Soldiers of a Neverending War (Closed: Graphic Content)

[Havensky]

H.R.A. Resolution
7th Expeditionary Fleet / Humanitarian White Fleet
Milograd, Gholgoth

The southern skies of Milograd had been darkened by the fires from the continued bombardment and repeated attacks by Kraven's advance forces. The smoke only made the dark grey of Gholgoth's winter seem colder.

From the ground, you couldn't see the stars amidst the smoke and the dark clouds. In the small coastal on the edge of eastern Milograd, you couldn't see much of anything.

And then, a single break in the clouds. Then another, and another.

Twelve small dagger shaped aircraft broke through the clouds and descended upon the coastal city. Scout drones, searching for threats - searching for survivors - searching to see what was left.

Bridge to Hangar, Skies clear - Launch Heartbreak Flight. Launch Salvation Flight.

Two large airship carriers opened their bellies and several helijets dropped from their hulls. A mix of escorts and humanitarian transport vehicles. Leading them was Heartbreak Leader flown by Lt. Ariana Chispa.

Heartbreak craft, Salvation Flight, this is Heartbreak Leader - Cut jets and move to rotary power in three...two...one...GO

The two dozen craft cut their jet engines. In a few moments, their wings became rotary blades and they descended further into the town.

Resolution, Heartbreak Leader - Dropping Team

Chispa brought her helijet into the city square... as soon as she touched down, Lt. Gavin Squall and his Heartbreak fire team jumped from the cargo hold. Right behind him, another helijet dropped the search and rescue team. The helijets took right back off.

Gavin Squall motioned to his team to move forward taking cover behind the husk of a taller building. He lifted his hand into a fist telling the squad to hold. He motioned to Glitch who released a small dragonfly drone into the air.

The dragonfly zoomed across the square and spotted a Kraven Exterminator Squad rounding up civilians and placing them into a single line. The Capitol Police Trooper loaded his machine gun and lifted it - preparing to fire.

BOOM!

The Capitol Police Officer fell to the ground.

Hurk Turbek, Milogradian Refugee and now a Skyan Legionary, said nothing as he shifted his .50 caliber rifle to the next Capitol Police Trooper. The firefight was just the kind of homecoming he had expected.

Once the area was clear, Gavin gave the signal to move.

Control, Heartbreak 6 - Area One Secured, beginning evac

Gavin's team took their positions, covering the Search and Rescue teams.

Skyan Search and Rescue! We're here to evacuate you! Call out!

Search and rescue teams moved from room to room, helping to guide the Milograd civilians to the rescue helijets. They moved with all possible speed as they knew their presence would not go unnoticed.

[Dephire]

"She's sinking, Admiral! The Defiance is sinking!" The warnings had gone out just minutes ago, but there is no deterrent to molten metal falling from space. Briska's pride was now sinking, and she was would die before ever seeing a Briskan harbor. It was only a couple of days ago that the homeland had been struck a harsh blow. Now, Godsend Admiral Tigar was standing on the bridge looking at the the destruction that lay before him. Massive holes were gouged through the hull of the mighty ship and she was lurching forward as water gushed in. Other ships in his fleet also suffered from the attack... It was a mess. The fortunate thing for him was that the ship was too massive to sink at any faster rate, which meant he could save much of his crew.

"Abandon ship. I will stay behind to ensure most get off this hunk of steel." Tigar saw his men hesitate at first, but they rushed to the the escape boats. It was only a few more hours before the Defiance finally rested at the bottom of the sea. The Godsend Admiral spent those hours saving his sailors from the same watery grave. The captain had gone down with his ship. Several thousand sailors had been displaced by the loss of the multiple ships, but the one loss they mourned more so was for their Admiral. Hundreds had been saved by his selflessness.

The sailors made their way to other accompanying ships, and the Armada pressed onward towards the Briskan shores. There was no anger nor grudges among them. They wanted to return to their wives, husbands, and children. So many lives had already been lost for unknown reasons. Sure, they wanted answers as to why their people suffered for being who they were, but for now they just wanted to live.

Temple of the Archangel Scythis
The Holy City of Ghray

"Another attack, Emperor. This time we lost the Defiance and her escorts. We lost at least two thousand sailors, more reports may come in later. Godsend Admiral Tigar was reported to have gone down with the ship. The sailors say he helped save the lives of thousands." The Godsend Generals had been called into a meeting. Wilhelm and Tynsei were also in the room. The overall mood was grim. Anger, hatred, and disgust filled nearly all of the individuals. In the audience were Templars and Briskans alike, their eyes resting upon Tristan and his war council as to what will occur.

Tristan Skragg, the Emperor, was stunned. His nation was hurting. His Imperial Armada was embarrassed. The nation as a whole was now a laughing stock. This was all because he chose not to act. He was informed that the Jagadites had bombarded his nation with weapons from space. He was told that allies of Havensky might try to act as well. Yet he chose not to do anything. He was a forgiving man, but now he was wondering if he was too forgiving. His generals demanded blood. His people demanded revenge. He wanted the bloodshed to stop.

"You know the only way to a true peace is through silence." The demon in his mind spoke to him through a serpent tongue. "Silence of all."

I will not destroy those who are misguided. Do not try to manipulate my decision, worm. Tristan sighed. Tynsei stood by his side and her hand rested on Tristan's right shoulder, a ring made of obsidian with a ruby set within was on her finger. A promise.

"It matters not what you wish, Archangel. Clearly the enemy welcomes you to show them what you truly are capable of doing. You just have to accept that fate weaves what must be." The voice whispered softly. For a moment, Tristan considered the demon's advice, but shook his head, drawing the attention of the generals in session.

"Emperor, what do you wish us to do? If we went to war, we would crush all who opposed us! We can redeem our nation and show the World we are not just some puppet of the Reich!" The Godsend General at the far end of the table stood and held up a chalice in the air. Cheers roared around the room, but Tristan stood up, causing the room to go deathly silent.

"I, too, grow tired of our nation being thought of as just an extension of Kraven. This is why I have not acted upon anything. The Jags struck is with God Rods, as did their allies. This was because my delegates betrayed the Empire. If I want war, it will be on my own terms! I am the Emperor of Briska! Do as I command! There will be Peace!" Tristan struck the stone table with his fist, shards of stone flew in the air and cracks sprouted in every which direction from where his fist landed. The generals were speechless. One side of Tristan's face had turned black, but returned to normal when he sat back down.

"Yes.. Sir..." They stammered.

"Good, now that we are in perfect understanding. I will be off. Defend my nation while I am gone. Tynsei, is the Archangel ready?"

"Yes, my love, she's ready for your arrival."

"..But sir, where do you go?"

"I am going to the Jagada Fleet. There are some amends we need to discuss. If I do not return... Then I suggest you turn southern Gholgoth into a nuclear wasteland." Tristan stood up and walked out of the room.


"Attention Jagada Fleet. I am Tristan Skragg, Emperor of Briska. I am approaching your fleet by myself in my own airplane. I ask that you allow me to speak with your commanding officer in plain sight of all. If you decline my offer, then I will understand. Give me this chance..." Tristan sent the message as his unarmed jet screamed across the sky. The Templar Armada was on the horizon to his south, the Jagada armada was to his north, and he was in the middle of it all.

[Jagada]

JGFS Godless Shrine
Flagship of the Milograd Expeditionary Fleet,
Southwestern Gholgoth,
Milograd Southern Coast

Mira grunted as she watched the radar signatures of the Briskan fleet slowly drift away. It went against everything she had ever believed to just let them walk away. Strategically it was a monumental failure because now an entire Briskan fleet was allowed to just sail away to likely attack Jagada later, maybe even her. It was a calculated risk to even trust Tigar but his actions did not betray his words as the Briskan fleet relinquished the seas to her armada. With a flick of her finger she pushed away the radar and brought up the message she had sent to Admiral Tigar before they parted ways:

Code: Select all

ATTENTION BRISKAN FLEET:
ADMIRAL TIGAR, I AM FIRST ADMIRAL MARI OF THE MATRIARCHY OF JAGADA. DO NOT BE COY WITH YOURS WORDS ADMIRAL NOR ATTEMPT TO PLAY US FOR THE FOOL. WE KNOW OF YOUR SUICIDE BOMBERS ON BOARD OUR WARSHIPS AND BRISKA NOW BURNS IN RETRIBUTION. WE WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO STOP YOU ADMIRAL EITHER OUT OF COMPASSION OR SHEER STUPIDITY. I HAVEN'T DECIDED ON WHICH ONE. INFORM YOUR EMPEROR THAT THE MILLIONS THAT HAVE DIED HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF HIM.

She wasn't sure exactly how the admiral had received the message since she told her communications officer to relay nothing to her in reply unless it was aggressive. As the Briskan Fleet trailed off, her armada began to enclose around the southern Milograd shoreline. She placed a large contingent of battlecruisers and submarines on their flanks incase the Briskans suddenly returned or the Reich attempted to intervene to stop them. As the fleets began to form up the blockade, the Jagite naval aircraft launched from dozens of carriers, each capable of carrying dozens of warplanes. They covered the sky like a blanket as they began to fly patrol routes over the coastline to ensure total air supremacy.

Over the coarse of the next several hours the Jagite armada would begin the arduous task of actually deploying the forces that engorged their troop transports and other vessels. The amphibious landing craft were released from the fleet as hundreds of naval guns aimed at the coastline. The slightest hint of Milogradian resistance to their salvation would be met with overwhelming force. Mari would laugh at that notion each time it crossed her mind. These people would become more than slaves to Kraven or leeches to Havensky whether they liked it or not and if a few needed to be shot to prove the point then so be it.

