprehended without further delay. Reinstate order in your ranks, ensure the garrison is fortified, and execute your responsibilities with the seriousness they demand. We cannot afford further disruptions to the supply lines, nor can the Imperium tolerate incompetence.

In the name of the Tsar and under his authority, I expect this matter to be resolved swiftly and without further error.

Major General Ivanov V. Turov
Commander of the Imperial Land Warship "Thunderous Vow"

In Service to Ursus Empire and His Imperial Majesty.


Lucky Six followed the trucks carrying the deceased to the main army camp. There, he hid as the patrols were tightened more harshly than the last time he pulled off his trick. Although he had done it expecting never to return, under the impression of a one-way ticket, that belief proved to be in vain. Alas, as circumstances were, he had to revisit to find another way out.

So far, he had been able to slip through the patrols and sneak into one of the trucks. As he sat, he cautiously observed the outside as the truck's engine started.

After three and a half hours of driving, the trucks stopped aburtly. Lucky Six peeked out of the cargo to see that they had arrived at some sort of checkpoint, complete with barbed fences and all. He quickly dismounted and slunk into the shadows, avoiding the personnel's sight.

Finally, he got a glimpse of the trucks' destination. And what he saw made him freeze.

"What in the hell?"

On the land stood a behemoth of a structure, resembling the remains of a supercarrier he had once seen at a deserted military dock. If it weren't for its massive tracks, he would have called it exactly that. Lucky Six quietly hid away as soldiers dressed in dark brown approached the supply trucks and began screening the cargo.

Amidst the activity, Lucky Six quickly slipped past the perimeter and started exploring the surrounding camps. There were barracks, warehouses, some tents, and a field hospital. However, the camps weren't up to the standard of the ones he had seen at the ruins. They looked hastily cobbled together from whatever fabric and planks of wood were lying around.

Lucky Six wasn't sure why these camps even existed, given that the supercarrier-like structure was massive. It could house the entire Eastern NCR army or three legions.

He entered the checkpoint's shelter. The smell of cigarettes and boiling water hung in the air. Glancing around, he saw an Ursan man asleep on the couch. Quietly, Lucky Six walked up to the lockers and opened one. Inside, he found a brown coat similar to the ones the soldiers outside were wearing. He checked the badge on the collar and it was green with yellow stripes running diagonally from right to left. 'That'll do' he thought. He took the coat, a winter hat, and quietly left the building.

As the sun set behind him, he left his patchwork coat, armored cloak, and backpack hidden in a corner. He put on the brown coat over his refurbished ranger armor and wore the winter hat. His only weapons now were a saber, a pistol, and some grenades commonly used by the Ursus.

He spent some time tracking the movements in and out of the landship. Once he had a good idea of where people entered and exited, he waited for nightfall. The landship had floodlights, but they only illuminated the entrance not the rest of the perimeter.

He took route into the landship. He was more curious than he should be, after all it's not everyday you get to see something like that.

'Curiosity killed the cat' they say.

Ahead, a harsh beam of light cut through the cold air, sweeping slowly toward him. The source of the light was obscured, but the shifting glow told enough. His hand rested on hilt of his saber, he straightened his posture, trying his best to mimic the march of the squad leaders he seen so often. The figures materialized out of the gloom—two of them, wearing the familiar dark overcoats of Infected Patrol unit, Black Coats. The moment the light illuminated Lucky Six's figure, they halted abruptly as suspicion brew.

"(Ursus) Who goes there?" one of them barked. He didn't respond instead continuing his pace forward. The man holding the light, clearly irritated, stepped forward, his patience wearing thin.

Lucky Six kept his cool as he continued to march with his hand on the saber's hilt. The black coat holding the light was irritated as he got no reply back. He snarled impatiently as he spoke again

"(Ursus) Who the fu-" he began, but his words died on his lips as the light caught the emblem on Lucky Six's coat. Recognition flickered across the men's face, and both men snapped into a salute, their bodies rigid.

Lucky Six held their gaze, he glared to the pair, of which added unease of the men standing infront of him as the scars etched into his face, illuminated by the glow, only added to the effect.

