Time for a new chapter! As always, read, review, and hopefully enjoy!

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Chapter 53: Operation Drive Thru Part 1

Alnus

"There's been a change in plans, Sergeant," Colonel Lowe said, returning the Dragon's hasty improvisation of a salute. No one liked last-minute changes in an operation, but this was a request from the British SAS and had just been signed off by General Hazama.

"Sir?" Owens asked, noting the four men in uniforms he didn't quite recognize, standing behind the Colonel.

"Sergeant Owens, meet Sergeant Moffit, Special Air Service."

"SAS? I take it, sir, that you and your unit need to get somewhere quietly and right under the bad guys' noses?"

Jack Moffit nodded. "Quite right, Sergeant. When your Colonel informed us how we were going in, the lads and I were a bit surprised. Not actually every day you fly in on a dragon."

"So? Where to Guv'nor?" Owens asked lightly, earning a chuckle from the Brits.

"They'll be hitting Sadera's South Gate," the Colonel told him.

"Carry out or delivery only?"

"Drop off only,"

"We ought to be able to hail a taxi when we're done," Sergeant Nichols put in. "We understand you'll be quite busy later."

Lowe nodded in confirmation. "Once you're done with the drop-off, we'll have your weapons team waiting for you at Chevron station to arm up. Then you'll carry out your mission to suppress the enemy air defenses as previously planned."

"Yes, sir." Owens looked at the four Brits. "Any special kit? I need to keep the weight down and between you guys and," he glanced over at Desiree. "My observer, that's about nine-hundred pounds I'm guessing. It's not a problem but if you want me to carry in a Challenger tank, that's a no."

"Oh! Nothing like that, old chap!" Sergeant Wilton laughed. "Just Buckingham Palace."

"Well, I'm glad it's nothing heavy," Owens replied drily.

Garvey, the fourth member of the team smirked. "British sense of humor, Sergeant." He said in an Irish lilt "Buckingham Palace…" He said, gesturing to a finely crafted box about three feet by three feet on a side and about eighteen inches tall.

"Aye!" An amused feminine voice cut in. Owens refocused his eyes and noted four Faeries decked out in black camo gear. "The only way ta travel!"

"Sergeant Owens," Nichols put in, "Allow me to introduce you o the rest of our team: We have Adairia, Caelan, Dymphna, and Eideann. Call signs: Wasp, Yellow Jacket, Dymphna's code name is 'White Witch'. She has a respectable ability with magic. Both sleep spells and stinging curses for starters." He threw a smirking glance at Wilton.

"It was an innocent little prank! She didn't have to go that far in getting even, y'know."

"We disagree," Eideann smirked. "But ye did apologize. So glad yer better."

Nichols rolled his eyes. "And Eideann there… There's a reason we call her 'Black Adder'."

The aforementioned Faery grinned, looking up at Owens. "And my! Aren't you a big strappin' fella!" She winked, ignoring the deadly glare from Desiree.

"Anyways," Adairia noted. "Buckingham Palace! Cozy little home away from home it is!"

Moffit nodded. "Combination ready room and lounge. It's soundproofed to keep out helicopter noise. A battery pack powers lights, communications, an electric kettle, and a heated floor. Four benches can be used as cots, a table, a pantry, weapons lockers… "

"Even a loo!" Caelan laughed. "All the comforts of home but the cable!"

"Of course," Nichols added. "One rule is that everyone wears their helmet inside. Won't have anything happening because of a sudden patch of turbulence."

Owens considered. "Doesn't look too heavy. I expect it's going to ride on top with everyone else?"

"Quite."

"Colonel, I'm guessing we don't have time to repaint the camo?"

"The trouble would be in switching back to the blue come morning if we did. So the blue camo stays. It shouldn't cause an issue but keep your eyes alert. We want you coming back in one piece," Lowe told him.

"All right then sir! We'd better get a move on!"

Italica

Itami stepped off the helicopter looking very different from the lackadaisical man Taylor first saw all those months ago. Behind him, Kurata, Tomita, and rest of Third Recon followed, along with Rory, Tuka, Lelei, and also Grey and two women Taylor didn't recognize. One was a somewhat shrunken and subdued girl whom Panache recognized as Shandy, and the other was introduced as Lelei's sister, Arpeggio. Taylor noted Tomita glance over at Bozes, who had arrived at Italica already, courtesy of Colonel Kengun. Bozes' eyes briefly warmed at the sight of Tomita before resuming their dark countenance.

Presently, Bozes slammed a gauntleted fist down on the table in front of them. "We need to act now!" She knew there had been no real choice when they abandoned the Jade Palace but the thought of Princess Pina trapped and possibly imprisoned while Bozes herself was now safe, gnawed at her.