The aircraft above had already reported smoke further in-country and that likely meant that the Capitol Police had already pushed a great deal deeper into MIlograd. This would make the entire operation more difficult and put a lot of pressure on both her and the army to achieve the results necessary within reduced time lines.

As the Jagites made landfall across the southern coast line, tens of thousands of them, their immediate task was to secure their beachheads against potential Capitol Police or Sarduakar counter-attack. This was achieved by mobile, rapidly deployed fortifications which in some cases were actual chain-link fence or pre-fab concrete walls and in others little more than a line of APCs to give some protection. Numerous command centers were immediately established once the landing elements pushed deeper inland, all the while under air-cover. These facilities would help ease the logistical burden placed upon the landing forces as they established supply depots and attempted to get resupply routes established over the bombed out ruins of Milograds roads. It wouldn't be long before the Jagites would engage Kraven or some form of Milograd resistance. The question to Mari was which one would hit them first?

(OOC: I'm not sure if Kraven already had complete control of Milograd or just has death-squads running around the southern region. Kraven, feel free to resist the landing and we can move from that point.)

-----
JGFS Forgotten God,
15 kilometers from Jagite territorial waters,
Gholgoth

'He will live?' asked Ottar as he stood over the broken form of Sir Lucas Ironwing. The Templar had sustained burns to his face and much of his armor was scorched. Ever so often the suit would read off some medical information about Ironwing's current condition. Portions of the suit had been removed, especially around the next area, to help doctors treat his severe burns.

'Yes,' replied the Forgotten God's chief surgeon as he checked Ironwing's charts again, 'Third-degree burns to his face may leave some scarring. I'd be surprised if he looked the same after this. Once we reach the mainland we can have him airlifted to Misty General Hospital. They had a severe-burn center there that can treat this better than we can.'

Ottar shook his head, 'Damn you Killia. I hope you're enjoying whatever hell you went to. Keep me updated doctor.'

The surgeon only nodded as Ottar walked out of the medical bay and into the twisting confines of the carrier, the two guards behind him in full power armor helped set the mood for the entire ship. He'd ordered it locked down following the bombing. The crew was on edge but no one more so than the security teams who blamed themselves for Killia's death. His report to the Matriarch would make it clear that Killia had, once again, went around every standard protocol in allowing diplomat from a Reich-supporter on board. His rebellious attitude had cost him his life and the lives of nearly a dozen personnel.

'Admiral,' came a voice in his ear.

'Yes?'

'Radar has confirmed an aircraft is in bound.'

'Jagite? We sent a medical distress to the dockyards, it might be emergency personnel.'

'No sir,' the voice said in hesitation, 'Confirmed as Briskan.'

'Shoot it out of the sky,' he said flatly.

Seconds of silence past and each one only made Ottar's ire rise, 'Confirm!'

'Admiral ... sir, the aircraft reports that it is being flown by Tristan Skragg, the Briskan emperor. He requests an audience.'

'Play me the message.'

The communications was filtered from the bridge to Ottar's location within the vessel and he listened to it intently. His first thought was that Emperor Skragg must be completely suicidal for attempting to approach the 21st Fleet after what his diplomats did. The second was believing that Ottar was going to fall for the same damned trick that Killia did.

'Destroy it,' he said after a few moments.

That's when he realized there was no sound in the ear-piece. Not even residual static, just complete silence.

'Son of a bitch,' he moaned as he tapped at the device in his ear with his finger trying to get it to reconnection. After a few seconds he heard popping and then a voice.

'See what he wants Ottar.'

He froze and for just a few seconds his was certain his heart stopped beating, 'But ... how?'

No response came but Ottar knew he wasn't hearing voices.

'Sir? Sir?' came the voice again, and Ottar's breathing must have given him away, 'Sir we lost you for a moment. Equipment must be faulty because of the explosion.'

'Inform the Briskan that we will hear what he has to say,' said Ottar, 'Tell him to stay fifteen kilometers away from the fleet. I will need transport to the [i]Supreme Conviction. Inform her captain that I will be taking temporary command.'[/i]

Ottar took the ear piece out before he would have to endure the questioning and hesitant tones of his subordinates. He didn't like it either but when the mistress wanted something he wasn't going to be the man to deny her.

[Dephire]

Lone Wolf

"Copy that. Just tell me where to land and I shall." Tristan felt uneasy with the unexpected course of actions he was taking. Surely the Jagadites were wanting to still make him suffer, but he hoped his own presence would help numb any desires to try for his life.

The Temple of the Archangel

Tynsei sat at Tristan's place among the War Council. They still debated about a military strike using weapons that sounded unfamiliar to her. "General Niv, please explain to me what this God Slayer is."

The Godsend General looked as if he were slapped in the face, "How dare a Templar speak to me! Filthy bitch of a woman!"

Tynsei laughed, a haunting sound to those in the room, but it was one of the Templar Marshals that spoke up, "That woman is Templar Grand Admiral of the Templar Armada and Tristan's chosen bride to be. You best watch your tongue whilst it speaks in His temple!"

"Pah, some Emperor. Marrying to riff raff. He should marry Briskan Royalty!" Niv snarled, but noticed he was not making any friends in the room. Even his fellow Godsends were giving signs that they were offended. "What? This lady is no Briskan. It's no wonder our Emperor is such a spineless man."

Wilhelm had slowly been moving around the room, getting closer and closer to the man. The eyes of the room followed him slowly.

"We would have been better off just taking back the country ourselves. We at least would of had the balls to wipe out the Jagada scum!"

"What good would that have done? Exchange lives with more lives? You are either mad or an idiot." Wilhelm laughed. He was now standing behind General Niv, who was starting to sweat nervously. "We have lost so many because of so few." He placed his hands on each of the man's shoulders, holding them firmly.

"Get your hands off me, freak!" Niv tried to brush off Wilhelm's hands, but they were gripping too tightly.

"The only freak in here is you, General Niv. Wilhelm, see him out." Tynsei nodded to the madman. Wilhelm lifted the general out of his chair and dragged him to the chamber door.

"You will regret this, you treacherous bitch! You will rue the day you made enemies of the House of Var!" Wilhelm threw him out of the chamber and shut the door. Niv Var ran to it and started banging on the door. "I will make sure my soldiers never serve in your armies! You hear me?! I will destroy you!"

"Pardon me." Tynsei excused herself from the table. The council watched her as she pulled out a slender short sword that was sheathed at her waist. Wilhelm opened the door as she approached, "Thank you, Wilhelm." She smiled gingerly, then thrust the sword through the Godsend General's chest. "You are relieved of your position. Your armies belong to the Empire." The general fell to the floor and a pool of blood oozed about. "It is a damn good thing the carpets were changed to blood-red." She cleaned off the sword using the general's coat.

"I will send the body to the wolves," Wilhelm tilted his head as he examined the shocked expression on the general's face.

"We wouldn't want the poor things to get sick, just incinerate him."

"Yes, Empress." Wilhelm smiled and picked up the body. "I will be right back." He left with the body slumped over his shoulder, just as a boy not older than sixteen came running up.

"Ma'am, is this the War Council?" The young boy seemed exhausted and was panting after running.

Tynsei bent down, "Yes it is, would you like to come in?" She smiled kindly to the boy and opened the door.

The boy looked inside and saw fifty of the highest ranked and most powerful people in the nation, ranging from the very old and experienced to the very young and naive. The appearance alone was intimidating enough, but then he noticed the Imperial Ring on her finger and backed up slowly, "I-I'm sorry, my lady, I di-"

"No need to worry, come in and tell me what had you running over here so quickly." She guided the boy into the room and made one of the generals closest to her take Niv's seat just so that the boy could sit next to her.

"Lady Domrea, where's Tristan?" The boy looked around the room, but did not see the Emperor.

"He's gone for a bit, sweetie. You can tell me what's wrong." She tried her best to sound kind and gentle-hearted.

"They found him."

The Archangel

The Templar Armada had re-entered Gholgoth waters and was heading towards Briska at full speed. They, like most of the people, had only been informed about the attack on Dephire, and had been given orders to return home. The Templar Grand Admiral Tynsei left Ki'lan, Grand Marshal of the Seas and commander of the Pillar of the West to be in temporary control over the entire Templar Armada. He was foreign to Briska, taken in by the Order when he was an orphan, but you gain a family when you join the Templar Order.

"Ki'lan, single Briskan ship approaching the Jagada fleet. Call sign, The Lone Wolf." The radar technician reported.

"Lone Wolf? Hail the craft and ask what the hell they are doing!"

"Yes, Marshal Ki'lan, what do you want?" The voice was very recognizable. It was the same voice of the man that saved him at the Battle of Hell's Gate almost a year ago.

"...Tristan? What are you doing?"

"Trying to save my world from being turned into ash. How are you?"

Jokes? This type of situation called for more than jokes! "So, Tristan, I see you are heading straight towards the Jags at reckless speeds. Mind telling me if we need to be covering your ass?"

"Trust me, Ki'lan. There are more important things in this world than[i] my ass."[/i] Kil'an heard the Emperor laugh over the comms, and he could not help but chuckle himself.

"Just don't get yourself killed... Tynsei would have the lot of us executed."

"Copy that. Lone Wolf out." The line disconnected.

He hasn't referred to himself as Lone Wolf until before he became a Marshal... That man has some serious demons indeed.

[Havensky]

JGDS The Forgotten God
Gholgoth

Lucas Ironwing awoke, blinking his eyes and experienced a few moments of disorientation as he remembered where he was. He had been fast asleep in the aftermath of the explosion that had killed his pilot.

He reached up to touch his face, which still held a slight burning feeling. Even a slight touch of his bandages sent a sharp pain in through his cheek.

