Chapter 47 "Priority: Saving PSC 1"
-World building fact—
The 9 magic guilds of Rondel are some of the most influential organizations on Falmart. The smallest of them all the Guild of War has up to over ten thousand followers across the continent. The largest is the Guild of Nature with hundreds of thousands of followers consisting of mostly farmers, hunters and foragers. Each has a different way of managing themselves, but the guild leader is always the most powerful figure that can decide the fate of their guild.
Except for the Guild of War, all guilds allow those without magic to join as long as they can contribute to the guild. Mages that are potent in a certain field of magic or interest can choose to join one of these guilds to further enhance their magic. Those without magic but with interests aligned with these guilds are joined to gain the benefit of magic such as better crop yield from the guild of magic, sailors get favorable wind from the guild of air. The guild of fire increases the efficiency of metal forges and so on.
These followers without magic, in turn, provide the guild with financial support and, when needed, take up arms to boost the guild number in a fight. While many guilds maintain a less than easy relationship with each other, guild wars rarely happen. Usually, it starts with small clashes between followers and then eventually builds up to a single final big battle between the 2 sides. The Empire and Kingdoms of Falmart never interfered or got involved in the guild wars in any way as these conflicts were often seen as very small scale inconsequential to the nations. These battles usually consist of 30-50 thousand combatants on each side, once one side is lost, the number of followers left might be too little to build another army while the empire and kingdoms could muster up armies of hundreds of thousands with ease.
-UNE Foreign Legion boot camp, planet Urhart III, Urhart system—
A platoon of UFL recruits is standing at attention in front of their drill instructors after they finish a building clearing drill. However, they did not successfully finish the drill as they made a few critical errors.
"This is unacceptable, 121st platoon give me 50 laps around the camp and restart the drill. We're doing this until it's perfect. No rest until then, now MOVE!" one of the drill instructors orders.
"We did our part, not all of us screwed up. It's the Batarian that screwed up, punish him!" One of the recruits speaks up.
"Who said that!" the drill instructor shouts "Step in front of the formation, name and species!".
The recruit walks forward and stand at attention in front of the platoon "Sura 'Rosum, Sangheili, Sir!".
The instructor walks towards the recruit to face him, the Sangheili is taller but that does not matter "So you think whoever make mistakes should pay for it by themselves. Is that it? Was that how your military train you?".
"Sir, yes, sir! He forgot to check the corner it was his duty alone. He alone should be punished for it, sir!" the recruit replies.
The instructor walks away from the recruit and face the entire platoon "What if there was a Stalker, a Hunter or a Marauder in that corner? Or worst, a Banshee? Anyone of those could've easily wiped out the entire platoon if they caught you by surprise. Every one of you idiot would be dead and your objective area was not cleared. Now, there's a hold in the line so command would have to diverse troops from somewhere else to clear your objective area for you because one of you idiots got the entire platoon killed" he walks towards another recruit and ask "Do you know why that's bad?".
"It slows the operation down and give enemy time, sir!" the recruits answers.
"Exactly, it takes time to move troops. During that time the enemy's reinforcement could arrive they could encircle our flanks, or what if operation objective is to liberate a pocket of stranded civilians? How many more people would die waiting to be saved because one stupid fucker messed up? How many more reapers everyone else have to fight through to get to the objective because the enemy reinforcement arrived during the pause? How many more troops would die for a lesser chance of victory?" He says as he walks back towards the Sangheili recruit "So, no recruit, in the real world when you fuck up the war is over for you because you're dead, but everyone else will pay the price for you. Thousands, millions maybe billions of lives will be loss just because you alone make a mistake".
"So, 121st, I say again, give me 100 laps and restart the drill. We're not resting until it's perfect. Move!" he looks up and order the platoon to start running.
"Sir, yes, sir!" the entire platoon shout in unison and start running with a new motivation.
Not far from where they are is a camera drone that is recording the whole thing live straight to the presidential office.
"So, you think they're good enough for GIA's SOG training?" President Liam asks Joint Chief Brooklyn.