Panache put a calming hand on her shoulder. "We will but for Pina's sake and the sake of our sister-at-arms, we must plan well. As much as we would both wish to charge the Gates ourselves and rescue Her Highness, we both know that would be a disaster."

"I know. It's just so frustrating."

"Since we know any attempt to dissuade you from coming would be pointless," Taylor began, doing some quick mental calculations. "Just know that we'll be flying out most of the way so we obviously can't take the whole order. We will take about a dozen of you with us." He knew that Bozes and Vifita looked determined to go and he was certain that Panache, Kahlua at the others who had accompanied him to this point were not going to simply stay here at Italica. Plus Grey and even the quiet Shandy seemed intent.

"Very well," Bozes accepted Taylor's reasoning and that it still meant that at least she could go. Glancing at Vifita and Panache and recognizing their determination, Bozes nodded. "Suissesse and Vermouth will be in command here while we are gone. I will inform them. "

"A moment, if you would?" Taylor held up a hand and glanced at Tomita. "Sergeant Tomita asked me about a favor a while back. You and Lady Vifita have new armor waiting for you. Go put it on, will you? I want everyone kitted out as best as we can before we leave."

Panache smiled gesturing minutely to the dragon-scale armor she now wore. "We know Her Highness won't wear hers unless we're wearing it already. I'll give you both a hand."

"Sergeant Tomita," Taylor suggested. "Perhaps you could lend a hand?"

"Sir!"

Itami raised an eyebrow as the Sergeant followed behind Bozes. Taylor chuckled. "Death by snu snu…."

Itami shook his head. "That's evil."

"Thank you, I try. Now, I'm guessing you're going after the Princess while we go for the training barracks?"

"Yes. Don't screw up, Taylor, we might need your help on the way out," Itami smirked.

"We'll be there."

Alnus

JSDF 1st Airborne Brigade

Corporal Shizaki leaned forward expectantly. Like the rest of the brigade, Shizaki had missed the Battle of Ginza and the battles around Alnus. They had been 'in country' for three months now and so far had yet to see combat.

Not that it would actually be combat, Shizaki told himself. "A bunch of dirty savages with swords! The only real mystery was why they hadn't already smacked these gaijin down in their place. But finally! That was going to change. Shizaki was actually quite anxious to drop this soldier gig after this. After he had won a little glory he could go back to his drawings. In his pocket was a drawing he had sketched out of a samurai raising his blade over one of the enemy soldiers. He glanced up at his platoon sergeant. Before boarding, Sergeant Hatori had given them all one last lecture about 'situational awareness'. The man needed to ease up, Shizaki thought. The drop would go like every exercise they ever had. It wouldn't take the greatest skill to overwhelm and overawe a backward bunch like these Saderans.

Feeling the big CH-47 lift off, at last, Shizaki grinned. Yes, he thought. Today was going to be a very satisfying day.

Saderan Home Guard

Sadera

Cadeus stifled a yawn as he stared out into the night sky. Joining the Imperial Army's Mage Corps had seemed like a good idea, especially with the promised bonuses. Well, he hadn't seen the silver yet, and nor had he seen much of anything else other than this boring wall. He hardly saw the point of being one of a handful of mages standing watch with Army Regulars waiting for an attack that was never going to happen.

To be certain, he had heard the rumors of the war with the off-worlders but that was well away from here. Not even the Northern Tribes had ever reached Sadera's walls at the nadir of the Arctic War. Still, as boring as this night was, it was peaceful enough and after his watch was over, he would have the next two days off.

He thought he might go into Akusho as some of his friends had been doing. While the Akusho district had a reputation, his friends were part of an exclusive club they said they could get him into if he wanted. They said the women were more properly appreciative of a man with talents. It cost a fair coin they said but they swore they got their money's worth as any man carrying a club token was feted like a lord. Fulgar even teased that if he were too shy, they'd provide a hostess who would let him just relax in her lap for an evening. Nellus had agreed and told him a trip to The Venus always left a man feeling like a Lord. Of course, the price was a bit much for a common miles, but as mages in the Imperial Army, they could afford to enjoy finer things just as their officers did. In fact, Fulgar told him that some of their officers also were members and actually seemed to approve. Probably because not only did the Venus have a reputation for discretion but as noted, this luxury wasn't cheap, and men who weren't already officers worked harder to get the promotions that would support such indulgence. Unknown to Cadeus and his friends was that a number of officers were encouraging men to join because their men tended to be more confident and assured after becoming members. Also, they earned points for encouraging new clientele but surely that was a secondary consideration.