He looked around to realize he was in the medical wing of the ship, although he wasn't sure if he was still on the Forgotten God. The last thing he remembered was being carried away by the medics.

A nurse came walking by not noticing that Ironwing was awake at first.

Excuse me..., Ironwing spoke his voice sounding surprisingly more weak than he imagined.

The nurse walked over, Oh, you're awake.. how are you feeling? Do you know where you are?

Ironwing nodded, I'm alive.. has my wife been contacted?

Yes, we've sent your government regular updates on your condition.

Ironwing breathed a sigh or relief, he hated to think of Jessica worrying.

And what about Lt. Redhawk?

The nurse gave a saddened look, He's in our morgue sir. But you need to rest now.

Ironwing listened, not just to the nurse's voice but to the sounds of the ship. He had been in enough operations during his lifetime to know when ships were agitated with upcoming actions or recent events. Footsteps were increased, there was more shouting. And after the explosion, surely there had been some reaction?

I'd rest a little easier knowing what was going on.

The nurse hesitated, but told Ironwing anyway.

There has been a successful heavy strike on Briska using satellite weaponry on both their navy and the homeland...

Ironwing closed his eyes and groaned... so much for unification.

And your forces and ours have arrived at Milograd and are beginning to evacuate Milograd.

Gavin felt a little better, at least things were moving forward... Worry also started to creep in as he knew his students would be part of the operation. It was a fine time to be lying on his back, he thought to himself sarcastically.

That still hadn't explained the uptempo feeling he'd been hearing on the decks above (?) him.

Where is Admiral Ottar? I assume he's busy with something, but I would like to speak to him.

The nurse hesitated again, He's preparing to receive an incoming. ... guest.

Ironwing scrunched his eyebrows. He knew that she was speaking nurse-speak where they didn't want to give you stressful information. Before she became Secretary of State, Jessica had been a medic and still had that voice.

Who is the guest? If he was another member of the Navy, you would have just said a rank or personnel.

The nurse started to look panicked, she hadn't been sure how much she was free to say.

A high ranking government leader from Briska flying in.

Ironwing's eyes shot up, given recent events it must have been a very high ranking member to get permission to board this particular vessel. He would need to speak with them as things were getting way too chaotic as they were. He would have to get caught up quickly in terms of how bad the attacks were. He swung his legs out to the side of the bed.

SIR! You can't get up.

Ironwing shook his head, Technically, it's the suit doing the work - and I won't let anyone's first impression of me be from the viewpoint of me on my deathbed.

SIR! You need to rest.. you're severely burned - you'll catch-

Ironwing stood up, or rather commanded the suit to stand him up. His entire body was sore as if he'd been in a car wreck or bucked off a bull.

Tell you what, I'll wait for the doc for the go-ahead - I'll even have one of you sitting with me just in case. But if this ship is running around at this tempo because something really important is happening, then I need to be a part of it.

[Kahanistan]

Skyan Fleet, after departure from Ruby City

Roughly six thousand Kahanistanian soldiers, split among aircraft crews, paratroopers, medics, technicians, chemical warfare units and command staff, were heading to Milograd aboard one of the sixty-six airships of the Airship Armada. The air wings carried a total of three hundred planes - forty refuelers, fifty strategic lifters, one hundred and forty fighters, ten early warning aircraft and sixty heavy bombers, and a paratrooper brigade with attached light artillery and armoured vehicles.

General Nadia Sklenova, the operational commander, announced rules of engagement to senior Kahanistanian Defence Forces officers. "We're here on a humanitarian mission, assisting our Skyan allies in the evacuation of Milograd. We're helping the Milogradian civilians, so obviously we will not be targeting them. I shouldn't have to explain this, but I'm not seeing the KDF get entangled in another scandal like Torontia. If you see rogue, ostensibly friendly units shooting down civilians, you're cleared to engage. You wouldn't stand there while a Sardaukar trooper machine gunned civilians, I don't want us tolerating it from our allies either. I think it'll be more a problem with the Jagites than the Skyans, but they're friendly for now. Briskan units are hostile until established otherwise. Kraven units are absolutely hostile. I don't want to see our soldiers fight the Milogradians, engage them only if you are engaged first and cannot evade or get them to drop their weapons. We're saving their country, so it shouldn't be a problem, but wherever Kraven lands their collaborators come out of the woodwork. We aren't at war, officially, we're aiding an ally. That may change as the conflict progresses, and if it does we'll receive reinforcements from New Masada. We'll be landing in Milograd soon enough."

[Jagada]

JGFS Supreme Verdict,
Fifteen kilometers away from 21st Fleet,
Southwestern Gholgoth (Near Jagite territorial waters)

'Briskan aircraft you are authorized to land on the flight deck,' intoned the officers on board the Supreme Verdict.

'Permission to speak freely Admiral,' said Captain Bittor as he watched the Briskan aircraft angle towards the carrier.

'Only if you have to.'

'Good, I was worried I'd have to disobey a direct order,' said Bittor with sarcasm, 'Sir, this is about fucking crazy.'

'Noted Captain Bittor,' said Ottar before a grin spread across his face, 'And you're loving every minute of it.'

Bittor looked like he'd been struck, 'M'lord no! What is there to like about breaking every protocol that has made our semi-Republic the greatest nation in Gholgoth? What is there to like about inviting onboard the leader of the people we just dropped the fingers of the gods upon? What is-'

'Enough Captain,' interrupted Ottar. His tone was firm. Bittor was a good, solid captain but he would never attain any higher rank due to his smartass attitude and it had been his reckless abandon that had allowed him to even get this far. Ottar still wasn't sure how the hell he got command of the Supreme Verdict, a light assault carrier. It was nothing compared to the Forgotten God but it was good at chasing down pirates from the former lands of the Allied Federation of Governments coastal city-states. To his credit Bittor immediately shut his mouth but only composed himself in such strict adherence to military protocol as to be bordering on insult. The Admiral sighed inwardly. Originally he was going to choose the Supreme Conviction, a cousin of the Bittor's vessel, but apparently the this Tristan Skragg flew in style and didn't come in a VTOL.

This was fortunate since if he showed up in the same VTOL that brought his suicide diplomats he'd have to kindly wait for the good emperor to be safely on board before directing one of the forward guns to scrap it.

The Briskan aircraft descended expertly hitting the flight deck at an optimal angle and deceleration catching the tension cable to assist in slowing it down. Ottar eyed the vessel and wondered if it was just another damned ruse and that the plane was about to blow up. No, he decided, if it was intended to do that the pilot would have sacrifice himself in a kamikaze attack. Much more efficient and with the carrier being lightly armed it wouldn't have been difficult once he started coming in low.

'Keep an eye on me out there captain,' said Ottar as he turned and left the bridge to meet this Tristan Skragg on the flight deck, in the open as he requested.

Once Ottar was gone, Brittor looked over at the power armored marine that had remained on the bridge. A squad of ten men had come with Ottar from the Forgotten God and the rest of his squad was positioned along the ironworks and towers of the carrier ready to move in an extract Ottar at the slightest hint of aggression.

'Any window of your choice soldier,' said Bittor smiling. The marine nodded and turned around to the black case that he'd kept leaning against the wall behind him and pulled out its contents. A sniper rifle. He silently walked over to the window on the bridge and knelt down, taking up both position and aim at Tristan Skragg as he exited the plane.

'Don't miss' said the captain as he eyed the two men on the flight deck approach one another.

On the flight deck below Ottar exited the command tower and began to approach the aircraft, crew members had moved forward to assist Tristan in exiting his aircraft. No doubt these men had reservations about helping the emperor of the enemy but thinking of geopolitical matters were well above their head. Ottar eyed the man as they approached each other. Ottar was sizeable for a man of the Navy, standing over a little over six foot tall and broad of shoulders. He had lost his hair years ago (damn genetics) and kept his beard shaved except for a handle-bar style mustache that had greyed at the tips. It reminded him of his father growing up and he'd kept it after it grew on him.

No pleasantries were going to be exchanged. Ottar stopped about six feet before reaching the Briskan Emperor. No salute to a superior social figure, no hand extended in courtesy.

'What do you have to say Briskan?'

[Dephire]

Tristan examined his welcome party. He had expected this level of hospitality after finding out what his guardians had done. He was not among friends on this ship. The Jags did not intimidate him, nor did the sniper he noticed out of the corner of his eye, whose scope flashed against the sunlight. He stood just over six foot himself, comparable to his host. Tristan wore clothing unfitting of an Emperor, tan pants with a red shirt. Before leaving for the fleet, Tristan shaved his head and beard to peach fuzz. Now that he stood before Ottar, it was obvious the reason for his attire. He took off his shirt and spun around slowly, showing that the only scar that was on his body was from the near-fatal wound that Vega gave him a year ago. The side of his abdomen where the scar rested had turned black, as if frostbite clung to his flesh.

"I know the last visit you had did not end on good notes between my people and yours. I show you that the only scar I have upon my body was given to me by a demon. I have had no surgeries. Those who have scarred our relations were traitors to the Empire. I, too, trusted them with my livelihood, and I came to you to give you my sincerest apologies." He pulled the shirt back on his body. "If you do not believe me, then I will accept my fate. Toss my plane overboard and take me as your prisoner." He turned and looked at the location location where he had seen the sniper's scope, "Or you could shoot me and start a war that will destroy our nations. I have come to terms with myself that coming here may be the last thing I do in my life, but if I have to give up my own life for my people to be safe, then so be it."

Tristan put his hands against his head and turned his back to his hosts, then got down on his knees. Far in the distance, he saw his Templar Armada skirting the horizon, making haste to the east. His thoughts were of his fiance, Tynsei, and hoped she can forgive him.