SOG (special operations group) is GIA's elite and secretive special force that engage in clandestine and covert operations. In the event of blown cover or captured the UNE would most likely deny all knowledge and involvement. While they are not as elite in combat as the SIFs, their skills in espionage activities are exceptional. This unit typically do not use any UNE technology for their mission and take part in GIA's secretive missions in foreign space only.
"Yes, sir. They are not as good as human troops yet, but I am confident that they are more than capable of taking out the Salvationist targets if they are trained for it. Agent Viktor also suggested that the aliens will be able to blend in better than our own human soldiers" Brooklyn replies.
"Ok I'm giving you the green light, make it happen" Liam orders.
"Yes sir, Brooklyn out".
-1st Squad, 5th SIF, Somewhere in Rondel-
The grenades work wonder in slowing the golems down and the SIFs' weapons are good enough to take down smaller enemies. However, they are retreating away from the objective as the golems keep pushing on. It is imperative that they get to the Council Chamber and find a way to stop the chaos that is raging in the city.
"Rory!" Ava shouts into the comms "Where the hell are you?"
Rory breaks away from a rock formation that was thrown at her by one of the mages. While they know they are doomed once an apostle is set on killing them, but they are trying to delay the inevitable as long as possible in the hope that they could take out the SIFs before meeting their end.
"Going up against a dozen of mages is not a snape of a finger!" Rory replies with a bit of annoyance towards the hostile mages in her voice, she then lowers her voice and continues awkwardly "ma'am".
"I thought you're their apostle?" Ava orders.
"I'm not their apostle, Kaian is. These people worship Minerva" Rory leaps forwards and slice 2 mages in half "But I don't think they'll listen to Kaian either".
"Why?" Ava asks while providing covering fire for another SIF.
"I don't know, maybe I will ask one of them" Rory replies sarcastically, licking her lips while staring down the terrified mage before detaching his head in a single slice of her halberd.
"Finish it up quickly and regroup!" Ava orders after seeing the video feed via TACNet.
-2nd Squad, 5th SIF, Somewhere in Rondel—
The squad is moving cautiously closer to major Carter's location. This part of the city is oddly quiet, despite being one of the center sections of Rondel. However, according to TACNet it is also near one of the hostile guilds.
"Sierra 5, come in. Over" Carter whispered into the comms.
"This is Sierra 5 2-1, hearing you loud and clear. Over" Ashley replies.
"I detected a platoon size of contacts are heading into the building, possibly hostile" Carter says as she takes another peek at the approaching group "They seem to have mages with them, we're gonna need backup ASAP. If those mages catch us…what's your ETA? Over" Carter says.
Ashley takes a short look at the intel that the spy drone they launched earlier is providing. The path is relatively clear with a few unknown contacts, most likely civilians or low threats. With Kaian taking point, the squad is moving closer to Carter's location.
"ETA 10min, stay alive major. Over" Ashley replies as she commands the squad to hasten the pace.
"Copy that" Carter replies then takes another peak "no promises, colonel we're gotta move" she talks to O'Neill but he's still unconscious.
The house they're in is 5 floors, including ground level, narrow building with only 1 set of stairs leading up. It is easy to defend if the enemy doesn't want to demolish the house and buy some time for the SIFs to reach them. Currently, they are on the 1st floor above the ground floor. Just as Carter starts picking the colonel up to move, he starts to regain consciousness.
"Carter? Where are we going?" O'Neill asks.
"Up sir, the enemy is closing on our position. SIFs are coming, but we need to give them time" Carter replies as she's moving quickly up the stairs.
"Cool…" O'Neill replies sarcastically then passes out again.
As she's going up the floors, Carter sets up camouflaged mines along the way. The mines are small, they are enough to kill in enclosed spaces but not strong enough to bring down the building. Once she's at the top floor, Carter finds a table and turns it on its side facing the stair, at the far side of the room, then sets the colonel down behind it. It's a thin table, it might not provide a lot of protection but at least it will be something.
She places a few more mines at the top of the stair that leads up to their floor. These mines do not kill but will seriously wound the enemy. The idea is to incapacitate the first few enemies that come up the stairs so the rest will have to help them or try to get over their wounded friend. Either way, it will slow them down considerably and allow Carter time to engage them.