He subtly scanned the men's rank badge on their collars, one silver stripe on the man with the lantern, none on the other. No wonder they were so tense. He outranked them, at least in appearance

He mentally sighed. The language barrier was going to be a problem, but right now, he didn't want to break character. His mind raced as he recalled the what he could assume to be curses and clipped phrases he'd often heard from both Green and Black Coats. Exaggerating his posture, he launched into a furious tirade. His voice was sharp, commanding and loud enough to be a high ranking officer, maybe overreaching for his disguise.

Whatever he was saying, it was close enough. The soldiers stiffened at the harsh tone, exchanging brief, nervous glances before bowing and scrambling back down the path, running back into the dark.

Somehow that worked. He continued to walk toward the landship. As he got close enough he get to see just see how big it was. He let's out a whistle as he eyed the behemoth. Its hull rose like a jagged cliff, reinforced with layers of thick armor. Two falcon emblems adorned the front . Below, endless tracks churned beneath it, each link of the massive chains taller than a man, prepared to grind through snow, rock, and anything in its path.

Lucky Six simply can't help to wonder the engineering, logistics it takes to make and continue maintain such beast of a machine. And what was the point to have such machine in first place. 'Power projection perhaps' he thought. It was most likely answer for him, that was what super carriers of USA was for.

As he approached the entrance to the loading area, he spotted guards posted at every access point. Their brown coats were reinforced with heavy vest, weapons held tight as they stood still. Lucky Six surveyed the scene, from one guarded entrance to another. All tightly secured. No gaps in their defenses.

His gaze shifted to the sloped armor along the side. It wasn't as smooth as it appeared from a distance. Dents, seams, and battle scars ran along its surface. He assessed the slope, the angle of the armor. It wasn't perfect, but it was climbable.

Lucky Six took one last look around. No one was watching him closely enough. He could scale that. And he would.

Just as Lucky Six began his ascent, a harsh spotlight snapped onto him. The sudden screech of alarms pierced the dead night, followed by the angry shouts of guards. Lucky Six disappointedly sighed as he paused mid-climb. "So much for subtlety" he muttered to himself, dropping back to the ground. "I really wanted to see the insides."

Before he could take another step, a volley of fireballs and ballista bolts tore through the air toward him. A surge of Implant GRX flares up, he twisted and ducked, narrowly dodging and evading the ballista bolts and fireballs as he ran.

He sprinted toward the tree line, the forest offering cover from the prosecutor as they hurriedly assembled a manhunt team.


To Major Pyotr Ivanovich

Major,
I'll get straight to the point. Your last set of orders has left me thoroughly puzzled, and quite frankly, more than a little frustrated. You've called me and other captains to pull our men from our posts. Leaving barely anyone behind, just to gather a large force. For what, exactly? This decision of yours is rash, and I can't help but question if you truly understand the situation here.

The insurgents who calls themselves "Reunion" are growing bolder by the day. They've already cost us dearly. Captain Orlov lost half his men just last week, and Captain Ivanov's company is barely holding on, while half of the other captains assigned to our sector are dead, lost in the snows of the wasteland, never to be found. Yet, here you are, asking us to leave our posts with little to no protection. What do you think will happen if these lunatics catch wind of our absence? They'll sweep through these villages like wildfire, and we'll have nothing left, with the 3rd Army breathing down our necks.

Speaking of villages, have you even considered the situation with the locals? I'm already walking a fine line with the taxes we've imposed. The peasant folk are at their breaking point. If I squeeze them any further, they won't just resent us, they'll actively start helping the very terrorists we're trying to root out. And then, Major, we'll have a full-scale insurrection on our hands, not just some scattered raids. Is that really what you want? Because that's where this is headed if you keep pushing us like this.

I'm telling you, plain and simple, your decisions are making this job impossible. You want results? Then stop playing politics and start thinking about what's actually happening in the field. We can't fight an enemy we don't understand, and we sure as hell can't fight them with empty bellies and angry villages ready to turn against us.

If you insist on gathering us for whatever plan you've cooked up, at least give me something that makes sense. Otherwise, I'll keep my men where they can actually be useful, holding the line where it's needed, not marching around for some vague idea of strategy.