"I had hoped to come here and speak of peace between our nations. I know what your nation did to mine, and I forgive you for that. I should have come myself instead of sending people I thought I could trust. I heard many died because they trusted me..." He could not hide the tears in his vulnerable position.

You cry in front of these mongrels? The voice spoke, mockingly. What kind of Emperor are you?

I am an Emperor of Hope, demon. Now kindly leave. Tristan replied to the voice.

Why should I leave? I want to enjoy the show as they stab you in the back.

"Then that is the sacrifice that I must make..." He whispered to himself.

[Jagada]

JGFS Supreme Verdict,
Southwestern Gholgoth,
15 kilometers from 21st Fleet

The seconds passed like hours as Tristan kneeled on the flight-deck of the assault carrier, no less than ten rifles aimed at his skull at any one time. The situation was tense as the 21st Fleet picked up the movements of the Templar Armada in the distance and positioned themselves to immediately intercept them should they move on the carrier to rescue their emperor. Ottar was unconcerned about the Briskan fleet at this point since they were far too vast for his forces to defeat in a conventional fight. This exchange could only go a few different ways and most of them would end with his fleet sleeping silently at the bottom of the Gothic oceans, joining his ancient Goth brothers in their watery graves. He wasn't sure exactly how to answer.

The speakers suddenly popped across the vessel catching everyone's attention. Ottar remembered the sound and knew exactly who it was.

'Tristan Skragg, Emperor of Dephire, Lord of the Briskans,' the voice said calmly through the vessel's speakers, 'You have audacity to even board this vessel. You have either truth on your side or are completely mad to do so without guards.'

The crew stood still as the voice was a murky whisper that gave off the hint of someone who had seen a little too much in her time.

'I know that you know of our attack on Briska. If you have come here expecting us to beg forgiveness, even if it is a mistake, then you have wasted your breath and your life. We do not ask your pardon. Your apathy to the monsters that lurk just across your border is testament enough to your arrogance. Your peoples willingness to ignore the atrocities the Reich commits damns them all the same. The blood of your craven people is on their hands.'

Ottar coughed. He'd never held any lengthy conversation with the Matriarch and like virtually everyone had never seen her. To hear the scorn in her voice now reminded him of his disappointed mother when she heard of his decision to join the Navy.

The voice almost seemed to recognize Ottar's cough and her tone softened fractionally, 'We were once guilty of that same sin. We paid for it in the blood of six billion souls and the destruction of our millennia old homeland. You want peace with Jagada, Emperor Skragg? It comes with a price I'm not sure you're willing to pay.'

She let the words sink in before continuing, 'You will make an oath to Jagada and I. An ironclad one that shall not be broken and its merit will be immediately seen. I do not ask anything so mundane as your neutrality in this war, nor anything so ambitious as your submission to us. No there is something much more demanding ...'

'You will declare war on the Reich and open a second front against them. You will do this Emperor Tristan Skragg if you want Jagada and Briska to stand side-by-side as we should against the Kravenic threat. If you refuse, then you won't be leaving this vessel. The time for neutrality is over, the time for apathy has passed. Make your choice ...'

----
Southern Milograd,
Milograd Expeditionary Force,
Southwestern Gholgoth

The landings had been completely unopposed by the Reich who, if reports were accurate, had begun their status quo along the northern portions of Milograd. Satellites had confirmed an uncontested landing by the Capitol Police and rapid movement into the deep country driving southwards. Those same satellites had also sent chilling images to Central Command and First Admiral Mari about the mass execution of civilians. She immediately set about using them to rally this bedraggled people into something that might one day resemble a third-rate militia.

Since the landing had been declared a success Central Command had given Mari a promotion in the field, a well expected one that was apart of standard military operation since she was after all the overall commander of the Expeditionary Force. That she was also an admiral had only ensured she'd actually lead the armada as well. Her new title was Lord Marshall and she had moved from the more intense tactical situations of the fleets into the grand strategic administration role of her new rank. The first order of business was to establish an easily defend command center that could serve the entire campaign and could be easily supply and manned. The Milogradians had once adhered to a doctrine where they were taken from the cold, inhospitable countryside and placed within a number of cities so that their government could more easily watch them. Once this government collapsed some years ago the exodus from the cities had been immediate and widespread as the people desired space. Chaos and violence had followed them with numerous militias forming up for all kind of petty warlords. The ruins of the first city that the Jagites came across in their drive to the north had no name, at least no unified name. Every tin-pot dictator who ruled parts of the city gave it different names and all of the claimed they were legitimate.

The warlords had laid down their weapons the moment Jagite special forces had moved ahead and made contact with them. This was Mari's velvet glove approach towards securing the Milogradians for future operations. Special Forces were deployed ahead of the advancing tide of infantry, tanks, and air superiority fighters to either break down resistance, facilitate evacuation to the south, or harass any unexpected Kraven forces. These teams had already murdered dozens of people, some innocent, some not in their drive to break up die-hard resistance. The tactic sat well with Mari, even though she suspected if her would-be allies knew about these black ops they would furious. She held respect for the Skyans even if she thought they were a little too naïve for their own good while the Kahanistanians were just a few steps from being too bleeding heart for her liking. She would do all she could to keep them away from any real fighting to prevent their compassion from disrupting her plans.

Still no one could doubt the effectiveness of her methods as the Jagites moved into that first city, which they dubbed Marinople, after their overall commander (some kiss ass sub-general no doubt ...) they encountered no resistance. In fact that Milogradians where in the streets cheering them and the few warlords who had actually submitted had their ragtag militias standing in something akin to a formation offering their services.

-----
Marinople, Milograd
Southwestern Gholgoth,
Jagite-Controlled Milograd

The streets of Marinople had been filled with hundreds of thousands of Milogradians who eagerly welcomed their liberators. Special Forces teams had taken the videos and satellites images of the funeral pyres of Kraven's advances and, after they'd eliminated the more fanatical resistance, showed them freely to the populace to show that the Jagites were definitely the lesser of two evils. The Matriarchy took no time in securing the city and Lord Marshall Mari established her headquarters in a former governmental office that appeared to be for a high-ranking official. That was as it should be. Use the institutions the people were already familiar with to impose your own rule. This was especially true in totalitarian or police states where the people naturally looked to these buildings and those within for direction. In some of the less witty masses they would likely not even see the different flags and faces and would just be content to return to the simplicity of tyranny.

Thousands of Jagies soldiers moved through the city demoing unnecessary or dangerous buildings and establish stockyards, helipads, medical stations, and armories. Marinople would become the central city, located in the center of Milograd's southern region it would be the heart of not only the Jagite military by the soon to be Milograd Resistance. And this is where they encountered their first set of problems.

Order 45 came directly from the Matriarch and therefore brokered no discussion on its implementation. Even Central Command had, had a few times where their orders were rejected by rebellious officers who though the politician-generals to be brain dead, but never the Matriarch. To incur her wrath was to ensure your quiet removal. When the Lord Marshall received her mistress' dictate she saw both opportunity and potential in the plan. She had actually suggested something like this to Central Command, which likely meant some greying jackass had stolen her idea after disapproving it and attempted to garner favor with the Matriarch. The key difference was again the level of compassion. Mari saw the Milogradians has cattle, little more than the cows of another tyrannical government hellbent on world domination and they'd just saw there and taken it like good sheep. Her plan had been to just bunch them together, put a brigade of her more ... disciplined troops behind them and herd them into the machine-guns of the Capitol Police. It wasn't for simple brutality and genocide but would tie down a lot of Kravenic forces to allow her soldiers to capture their objectives with minimum losses.

This revised version of her plan didn't allow that. The Milogradians were not cattle, but victims of Kraven, and would be treated as such. She was now required to assign valuable medical personnel and labor auxiliaries to helping the sick, very young, crippled, women, and children flee to the south towards the Skyans and Kahanistanian forces who would either evacuate them or assist them in other ways. Mari disapproved but carried the order out and soon stream of these people began their march to the south, towards their eventual freedom. Mari wasn't stupid however and knew Kravenic satellites were always watching and so had decided, to help prevent any kind of unnecessary PR crisis, to put anti-aircraft weapons and some guard bases along the route to the south to ward off Kraven extermination squads and bombing. She'd also assigned some aircraft to patrol the skies above and had designed the light-assault carriers Reignite and Trilogy to be ready to deploy if the alarm was raised.

The only part of the order that made any sense to Mari was the one she was having the least trouble enforcing -- all able bodied males were required to fight. She'd established a Discipline Corps once Order 45 became official and these men were response for rounding up and organizing the Milogradian males into something of an effective fighting force. As more men and material came pouring in from the Expeditionary Fleet further south -- along with rumors of reinforcements already being loaded onto another fleet back home, it boded well for the Milogradians as they were given uniforms (these had been pre-fabricated in anticipation of Order 45) and were little more than light grey trench coats with standard military uniforms underneath. They were also given less advanced versions of the JR-5 Assault Rifle. Overall the Milogradians would not be anywhere near as effective as their power armored Jagite allies but they could be something at least against the Supreme State.

And so, as Mari looked out from her grey and broken fortress in Marinople she saw the Milogradian people slowly taking up the immense, almost unbearable challenge of freeing themselves from the most dangerous regime in the world.

[Dephire]

JGFS Supreme Verdict
Southwestern Gholgoth

Tristan stood before the Jags and listened carefully to what the Matriarch said. He was unsure if the woman was being sarcastic throughout her speech, or if he had truly been threatened. She sounded bitter to the young man. Part of what she said gave him a sense of disgust with the way she addressed his people and the demands made infuriated him.

Kill the bitch, Tristan. Silence her with your God Slayer! The demon whispered to him through serpent tongue.