Major Carter thought of punching a hole in the building at the back and jumping down the street trying to escape to the embassy with the colonel. However, carrying an unconscious man and running around a city full of angry mages with unknown powers is not a good idea.
She takes up a position ready to defend the floor "Hope that's enough" she says.
Kaian is taking point, leading the squad closer to the building with a quick pace. They encountered some hostiles but nothing serious. The TACNet relays Carter's plan to Ashley and the situation surrounding the building. Enemy combatants are starting to enter the building after talking to a local who pointed them towards where Carter is hiding. The major's plan is solid but those people have no reason to keep them alive, which could lead to them destroying the whole building with magic after taking some losses. That might not kill the major because her TAC suit is intact but it would certainly kill the colonel because his suit is depleted.
"We have to move faster. Kaian, see if you can slow them down. Go!" Ashley orders then she mentions another SIF "you take point, move!".
"Got it" Kaian replies then leaps to the roof of a nearby house and speeds towards the house.
The enemy group is a mix of followers from the guild of nature who can control plants and animals, and the guild of air. There are about 40 of them but the mages' robes are very distinct from the non-magic followers. Ashley could count there are 11 mages with them. From the TACNet feed of Rory fighting the mages, she knows Kaian won't be able to take them out quickly but at least he'll be able to keep those mages occupied and give Carter a better chance.
As soon as the first follower enters the house, one of the mines that major Carter set up detects them and triggers its AI to adjust its blast zone for the most efficient kill zone. It then explodes and shoots out thousands of razor-sharp shrapnel that has 15000 m/s (49000 feet/s) initial projectile velocity directly at the followers killing the one that is already inside then penetrating the thin wooden wall and killing 3 others while injuring a few more. All happened in less than half a second.
Realise that the build might be rigged full of traps, one of the mages controls plants to quickly crawl up the stairs so it will trigger and surprise that is waiting for them. Unfortunately, the AI in the mines is able to detect that there is no hostile combatant in range and do not detonate. Confident that they have cleared the way, the followers quickly enter the house to go up the floor with shields in front and mages behind them.
"Stop" Kaian says as he lands behind them, loud but calmly. He slams the back end of his spear on the ground, creating a loud clanking noise that echoes.
The followers turn to face him with staffs, swords and shields ready. Once they see it is Kaian, the apostle of the most worshipped god in Rondel, they immediately bow to him.
"His holiness, did Minerva send you to help us clean this city of the heresy and their supporters?" One of the mages says, his most elegant robe gives him away as the leader of this group.
"Minerva is no more, the gods are no more, and the people in that building are under my protection. Leave now or face my wrath" he replies calmly.
"What do you mean the gods are no more? Why are you speaking in such a blasphemy tone? Why are you protecting these heretics?" the mage asks, he seems both confused and scared.
"The gods are dead, Minerva is gone, I saw it with my own eyes. There are much greater threats out there, greater than you could ever fathom and I saw it all. The UNE is the best hope for our survival and as long as that is the case, I will protect them" his tone gets colder as he speaks and he slightly lifts his spear indicating that he will strike them down if they do not heed his words.
"I…I…" the mage mumbles in great confusion and disbelief "you must be under powerful charm to usher such words Minerva will not forgive such blasphemy. She will reward us greatly for punishing you! Men attack!" he shouts.
"Fools" Kaian says calmly to himself then throws the spear straight at the followers.
Kaian reaction is too fast for any of them to react, his spear punches clean through 2 of them, one mage and another follower with shield and armor, the wooden wall and hit the wall at the back of the building. He then charges forward but one of the mages casts a spell that focuses a strong and dense narrow wind current directly at Kaian. The wind is strong enough to cut through a Rondel brick house if it hits one, however, it's only enough to stop Kaian on his track and prevent him from advancing.
While the mages are engaging Kaian, the rest of the group including 2 mages rush into the house to find Carter and O'Neill.
"Hi Kaian" major Carter speaks into the comms "thanks for coming".