Respectfully,
Captain Florentiy Solovev


Lucky Six had to go back near the landship and retrieve his gear in secret. An opportunity arose as he hitched a ride with the Black Coats' supply caravan, only to return to these ruins once again.

As the Black Coats unloaded their supplies and began setting up camp, Lucky Six slipped into the ruins, moving quietly through the shadows as he counted the reinforcing Black Coats. Five hundred and fifty, far too many for his liking. Before this reinforcement, the Green Coats only had around a hundred Black Coats under them, and that was enough to bother him daily.

As he left the camp, he chose to retrieve a few extra supplies from the ruins. His next destination loomed ahead. The eruption zone. Although his Geiger counter tended to go haywire there, the high density of active Originium crystals combined with Originium dust made both Black and Green Coats avoid the zone like the plague. However, he was going to try his luck and set up shelter there.

'Maybe the Black Coats have map?'


And done. Got inspired because friend said it was good. Can't believe i did this chapter this quick. And hopefully next chapter should finish the Lucky Six vs Ursus garrison and patrols chapter and have him actually join up with reunion.

And for clarification.

Brown Coats = Urus Army Soldiers.

Green Coats = Ursus Territorial Defense Force.

Black Coats = Ursus Infected Patrol.

Bulky Drone = Imperial Artillery Targeteer

Wizards = Casters

It's just how Lucky Six calls them because... he can't speak Ursan or Russian. He would recognize words like "Leningrad" or "Moscow" because he heard it from songs once. And that's all he knows about USSR or Russia in general.

Warcasters = Ursus armored caster but more specialized in their role. Caster in Arknight setting is very broad term, it can either be maintenance worker that adjusts the crystal components to all the way to fellas casting fireball, so i just wanted make sure the offensive casters get differentiated.

Anyway up to this point Lucky Six was just picking off the Ground Infantry , the grunts of the Green and Black Coats. More menacing threats like Imperial Strikers, Imperial raiders are more or less not present at the garrison or not part of the patrolling forces and being relegated to a main force that never arrives in time. Well, till now that is.

Well so far Lucky Six really didn't got into much trouble, so far. In grand scheme of things he is just annoying a garrison Lieutenant Colonel. Although that Lieutenant Colonel just called in a reinforcement.

(Had to change all the ranks, i tried keeping the authentic Romanov era ranks but then in Tachanka's operator log, they just said Colonel instead of the Polkovnik.)

The garrison. Why is there garrison in middle of nowhere? Well 3rd army battle cruiser is docked nearby and 3rd army did not want to re-direct their supply lines. Might as well pull some favor and station a small part of the garrison of nomadic city there. Technically they were supposed to guard that area. The left over slums that is build around the nomadic city was the duty of aforementioned garrison to safeguard not 3rd army. As they are currently dealing with guerillas far north.

Well i think it is 3rd army atleast. Unless there are more than 6 armies.

And. Ah right. The fact that there is a nomadic city's slums, should indicate that this place takes "somewhere south". Not close enough to Guerillas or Reunion. Although that letter was from a sector dealing with Reunion activity.

The letters. Right so. thing is Lucky Six is, A seasoned ranger type. Hell, he was already a onpar with a veteran ranger when he was leaving New Vegas. So unless he is dealing with a named character. Aka mini boss by Arknight standard. Or getting bodied by a significant character, aka boss or ace of the country in Arknight standard, He isn't gonna have much trouble, it's a process for him to kill a squad sized formations and slip past the main force.
With most event for him happening when he is fighting caster circles. Even tho arts is prevelant in Arknight, most armies is still made out from common grunts. Maybe except Leithaniens... and Laterano...

So yeah I added letters to highlight Lucky Six's action without having to, have him interact with people because all the people he is dealing right now is a people who want him dead. Letters will go away when he joins the reunion (i hope). Anyways.

Here is the Lucky Six in Arknight AU continuation

"Lucky Six stumbled back, barely regaining his balance after a sword strike that nearly knocked him off his feet. He tightened his grip on his machete, keeping it close as he circled the armored Kuranta before him. This was the result of his loose tongue.

The Kuranta's gaze was sharp behind the helmet, watching his every move. Though the blade was held firmly, the grip and position limited their ability to slash from a downward angle.