"Lady Matriarch, you speak of audacity as if I were a war criminal. You give me an ultimatum of life or death by your hand as if I have a choice. You tell me that I either choose a death by the Reich's hands or by the hands of Jagada? I came here to speak of peace with you and you spit this in my face. Condemning my people for the actions of two? Murdering millions for the loss of a few without proper investigation nor true evidence? You damned my people and you forsake them by having me choose which poison to drink. Yes, I know of your attack. I know you slaughtered my people without mercy nor second guess. Yet you also sit here and not even offer any compassion for those I have lost. You instead put the blame on us for your ill conceived judgment. Yet for the price of your peace, that would mean declaring war on a power that is on my eternal doorstep?" Tristan looked out towards the sea again. "You are a foreigner... An invader in my home. I came to you as a man of peace, and it is obvious to me that all you want is war." He shook his head with disappointment. "I thought you were better than this."

Temple of the Archangel Scythis
Holy City of Ghray, Briska

"They found him..." Tynsei was sitting at the head of the War Council's table, looking over the data. Pictures and visual analysts of Grand Master Menias Volthe's demise. "Why would the people..."

"Perhaps they had mistook his aircraft for one of the Reich's?" A Godsend General chimed in.

"Insulting! Templar aircraft look nothing like the abominations those Capitol Police put together!" One of the Templars shouted from the back.

"Perhaps we are not focusing on the right matter at this time," Wilhelm spoke very softly, but the spines of the council were all tingling.

"What do you mean?" Another of the generals spoke.

Wilhelm pressed a button, raising a series of small screens on the table and large screens from the ceiling for those not at the table. "Our Emperor decided to go say 'hello' to the Jag fleet." Tristan appeared on the screen via live satellite feed. "Colossus, identify situation."

"Situation is critical. Emperor Tristan is in danger. Advise immediate intervention." The voice sounded deep and highly modified by electronic feedback.

"You see, ladies and gentlemen, our proud emperor has attempted to make peace with the Jags, and they appear to want him dead. This may be payback for the attacks." Wilhelm spoke with an analytically matter-of-fact tone.

"I see over-cautious sailors who want to make sure the same fate is not in store for that vessel." Tynsei smoothly stated, "I cannot blame them for not accepting the truth."

"They attacked our nation! One million lives perished overnight. They are the ones responsible!" Wilhelm pointed at the Jags. "They struck us while we slept, unaware that anything had happened. They lashed out like cowards. We should strike at them while we still have the capability!"

"No." Tynsei spoke the word with kindness that was heavily laden with authority. The council chamber was silent. Wilhelm appeared stunned by her notion. "We have orders not to strike at the Jags. What justice would there be in it? We strike back, war ignites, then we just grind our nations to a pulp. There will only be one winner, and that is the Angel of Death. Tristan wants peace and we shall act accordingly. Do you understand me, Wilhelm?"

"No? Those bastards hit our homeland!"

"Because you forced their hand, Wilhelm!" Tynsei stood now and glared at the man at the other end of the table. Her angry could be felt in the room as if Hell itself had entered the chamber. "You are responsible for this mess. I was going to confront you and have you handed over to the Jags at the conclusion of this meeting, but it must be known. You gave the order... You damned the millions lost."

Wilhelm retreated within himself. The eyes of the council were now focusing on the man. He could feel their stare. How did she find out? Only the Reich knew about my involvement... The answer came to him in the form of a soft whisper within his head.

"You will answer for your sin, Dimitri. May you finally find rest."

"Jessica Heart... That bitch." Wilhelm laughed to himself. He was now backed into a corner. A rat surrounded by cats. "You think me defeated? You think you won? This means nothing! Even if you present this before the Matriarch, she will still demand more blood! I finally handed a war to you! It was planned that Tristan become the new Black King and begin the final purge, but most plans must be redone. He will be sacrificed for the Glory of the Empire! You will take his place and be the Black Queen! Oh glorious!"

Tynsei smiled and glanced at the obsidian ring she wore on her commitment finger, "You truly are a mad man. Arrest him."

At her command, four of the Godsend Generals and four of the Templar Generals stood up and bound Wilhelm's wrists together. One leaned in and whispered into his ear, "This is the Briskan Empire, resistance is encouraged." They lead him out of the chamber.

As he passed her, Wilhellm glanced over to Tynsei, "I will never forget, nor will we ever forgive." The doors slammed shut behind the armed escort.

"Nor do I..." Tynsei whispered softly and held her head down. "Thank you for the information, Lady Jessica. I hope you can relay the same information to the Jags before they kill my husband-to-be." She looked over at the table where a red light was shining. Below the light was a switch with the words 'Comm Line' written next to it. It had been a hellish nightmare of collaboration between Havensky and Briska, but they were able to get Wilhelm to finally give himself up. The conversation had been relayed to Jessica. It was only a matter of time before it was made public.

JGFS Supreme Verdict
Southwestern Gholgoth

"I stand before you, Ottar, as a man of his word. I swear unto you that I will uphold the Justice of these lands. The Reich will be stopped, but under my own terms. There will be peace in my realm. Lady Matriarch, I have the utmost respect for you and a compassion for your people. I will only help if you swear to leave once this is over. I wish not to make you my enemy. I only wish to bring about peace." Again Tristan felt like he was just repeating himself. He was unsure what the Jags were thinking at this point. He showed no signs of aggression and spoke with as much sincerity as he could muster. "I wish to pay my respects to the families who suffered for my mistakes of trust..."

The young man then realized that he had not fully given the Matriarch an actual answer.

"My Empire will make a move against the Kraven invasion. You will have your third front." He took a few steps towards his parked jet. "Does this satisfy you, Lady Matriarch?" He turned towards Ottar. "...because I need to notify my people to stand down." He smiled, which was friendly, warm, and kind. "When I find the true man responsible behind the deaths of your sailors, Ottar, I will personally ensure that he is delivered to you."

[Havensky]

To the tune of Hero by Skillet (Legion of Doom Remix)

Northern Milograd
Gholgoth

whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Gavin Squall called out to his team, INCOMING!

Heartbreak Squad and the Humanitarian Team they were escorting hit the ground as heavy shells from Kraven's railway artillery hit the small town they were currently evacuating. The shell hit what Gavin assumed was a school building and sent brick and wood flying in every direction. There was an eerie silence that followed the hit.

Gavin got up and checked his team. Two, Four, Six, Eight, Ten, and me.

Salvation 2-1, what's your sitrep?

Salvation? SITREP

Static, then a weak bit of chatter.

Heartbreak 1-1, Salvation 2-2, 2-1 is down... 1 KIA, 4 Wounded, it came down right on us.

Copy requesting evac. Resolution, Heartbreak 2-1 - Request immediate air support and medic evac for 5

Dorottya's voice came over the radio.

Heartbreak, Bright Dagger - Evac being ordered for everyone. Bulk of Kilo Invasion force moving to your area. You're out of time, time to go.

Gavin cut the mic and cursed, Heartbreak/Salvations teams, pull back to drop point.

whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.....BOOM

Another round of artillery struck the town crashing near a small house ripping it apart. Gunfire began to ring out as more Kraven advance units descended on the town.

In the midst of the chaos and destruction, a small sound of crying rang out from the dismantled home.

Hurk Turbek looked at Gavin and tilted his head, as if to say he wanted to go get the small crying sound out of the house.

Gavin shook his head, We're out of time.. we gotta go..

Hurk gave a glare looking foward, but then looking back.

Do you think you can make it?

Hurk nodded, putting his rifle in the hostler in his back.

Go hurry, Heartbreak 2 and 3, escort Salvation Team to drop point - Heartbreak 1 - give Hurk some cover fire

Hurk broke off into a sprint towards the house, while the rest of the team took cover and raised their rifles. Down the street, a shell of a small office building erupted in gunfire and soon a squad of Capitol Police troopers rounded the corner.

Heartbreak team opened a steady stream of fire while the massive frame of Hurk barreled down towards the house. Another explosion was set off behind him as another shell landed.

Hurk entered the house as the Skyan and Kraven fire teams exchanged fire outside. He looked around desperately for the source of the crying inside the wreckage. A beam had fallen down in the center of the room and was blocking entry to what used to be a closet. Hurk lifted the beam, struggling even with the power armor's help. He tossed it aside and moved towards the closet. He opened it to find a small girl, maybe no older than five years old cowering inside.

Hurk opened his arms, but the girl backed away behind some old coats.

It's ok, I'm going to take you somewhere safe.

The girl peeked out behind the coats, Hurk attempted a smile.

The girl, quite suddenly, rushed over to Hurk and wrapped her arms around his neck. Hurk put one arm around her and with his other arm raised his shield to protect her. He then rushed out of the house and back towards the waiting cargo hold of Lt. Ariana Chispa's helijet.

* * * * *

Kraven Deathship, Skyan Designation Zeta One
Hidden City Port, Havensky
Texas

Edwige stood on the bridge behind the Captain's chair of Zeta One. The construction crews had removed enough of the vessel so that it was unrecognizable from it's previous incarnation, but the bridge still carried an eerie feeling to it.

Jessica was in the Captain's chair finishing her message to the Matriarch of Jagada.

As you can see my Lady, we now have proof that this attack was not authorized and appears to have been done behind the back of Emperor Tristan Skragg. An action borne of Kraven deceit and treachery.

As you know, I was once under the control of the Kraven relay before being rescued by Sir Lucas Ironwing - who now rests aboard one of your vessels. I can assure you that the man responsible is not of sound mind. This does not make it excusable, but I thought you should know the truth of the events.