"Hello major" he replies calmly while trying to push through the wind with little success.
The nature mages throw seeds onto the ground and cast a spell for some of them to grow so they could use their plant related spells. One of the nature mages calls up tree roots trying to tight Kaian down even more while another brings as many plants in the area to life. These plants are grown by the residents for decoration and occasional fruits; therefore, they are mostly small plants. The big ones are not bigger than an adult, however, the mage casts a spell that gives them thorns throughout their body and thorn wisps.
Kaian is now barely locked in place then his eyes start glowing bring gold as he's using his power to recall his spear to him. The spear shakes off the wall and in a swift turn, it flies straight back to Kaian. It pierces through the air mage that is casting the spell on Kaian killing him. Being freed from the force of the air current, Kaian snaps free his one arm and catches the spear then uses it to cut the rest of the roots that are holding him down.
By the time he is freed of the constraints, the plants are already charging him from all sides. He materializes the pistol in his left hand and shoots at the incoming plants while using his spear to pierce the closer ones. All the while, the roots keep trying to tight him down again and the air mages keep throwing big rubbles at him.
Just as he is about to be swarmed, Kaian slams his spear on the ground creating a shockwave that knocks all the plants back some distance. He then leaps forward the mages to take them out. Despite his speed, one of the mages reacts quickly enough and casts a spell that sends an air blast at him. Flying mid-air without anything to hold on, Kaian is once again knocked back. After regaining his balance, Kaian slashes his spear in the air as it glows and sends a razor-sharp curve of light toward the mages.
They immediately grow some of the left-over seeds into thick strong trees to block the attack. The trees are strong and mages tougher with magic, but they are not strong enough to stop Kaian's attack completely. The light blade cuts through the tree, weakened but still strong enough to cut one mage clean half.
There are now only five of them left to face an apostle, the mages pool their mana together and cast some of the most powerful spells they could. They turn the trees into unimaginable monstrosities and send them charging at Kaian while even stronger roots grow from the ground and tie him down. The air mages create winds stronger than any natural tornado but compact and focus on a small area where Kaian is. It sucks in rubbles and anything in the surrounding area into the current to form a deadly vortex with high-speed projectiles. Any mortal would die in an instant in this situation.
The followers rush up the stairs losing a few more of them to the mines that Carter set up. Once they reach the top floor, the mine explodes and vaporizes a leg of one of the followers and leaving him in the middle of the stairs yelling in paint. His friends try to get him out of the way but the stair is not wide enough for easy movement, especially when one of them is injured.
Cater takes the opportunity to engage them through the floor. She fires a few bursts killing a few of them trying to conserve as much ammo as possible because there's no SAT8 around for her to replicate more and the fight that she and colonel O'Neill went through to get here consumed most of their ammunition.
Seeing that they have to fight through a very narrow chock point to get to their enemies, the followers fall back down. The air mage that is with them casts a spell that drains all the air out of the top floor trying to suffocate Carter and O'Neill. Once that's done, one of the followers throws a magic grenade, the same one that the empire used against the UNE during the war, up onto the floor.
Carter immediately dives into the grenade and throws it back down the stairs then rushes over to the colonel, and transfers half her suit mass to him to form the helmet and the personal air replicator that is usually integrated within the suit itself. This will allow both her and O'Neill to breathe as the suit can replicate air for them. However, her suit is now very thin and while normal weapons would not harm her, powerful magic could do significant damage.
Seeing the grenade is thrown back down, the nature mage calls up plants to cover up the grenade before it explodes. It worked and none of the followers were injured. They can hear the battle outside against Kaian is getting more intense as their fellow mages are using stronger magics. They know they don't have much time left. The nature mages control all the left-over plants to charge up the stairs acting as meat shields so they can follow up.
Carter rushes to the window and looks down to the fight. Kaian is trying his best to break free of the magic but it does not seem to work. She turns back to the sound of the plants rushing up the stairs and starts shooting at them. There are so many of them that she would not have enough ammo to stop them all.
"Shit, LC where are you, we're about to be overrun!" She shouts into the comms.