With a sudden feint, Lucky Six raised his machete as if to strike from above, but in a swift motion, he pivoted to a downward slash. The Kuranta was momentarily caught off guard but recovered quickly, thrusting forward with surprising speed. Lucky Six barely managed to back off.

The Kuranta pressed on with two quick, horizontal slashes. He parried the first with difficulty, the impact resonating through his arms, but the second strike came so close it nearly sliced through his machete. The Kuranta advanced again, this time with more precision. Her sword arced in a wide sweep, forcing Lucky Six to sidestep, leaving him off balance as the Kuranta pressed the attack with a sharp thrust toward his chest.

Lucky Six continued his parry stance even while stumbling backward. Some part of him enjoyed this challenge, while another part was disappointed at the sorry display of his swordplay skills. He didn't think much of it; he wasn't much of a swordsman, aside from those days spent reading chivalry books-. The quick thought was dashed as the Kuranta was relentless, moving in with a diagonal slash from her left. Lucky Six managed to block, but the power behind the blow sent a shockwave through his arms. The Kuranta pushed forward, her blade cutting through the air with deadly precision.

The Kuranta's sword came down with such force that when Lucky Six raised his machete to block, the metal screeched as her blade bit into his weapon. Sparks flew from the impact as the Kuranta's sword nearly sliced through the machete, leaving a jagged tear across its surface.

The spectacle made Lucky Six smile under his helmet. It was exactly like how knights fought. His heart was pounding as adrenaline surged. Gritting his teeth, Lucky Six made a desperate move. He dodged the Kuranta's follow-up strike and launched himself forward, swinging his machete low. His blade clashed with hers again, but this time he used the momentum to spin, sweeping his leg under the Kuranta's feet. The armored warrior faltered as their balance was disrupted, and with a final push, Lucky Six knocked her to the ground. Her helmet rolled away as she hit the dirt, revealing a cascade of blonde hair.

Without hesitation, Lucky Six pressed the battered edge of his machete against the Kuranta's neck, his breathing ragged, but victorious.

The blonde Kuranta smiled up at him, calm despite the outcome. "(Victorian) I resign," her voice steady, even in defeat.

Lucky Six let out a relieved exhale as the tension faded. He offered a hand to the Kuranta, quickly remembering what an honorable Atomic Knight would say after a fair duel.

"(Victorian-English) To an honorable opponent, allow me the honor of aiding you to your feet," he said a bit awkwardly as he forced the words out.

The Kuranta tilted her head, puzzled for a moment, then broke into a soft laugh. "(Victorian) You are such a strange man," she replied in Victorian, accepting his hand and pulling herself up.

'Thank God she can't see my face,' he thought, silently celebrating with a grin. 'I finally got to say the line.'

From the distance, a Harthman dressed in a fine formal suit and wearing a monocle quickly approached Lucky Six's side, his expression flustered and clearly exasperated as he strode in.

"(Leithanien) Dummkopf! What are you doing? I take my eyes off you for one minute and you're already picking a fight with a campaign knight! For the love of beauty and music, can't you be civil for a moment?" he scolded. Turning to the Kuranta, he bowed deeply. Lucky Six didn't respond to the harsh criticism; he knew the Harthman was looking out for him.

"(Kazimierz) Sorry, my good knight, My friend here is a bit of a dunce. Please forgive any transgression he may have caused; he didn't mean it!"

The Kuranta giggled at the sight. "(Victorian) No harm done, I merely wished to test his words."

The Harthman let out a relieved sigh. "(Victorian) I see, thank you for your-"

Lucky Six interrupted him by slinging his arm around the Harthman's shoulder, nearly knocking him off balance.

"(Victorian-English) Meet Harthman, Excellent driver, great composer, held a concert for five years and received many reviews. Terrible drinker, though."

The Harthman beamed with pride until Lucky Six mentioned his drinking problem. Before he could retort, Lucky Six cut in. "(Victorian-English) Oh right, I think I didn't tell you my name. Well, many just call me Lucky Six, and it just sorta stuck."

"(Victorian) How peculiar, to see a Sankta named such, let alone one able to hold a blade so well. Well met, Lucky Six! Róża, pleasure to make your acquaintance," she said with a bright smile.