You should also know that these events have not passed through the hearts of the People of Havensky without incident. The People of Havensky demand retribution for Kraven's treachery. Even now, the People of Havensky have sent their Armada to Milograd and will be fighting Kraven in the west.

* * * * *

The Airship Armada
The Coast of Western Milograd
Gholgoth

It started with a barrage of missiles.

High above the western coast of Milograd, scout drones were scanning the coastline for Kraven positions. Once identified, the missile cruisers at the head of the formation would fire off rounds of high impact air to ground missiles. To the civilians of Milograd, it looked as if the hellfire was coming down from the skies.

The four airship carriers began to drop their payload of combat drones seeking out Kraven aircraft and clearing the skies. At the rear of the formation, the Airships carrying Neptune Flight opened up. The crew chief looked out from the flight deck and gave a thumbs up.

In the converted airships, three hundred fighter craft dropped into the sky.

In the last airship carrier, helijet after helijet began to drop from it's belly carrying the Skyan Legion tasked with establishing a beachhead in Western Milograd. The Armada had arrived.

Kraven Deathship, Skyan Designation Zeta One
Hidden City Port, Havensky
Texas

Did we betray Wilhelm Aunt Jessica?

Yes and no.. Wilhelm betrays himself on a regular basis. He can not hope to save himself. Now that we've told somebody, they can watch him... and possibly deliver him to us for treatment... but in the greater scheme of things... if Wilhelm really is good - he would understand what we've done... saved his people from more bloodshed and cleared the Emperor's name.

Was there no other way?

War's hard... decisions have to be made.. we can only hope for the best

[Kahanistan]

Western Milograd

The Kahanistanian air wings deployed from the converted Skyan carrier. The pilots and air crews looked out their windows and could see the continent of Milograd, darkened with the clouds that were typical of Kraven occupations. It looked like they were heading straight into the darkness. Below, KDF paratroopers made for the beach head alongside their allies, as missiles and bombs chewed up the beach in advance of their landing, targeting artillery pieces and machine gun nests that could threaten the ground troops.

General Sklenova looked down from the cockpit of her MiG-29. Her radar was detecting a missile locked onto her plane almost immediately. She gritted her teeth and did a high-G turn. As the missile followed her, it made a much wider arc than her plane. She then pulled up on her control stick, forcing the plane to climb at a near ninety degree angle from the ground, and the pursuing missile's engine burned out, out of fuel. Comm traffic came over her radio.

"Bright Angel, this is Blackbird. We detected a stingray on your tail. Are you OK?"

"Copy, Blackbird," Sklenova replied. "This is Bright Angel, stingray down."

"Roger that, Bright Angel. Closing in to destroy Kraven air defences. Skyans still have our back?"

"As long as we don't get too far from the Skyan fleet and don't get caught between Kraven lines. Let me know when the paras are landed… Bright Angel out."

[Havensky]

HRA Resolution
103 Kilometers West of Gogonodo, Milograd
Gholgoth

WWWWWEEEEEEERRRRRNNNN -- WARNING: INCOMING MISSILE VOLLEY DETECTED -- WWWWWEEEEEEERRRRRNNNN! -- WARNING: INCOMING MISSILE VOLLEY DETECTED

On screen, prepare to launch countermeasures., ordered Admiral Hikaru Shingen calmly.

The Resolution and the 7th Airship Fleet had just crossed over Mt. Silver when the alarms had gone off. The 7th Fleet, which had surrounded the Humanitarian Fleet on it's way to Ganos Lao in order to drop off refugees before going back for another pickup. It appeared that the Kraven Reich wasn't going to let them just fly away without consequence.

On the screen, hundreds of red dots appeared as they moved towards the fleet.

That's a lot of missiles sir..

Just stay calm.. All ships: Maximum Speed, Raise Altitude. Escorts: Rear Down Formation, Fire at will

The escort vessels of the 7th Fleet moved towards the rear of the formation, with all the other ships now flying at a higher altitude Each ship began to open fire at the incoming onslaught. Missiles exploded in midair as the gunners made their mark, but they were simply too many missiles. Several dozen were getting through, but they ignored the escorts.

Runaway Scrape to Resolution, Be advised - missiles have fixed target

Shingen remained calm, All vessels - brace for impact - launch countermeasures

In the sky, dozens of flares shot out from the vessels of the 7th Fleet and about half the missiles veered off into the wrong direction. However, a flurry of missiles barreled past the combat airship and towards the the humanitarian vessels of the White Fleet.

Several transport craft were hit by one or two of the missiles, sustaining damage but still flying. However, a dozen high yield anti-aircraft missiles had been concentrated on the engines of the hospital airship the HRA Comfort.

Explosions rocked through the airship as the missiles hit the hull and the rear engines blew to pieces.

Resolution, Comfort: engines down, electroaero cells 17-47 hit, fires on decks one through three..

The hospital airship began to turn and descend violently.

Resolution, Comfort - Crash imminent

The admiral cursed, ordering an airship group to follow the Comfort down and rescue any survivors. The rest of the Fleet would escort the White Fleet back to Ganos Lao to drop off their human cargo.

Comms, send a message to High Command. Let them know that we have lost the [i]Comfort - Also let them know that Kraven ignored our combat vessels and aimed straight for our humanitarian vessels. End message.[/i]

The comms ensign sent the message, than turned to the Admiral.

Why attack the hospital ships?

Any number of reasons ensign. To strike fear in the refugees, to make them too afraid to move... because it upsets us... or because they're just bastards.

The admiral marked a few points on the map.

Make sure that Jagada command knows about the missile emplacements - and tell Ganos Lao we should be arriving in the next three hours.

* * * * *

Forward Operating Base Longhorn
45 Miles North of Argyz, Milograd
Gholgoth

Once the skies near Argyz had been cleared, four Atlas class airship transports landed in a cross formation on a flat barren field just north of the capital city of Argyz. The 8th Heavy Infantry Brigade Combat Team began to roll off the airships as dozens of Bearkat-Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Fighting Bull Tanks, and Longbow Mobile Artillery vehicles. Engineers began to erect defensive barriers and roll out pre-manufactured runways so reinforcements from allies forces could land without incident.

To the south and west of the Argyz, a similar scene was unfolding. Kraven advanced forces may not have had overwhelming force, but there were enough elements in the city to make it's capture difficult. They would have to clear each building and it would take time. A direct assault on the city from the air or the sea would be a dangerous possibility. Instead, they would surround the city and move in from all sides. Kraven's forces would have no exit route. Once the city was cleared, they could use the seaport and the airports to help move civilian forces out and allied military forces in.

Argyz would serve as the Skyan base of operations and High Command needed the city secure. Specifically, the airport would be of immense importance as a launching point for the rest of the operation.

The 7th Fleet had been a quick strike force flown in to rescue civilians quickly before the onset of the Reich's invasion. In the west, there would be no quick in and out. Argyz would be cleared of all threats and Havensky would hold it. Strikes and evacuations would then occur with Argyz as the central base.

The armored vehicles maneuvered themselves into position. The tanks and infantry fighting vehicles would operate in mixed companies. Inside each infantry vehicle was a fighting squad which would be tasked with clearing out buildings room by room. The Legionnaires were rehearsing through plans, checking their equipment, and loading their guns. Next to each platoon, a single attack helijet sat, their crews checking over the final details. These helijets would provide close air support during the battle.

In the sky, the elements of the Airship Armada had broken off into groups surrounding the capital city. A separate airship group would stay with Khanistani air wing as it hunted Kraven forces in the area.

Colonel Bexar looked up at the darkening sky as three Raven scout drones flew overhead on their patrol. An aide brought him a screen with updated troop positions. This was good, he thought. Minimal resistance had been found in the middle of nowhere - no doubt because there was nobody out here for Kraven to terrorize.

All units reporting REDCON 1 Sir, the aide commented.

Excellent, any word on the 45th and 5th teams?

REDCON 2, Should be ready to go in the next fifteen minutes.

Perfect, get the helijets fired up - we don't want to be sitting here any longer than we have to. As soon as the other teams are ready, let's roll out.

[Jagada]

Suilen, Milograd (Marianople)
Jagite Command Center
Southwestern Gholgoth,

And so it had begun. Decades ago it was the Reich who fired the first shot in the infamous Extermination War and it was they who would fire the first shot in this war. Though their attack wasn't a surprise to the Matriarchy. The Jagite had just as many satellites watching Kraven. They watched the amount of Capitol Police loading off their transport ships, the construction works of the slaves, the executions, the madness, the slaughter -- all with a cold calm and calculation that had been so uncharacteristic of them in the first war.

The Extermination War had started suddenly, once the Reichmarshalls found religious texts in Furher Franco York's quarters. Instead of just killing York and installing a puppet the Supreme State decided that Jagada must be made an example. They murdered civilians without discrimination or care - no thought given to collateral damage, production, slaves, cost. Everything was tainted in their eyes, everything must be burned. The Jagites of the old homeland were far more fragile that their descendants. They had cried, begged, and pleaded with the Supreme State. Dozens of provinces, after learning of why they were being murdered, ordered their soldiers to stand down as they pleaded with Kraven to spare them. Some even began to genocide themselves in the hopes that it would make a fitting tribute. It didn't and in the end Kraven killed them all the same.

These Jagites didn't care about their ancestors. They were weak. They made a deal with the devil and he took his due. These Jagites looked on with cold indifference to the suffer of others, nothing was beyond them either. Kill a million foreigners to save a thousand Jagites? Without hesitation. So as they watched the Milogradian people die in hellfire they weren't overly concerned about it for it was standard Kraven policy. Had Kraven not killed the civilians, and given them food and shelter -- the Jagites probably would have lost their minds.