The thought of enjoying the next two days brought renewed energy to Cadeus. He only had a few more hours on the wall, then he could rest up and enjoy a little excitement in his life.

407th Combat Support Hospital, Italica

"You've done outstanding work out here Henry," Colonel Potter told Blake.

"Thank you, sir. But if you don't mind, I'll be happy to leave the commanding to you, sir."

"Can't say I blame you. Damn paperwork. Can't live with it. Can't take a flamethrower to it."

"Yes sir."

"Well, things are kicking off again," Potter said sourly. "So we can expect a busy day. We'll get Grelkar and the rest of the mess staff going on breakfast. I want everyone to get in one good meal. It'll likely be sandwiches after that."

"How bad do you think it's going to be?" Blake asked. Like most of the staff of the 407th, he still considered himself a civilian stuck in a uniform, whereas Colonel Potter was a professional soldier.

"If it goes as planned and take that with a ton of salt, casualties on our side should be light. But you know how it was when we got here Henry. There are gonna be a lot of local kids treated to the wrong end of a threshing machine. Their only crime is that the guy giving them their orders is a real headcase."

"And here I thought we were making headway with the peace process."

"We were. That's what scared His Heinousness. Some folk just can't live without a war."

"And a lot of folks can't live with it, sir."

"Ain't that God's truth, Henry."

"Well, Countess Myui says whatever help she can give us is ours for the asking. Local healers, bed space, whatever we need. I've talked to a couple of mages and a Dark Elf who can do sleep magic. They might be useful in cases where normal anesthesia might be too dangerous."

"I've already gotten a memo from Captain Black about that. He agrees."

"Ugly John might not be much to look at but he knows his field," Blake nodded, commenting on the anesthetist's assessment.

"They know you best, Henry. You'll be our go-between. And thank Countess Myui for all of her help when you get a chance."

"Already done, sir." Henry smiled.

"Good. Well, let's hope today is a lot more boring than we expect."

Near Sadera, approximately 5 miles from the South Gate

"All right Sergeant," Moffit called finally. "Let's not press our luck with their spotters. You've done splendid getting us this close but let's set down in that field below us."

"All right then. Please secure your tray tables in the upright position and thank you for flying Screaming Eagle Airlines." Owens replied and began turning in a gentle descent, landing a few minutes later.

"Thank you, Sergeant Owens. Mind the palace if you will? But we'll take the rest from here."

"Good luck then. You'll have to let me know how it all goes, later on. I'll buy the beer."

"Guiness and you've got a deal, Sergeant," Nichols agreed."

"Come on ladies!" Eideann called out. "Pick a shoulder and settle in! And I'm calling it! Nicky is all mine!" She grinned, flitting up to his left shoulder, and hooked herself to a ring mounted there.

"Only for this mission luv!" Replied Caelan. "We'll see who gets Nicky in the end."

"You know I'm married, right?"

"We're sure she's an understandin' woman," Caelan purred even as she secured herself to Wilton.

Wilton shook his head. "Do you girls always have to be so randy?"

"Well yes," answered Dymphna cheekily. "And you all love us for it!"

"Well then!" Moffit said after making sure Adairia was secure. "We have an appointment to keep!" He looked up at Owens. "Pleasant journey to you and Miss Desiree. And Good luck come the morn."

"Thank you, Sergeant. Good luck to all of you as well." Owens lept into the air and soared off back to Chevron station.

"All right lads and lasses, eyes alert. We're on the Crown's time! Let's go."

Fort Defiance, Alnus

General Hazama watched as CH-47s, UH-60 Blackhawks, AH-1 Cobra Gunships, and AH-64 Apache helicopters began lifting off. The die was cast now and despite his worries concerning the 1st Air Brigade's lack of combat experience, he knew these men would do their utmost in achieving their objectives. And it was reassuring that the more acclimated men of the 101st, to be joined shortly by Colonel Kengun's 4th Combat Team would handle the actual extractions.

It was odd, Hazama thought. JSDF, United States Army, Marines, British SAS. These and more… The currency here was experience, not nationality, and Hazama had been given the privilege of commanding these men. Now it was his turn to wait.

There was one small detail he had left to attend to. The General smirked as he dialed up the base radio station. It would be soon time Prince Zorzal got his wake-up call.

With Task Force Cavalier, North of Chevron Station.

Driving the lead vehicle in the convoy, Yeoman Locke chuckled as she heard the Alnus Radio DJ announce a 'special request' going out to Prince Zorzal. She turned the radio up.

"And now, Prince Zorzal… For all that you do, this goes out to you…."

Over the airwaves, the strains of 'Guns and Roses' began to play.

"Welcome to the jungle…!"