"(Victorian-English) Exception proves the rule," Lucky Six replied calmly. Harthman quipped in

"(Victorian) Agreed! Every symphony has its solo, as they say back home."

"(Victorian) And where are you two going?" Róża asked, glancing between them.

"(Victorian) My friend here wishes to see the grand tournament, you see," the Harthman explained.

"(Victorian) What a coincidence, I'm going there too. Mind if I join?" she asked.

Hearing that, the Harthman looked at Lucky Six for approval. Lucky Six started, "(Victorian-English) Feel free to join."

After a second, he added, "(Victorian-English) By all means, noble knight, your presence would honor us."

The Harthman immediately facepalmed, while Róża burst into laughter."

And yeah, that's more side of him that will be rarely shown in the main. One story he is in a harsh place, no better than wasteland of his. And here he actually gets to meet people and make companions as he travel. Also if he had decent Charisma the chivalry lines wouldn't be seen so awkard. He refused to use GRX implant because. It's not life or death situation. Also if he was max or near max Strength he could've exchanged some blows. Well Endurance, and Agility, Perspective carried him in that fight.

Forward from this is just my understanding on Arknight lore and me mumbling about it.

Terran vs Human biology. So far it is said that terrans are physically stronger than human. My best estimation is that. A normal physical strength of terran is equal to trained physical strength of human and so on. So a peak human physique will be same as a standard common soldier terran employ.
And each race better at one aspect than the other. Kuranta having greater stamina, Ursans being physically stronger etc.

And appearntly common terrans have hard time with physics?. Best examples are heaps of praise the operator file mentions about how best the R6S agents are at their jobs. Now R6S agents are cream of the crop in their studies (or maybe top 10 percent, i unno i am not a spec forces member), so i am not sure that is good example.
Also arts most likely shapes most of their understanding of world. The physics based theories might not be as prevalent, prefering to explain things with arts than that.

Durability. I dont think other than the Abyss hunters. Terran durability is that different from humans (maybe the lizard folk are more durable than the others). I do think that terrans subconsciously emits art that protects from physical/explosive harm. That is my reasoning why certain characters don't get one hit ko'd by a bolt while most back ground characters gets one shotted by that. And also that scales by how potent they are with arts casting.
Hell that is my take on why Degenbrecher/Black knight could do what she could do. Her staff casting is non existent but her passive casting is exceptional allowing her to essentially take on a victorian spy whose are well trained in arts.

Now, regarding art affinities: I believe humans can't comprehend the concept of art casting, at least not in the same way that Terrans do. The best-case scenario for casting art as Terrans do would be akin to a person with Aphantasia trying to draw from imagination. Instead of relying on imagination, they would have to depend on a case-by-case logic. This is not impossible, but it is difficult to achieve. The main problem is that those who do not have Aphantasia cannot teach someone with Aphantasia to draw efficiently from imagination. In the worst-case scenario, casting arts would be like a severely color-blind person trying to describe the color red.

Infection on humans. I have no idea. The doctor's race might be future evolved form of human and becuase of that oripathy can infect humans. Or oripathy happens because terrans are born from it, and as such they must return to it. Depending on what is revealed in future, I can just keep Lucky Six getting infected or not at back of my mind. He is after all experimenting around with oripathy the ways the terrans would call him crazy.

Back to the Ursus army stuff

Ah right heirachy of things. So in the army pecking order. An actual imperial army is at top. And then Territorial Defense Force, and at last Infected patrol. Honestly I feel like military ranks are redundant in arknight. I uh had a entire segment here talking about possibility power dynamic between similar sounding titles.

(can't wait for event to take place in Ursus Empire in CN and ruin all my assumptions. Or it was never Infected patrol captain in CN, it was just called infected patrol unit. And it was translation error this whole time)

Although currently the garrison is using them as cannon fodder as they are being thrown into a traps and other such jolly things as they try to find Lucky Six. The garrison doesn't even count them in their casualty report.

And the other hand the Infected Patrol is mostly empoyed , labor camps. Technically Ursus Empire does not employ infected labor anymore under Tsar's Decree. But that Decree didn't say thing about Third Party. And 3rd army can just transfer their labor camps to favorable infected patrol captains and pocket the percentage in dark.