When the first of the Kraven rail artillery began to be loaded in Fortress Norska, the Matriarchy knew exactly what they intended to do. The next day when they began to unload onto pre-fashioned rail tracks Central Command relayed all the relevant information to Lord Marshall Mari who immediately ordered Suilen to prepare for the incoming bombardment. The Milogradian civilians were given ample warning and she dedicate some of her labor auxiliaries to assisting in their shelter in-place measures. The Jagites troops themselves had spent the entire night moving ammunition depots underground as much as possible while Mari had abandoned the government building she'd been occupying in favor of a far more fortified former military complex. The shells fell around mid-morning, each explosion shattered whole buildings, civilians and soldiers died by the dozens. Mari's military complex was hit but withstood the bombardment as it had been designed to do. Still she had the basement areas cleared and set up as a more permanent command center.

Once the Jagites began weathering the storm there was a decision to make -- how to respond. Mari cursed the Matriarch's short-sighted decision to use the god rods against Briska. Those very same rods could have been used against this artillery now. It would take months before those satellites were restored to the offensive. Kraven had established heavy anti-aircraft fortifications around the artillery and now ran interceptors in patrols over northern Milograd to protect them. The artillery was too well protected for an air-strike and any ground offensive towards it would be heavily contested. Missile strikes were possible but would likely be countered. That's when the idea struck her.

The Expeditionary Fleet had set themselves up across the Xudao Sea and had taken up primary docking around Suilen, but also Sakkao. From there dozens of assault submarines left the fleet and would meet up with others patrolling the central and eastern waters of Gholgoth before they would stealthily enter the Kravenic Sea that separated Milograd and Kraven. Here they would begin conducting interdiction runs against Kraven. The submarine commanders were given explicit orders to avoid a confrontation with Super Dreadnaughts or any of the other obviously oversized and unnecessarily militant ships that Kraven built and focus on their supply and material vessels exclusively. If Mari couldn't destroy the damned rail artillery, she'd starve the bastards.

------
Kiceniz, Milograd
First Contact

The day dawned a clear but foggy one over the broken ruins of Kiceniz. Bohumir mused over what this city might have once looked like back when Milograds dictators ruled it. No doubt it was just as grey and dreary but at least would have the life of people. Through the scope of his JR-5 rifle he saw the silhouette of Capitol Police marching down the road. He had set himself up in one of the various habitation units that lined the courtyard below where pedestals with statues of long-dead heroes decorated it. Four dead ended into this courtyard and down each of them he could see Capitol Police advancing, even the one which ran alongside the building he was in had the black-armored troopers moving coldly down it. Then came the sound of automatic gun-fire as the Resistance attacked yet again.

Whatever the ultimate fate of the Milogradians was, Bohumir couldn't help but admire their sheer tenacity in the face of almost certain extinction. A Jagite was probably one of the few people in the word that could honestly respect that quality in a person. As he looked through his scope he saw the Capitol Police that were moving down the road opposite of him suddenly begin moving around with a sort of mechanical urgency as sporadic gunfire from the courtyard took a handful of them down. The Milogradians were putting up a fierce fight and a number of the troopers were going down but Bohumir declined to fire in support of them. The Milogradians were already defeated.

The appearance of a Kravenic tank moving through the fog confirmed his suspicions as it spat its fire down the road, hitting a pocket of resistance troops. Everywhere the Milogradians were fall back from their road-blocks and into the courtyard where the Capitol Police merely ground them down by sheer weight of firepower. The Troopers moved into the area with brutal effectiveness as the attacked strongpoints and quickly drove a wedge in the defenders formation before widening that gap and then pocketing the defense and slowly grinding it down.

'Engage,' he spoke into his radio. The Kravenic military was a brutally effective war-machine but Capitol Police held one weakness - they weren't human in the true sense. They followed preset combat protocols for any number of instances with the Relay advising them and directing them in situations that went beyond that protocol. As the Milogradians ceased to be a real threat the Troopers made their first mistake as they brought their armored units in close so that their turret mounted machine-guns could assist. This brought them well within both the range and optimal firing view of the Jagite missile launchers scattered throughout the habitation units.

One moment the Capitol Police had won the engagement and the next they were reeling around trying to find out where the sneak attack was coming from. The tanks and armored vehicles didn't make it as the missiles hit them first, as soon as the explosions went up the machine-guns began to chew into the Kravenic ranks before finally rifle-equipped infantry took careful, aimed shots to bring down those in cover. In just under seven minutes the entire engagement was over with minimal losses for the Jagites.

They then sent recovery teams to out of cover to redirect the surviving Milogradians back down roads which would ultimately lead them to both food and shelter, but ultimately more war. Once the all-clear was given, the an Extraction Squad was sent out and a request for a APC was sent. It had been decades since the Reich and Jagada had fought and the Matriarchy wasn't going to lose the war. The extraction squad put bullets through every troopers head to make sure they were actually dead before picking those with the most intact armor and quickly stripping it off them and loading it into containers. Things like grenades were placed into separate, armored containers, to prevent remote detonation by the Reich. The Jagites didn't believe the technology within the Reich's ability but the suicide bombing of the Briskan diplomats had left as hell of an impression of the advanced technology the Reich was using.

Within five minutes the APC had arrived and armor, weapons, supply, and technological samples were loaded up into the vehicle before it rumbled off down the road. Knowledge was power and the Jagites were determined to gain that power.

-----
JGFS Supreme Verdict,
Southwestern Gholgoth

'I am not better than that,' replied the Matriarch calmly, 'We are not better than that. Jagada has long since been the plaything of fools and tyrants but that time is over Emperor Skragg. I will lead Jagada to its destiny of becoming a true Gothic Lord, or I will see this region burnt to ashes around me. Once this conflict is over and Briska has proven its loyalty to us then we will put this dirty matter behind us. Until then, Emperor, good luck and good killing.'

With that the link was cut. A few hours later the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the message from Tynsei and relayed it to the Commission and the Matriarch.

[Kahanistan]

Western Milograd

Corporal Mustafa Al-Hakeem's parachute dropped around him as he became the first Kahanistanian soldier to land on Gholgothic territory as part of an invasion force. He checked his K-3 Ghazi assault rifle, then went prone and dug in a foxhole. As soon as he was safely dug in, he radioed to some colonel aboard one of the E-10 early warning and command aircraft, that KDF ground troops had landed in Milograd. Mustafa's GPS was putting him about twenty kilometres south of Argyz, so he was on the other side of the city from the Skyan FOB. Shit. Around him, the rest of the first wave of paratroopers landed, armed with K-3 rifles with underslung L303 40mm grenade launchers and RPG-11's, rocket launchers specifically designed for use against the Phase 4 Sardaukar that the KDF had engaged several years earlier. K201 Wolverine APC's, fast-moving infantry transports mounting 30mm chainguns and with six 105mm missile bays capable of firing heavy anti-armour missiles or chemical weapons, would begin landing as soon as the KDF engineers could get a runway made... or sooner.

"Corporal Al-Hakeem, 331st Paratrooper Brigade, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Dalet Company, we're on the opposite side of Argyz from the Skyan FOB. KDF units will need vehicle support. Can you land?"

"Corporal, this is Supply Wing. We can attempt to take the strat lifters down over the wasteland, transmit the coordinates to your GPS, but it'll be a rough landing, pretty risky. No guarantee we'll be able to take off again. How bad do you need that artillery and air support?"

"Pretty bad, Colonel. We've got bupkis on heavy weapons if Kraven tanks appear, except the RPG's," replied Al-Hakeem.

"Deferring to your judgement on that one, Corporal... strat lifters inbound, ETA one minute, forty-six seconds. Good luck."

Mustafa crawled into his foxhole, knowing that it was only a matter of time before the enemy noticed him. He covered himself with vegetation he noticed a few human bones mixed in with and stuck his rifle out waiting for the enemy or his allies. The first strat lifter managed a successful landing near his position, and was releasing its complement of K201 Wolverine APC's and mobile 105mm artillery when the second strategic lifter exploded on landing, and the crew of the first strat lifter began donning full chemical warfare gear and warning the troopers of Dalet Company of the 3rd Battalion to do the same, and Mustafa was stunned.

"Lieutenant Azhar... why are we putting on gas gear for a plane blowing up?" he asked.

"The plane has Esh Dumanit on it," the lieutenant replied. Esh Dumanit - literally, "Doomani fire," was the Kahanistanian code name for a reverse engineered version of the infamous chemical weapon known in Parthia as Kuff-10 and in Doomanum as Pestis Dei. The binary shells contained compartments for water and chlorine triflouride. If the shells were damaged in a rough landing, as the ones in the second plane apparently had, the H2O and ClF3 could mix into deadly hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acids, highly corrosive to chemical warfare gear and reactive with metal. The KDF had re-engineered the weapon for use against Kraven chemical armour. Nobody had mentioned to Mustafa that chemical weapons were being brought into the battle.

Azhar pointed to the first plane. "That one has the same weapons. You might want to swap out your grenade launcher rounds and wait for mech infantry support. I've already radioed to the Skyans, they know we've at least landed on the other side of the town from their FOB, even if we don't know where the rest of the 331st is. Major Estevez, our pilot, is our CO until we make contact with a senior officer."

[Dephire]

Throne of the Phoenix Emperor
Temple of the Archangel
Holy City of Ghray, Briska

Fury. The emotion filled the man who sat upon the elegant throne of granite stone, cloth and cushion, and metal. His hands rested atop the pommels of two swords sheathed into the throne. Upon his lap lay the infamous sword, God's Bane, with its black blade seeming to radiate darkness from within, a sinister gleam from the light that saturated the room. Tristan Skragg returned to the his home with more questions than answers. He felt his diplomatic rendezvous with the Jagite people was a disaster. They are just as blood-crazed as our Kraven Brothers...

The man watched with scornful brow as his officials filed into the grand hall and were seated with haste. A gentle hand reached up and grasped his own, and his mood softened as he looked over to see Tynsei look up and smile at him. He grasped her hand. It relieved the troubled man that his beloved was in attendence, but everything was going to turn for the worst once the doors were shut. His realm was going to be brought into chaos and his motions for peace fell on the ears of those who sought to just spread war. He was given a choice, death by Kraven hands or death by Jagite hands. No one would win in either scenario. He ordered the immediate assembly of all officials, both political and military, so he can address his nation as a whole. He looked towards Tynsei once more and kissed her hand gingerly before letting go of her hand and standing up. He grasped the hilt of God's Bane with his right hand and took two steps towards his assembly. The crowd was silenced instantly, partly in fear of the emperor himself, but a large number knew what the ancient blade's presence at this assembly means.

"Lady's and gentlemen of the Empire," his voice boomed through the hall, "We have a decision to make that will write a new chapter in our history. My self-imposed mission to the Jag fleet was met with much disappointment. You see, the Jags have it stuck in their skulls that they will fight the Reich at every turn. They have begun a land assault in southern Milograd and are taking people from their homes and forcing them to integrate. The Reich has been exterminating the people. One tyrant fighting another, to tear Milograd asunder. I went aboard one of their vessels to ask with due kindness that they make peace with our Empire for we have done nothing to deserve the harsh judgment they bestowed upon us. Over one million proud, innocent Briskan people died because of some Jag leader's blood-lust. Their excuse? They accuse us of being guilty by just living next to the Reich. I reached out to them on a mission of peace and they thought me a war criminal!" The crowd was silent, but it was clear anger was starting to seep into those assembled.

"That is atrocious! Who dares call Tristan a war criminal? Especially after what he has done for us!" One woman shouted from the back of the room. A loud chorus of shouts showed her statement agreed well with many of the crowd. "To hell with the Jags!"

"This is why I have assembled all of you here, good lady. They gave a demand and said it was one that I could not refuse or else I would not 'leave the ship'. The Matriarch wishes for us to open a new front. A front that will oppose the Reich..." He held his head down. God's Bane was blade-down on the ground and he rested his hands and chin on the pommel. "I agreed to open a third front on the condition that once her war is over, she is to leave our realm at once." Again, there was silence among the assembly. Tristan watched everyone carefully as he spoke. "Tell me, good people, what do you wish from your Emperor?"

"We should destroy the Jag fleet!"

"Wipe out the Reich!"

"Avenge our fallen!"

"We shall avenge the fallen. First we shall remember them! Their names will be known to all. Those who fell by the mad matriarch's hand will be forever be mourned and remembered. The time will come for vengeance. However, at this time we need to go in and protect the innocent people of Milograd before those two destroy everything the people hold dear..."

"You are being too soft! The people will want your head for not demanding blood!"

"...Tonight we will make all pay the price for bringing us into this war."

"That's more like it!"

The cheers were deafening as Tristan received a standing ovation. Dephire was a land forged by the edge of this sword... Now, it will help forge a new era for Briska! Tristan sat down and dismissed the assembly.

Half an hour passed before the hundreds of people finally left Tristan and Tynsei alone, save for a dozen guards.

"What is the plan, love?" She leaned her head against his shoulder.

"We activate them." His tone was cold, sending a tingling sensation down her spine.

"Good," she leaned up and kissed his cheek, "Kill as many as you can for me." She smiled.

He kissed her lips softly, "I will, my love. They will burn for what they have done..."

War Council Chambers
Temple of the Archangel

"Colossus."

Only a few moments passed before an electronic voice came through the speakers, "Yes, my Emperor?" The voice was male and highly distorted.

"I want you to target this location. Relay the orders. I want a firewall between the Reich and Jags. Attack when I give the orders."

"Yes, sir..." The voice faded away.

"Emperor Tristan, are you intending to use what I think you are intending to use?"

"Yes.." Tristan stood over the table with his arms supporting him. He was looking over plans for an eastern counter-invasion.

"You have... Those..."

"Please, General, use your words." Tristan looked up at the man. The general appeared in his late fifties and wore high-prescription glasses, a rarity in Briskan society.

"What I mean, isn't that a little excessive?"

"Excessive... No. I intend to break through the surface and slow the advancement of both sides. We will create our own perimeter and enforce all lines with the God Slayers. Any unit that gets too close will be obliterated from the sky. Only people of Milograd my cross the line."

"I understand. The first objective is to secure the lands you indicated, correct?"

"Yes, General. The armadas were given orders already to snake up along the coastline until they reach the DMZ. From there, they will make a direct route towards east Milograd. We still have small compounds in the area. Once our troops are about to land, Colossus will wall off the large area to by us a few weeks to build. We make landfall in twelve hours! Dismissed!" Tristan watched as his generals left the room.

"Tristan, can I come in?" Tynsei appeared at the door after the last Godsend left.

"Of course, please come in." Tristan walked over briskly to his bride-to-be and ushered her in. "Just going over the plans with the Generals."

"I know... What of our plans?" She hugged him tightly.

"My dear, dear lady. You are already my wife by heart." He chuckled softly. "I have not forgotten my promise. We will have the ceremony tonight. Rumor has it a meteor shower is due." He winked to her and she smiled. "There is one matter I must take care of first. Where is he being held?"

Tynsei's smile wavered briefly, but she knew her soon-to-be-husband would only ask such a thing if it was not necessary. "He's in the dungeon awaiting transport to Jagada. The cell is cut off from any of this relay nonsense. We were able to only get from him that his relay is far different than that of any Kraven tech... Another story for a more appropriate time."

"Thank you, my darling, I won't be long." He hugged her tightly and proceeded to walk out the room. She tried moving in for a kiss and was taken back by him not seeing the hint.

"No kiss good-bye?" She tried her best to sound hurt.

He laughed and pulled her in and kissed her deeply, "My apologies, fair lady."

"Now go, I have to get ready for our wedding."

Thirty Minutes Later

The descent to the Temple's dungeon deep inside the mountain. Cold. Damp. The dungeons were no place for him to be in. A small battalion was guarding the only way into the prison cell when he arrived.

"Emperor! What brings you down to these halls?" The captain of the guard hailed Tristan.

"I need to speak with him."

The captain hestitated, at first, but stepped aside, "Open the chamber!" At his command, several hundred bolts simultaneously unlatched from within the massive five-foot thick lead and stone door. Deep within, bound by heavy chains sat the one man Tristan had questions for.

"Hello, Tristan." His voice was hauntingly menacing, but Wilhelm had always been a fearsome man. "How kind of you to join me."

"Wilhelm, while I am saddened that you chose to betray me, I must request one final act from you... One final show of your loyalty to me."

"Loyalty? What a truly meaningless word coming from you."

"I am not the one who cost us one million lives, Wilhelm."

"You knew all along my condition, Tristan. Yet you chose to allow me to live."

"I need you, Wilhelm. One final campaign for the great Lord Wilhelm!"

The prisoner thought hard about the offer. His mind sealed from the influence of the signal, he was able to think for himself. The man finally looked up and saw Tristan's face for the first time with his own eyes, "I will do as you command of me, Lord Emperor of Briska."

"Good. Call upon your legions. I need them in Milograd by tomorrow morning." He turned to the captain, "Release him."

"My lord... By releasing me, you do realize there may be repercussions, right?" Wilhelm's chains fell off and he stood up on his own.

"I am not sure what you mean, Wilhelm. The reports I received stated that you escaped Briskan custody through wits of mind and strength of body." Tristan smiled darkly, "Oh, and a pistol..." He tossed the man a Hellion revolver. "Happy hunting."

Five Hours Later...

"God Slayer Orbital Strike Cannons in position..." Colossus reported to Ki'lan, Marshal of the Seas and Commander of the Pilar of the West.

"Thank you, Colossus. Be prepared to fire on my mark!" Ki'lan responded. Over the past several hours, all ships within both the Briskan and Templar armadas combined forces and were on their way to eastern Milograd. Tens of thousands of landing craft were already speeding their way towards the shores. Another couple thousand aircraft were awaiting to drop paratroopers overhead. It was nearing the hour of the great invasion of Milograd. They only awaited the signal...

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Tynsei Domrea, Interim Grand Master of the Templar Order and the Grand Admiral of the Templar Armada, chose a most peculiar wedding dress. As she walked through the golden doors of the throne room, it was obvious that her rebellious flair was causing quite the stir. Instead of a dress, she wore her Grand Admiral dress uniform, complete with cape and sword sheathed at the hip. Her lips were of black lipstick and her black hair was put up in an elegantly fashioned bun. Normally she hated having her hair fashioned in any other way from the usual straight hair, but she felt it was needing some dazzle for the audience. Tristan entered the room at the opposite side. His attire was crimson and gold with a large phoenix embroidered on the front of his chest plate and on the back of his cape. Atop his head was a crown made of gold, formed into the likeness of a phoenix with wings embracing his head. The two met at the center of the room where a woman stood. She had no true title, but was concerned a true matriarch of the Temple.

"Emperor Tristan Skragg, do you undertake this woman..."

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Wilhelm was sitting in one of the thousands of landing craft as it hit the shores of Milograd. His personal army was difficult to see while under cover of darkness. The Hell Knights were pushing towards one of the strongholds the Templars left behind when war touched these shores during the first Kraven Invasion. Fortress of the Light would be the Briskan's command center during their operations.

"Move out! Take that fortress!" Wilhelm ordered his legion, and they moved out. Tens of thousands landed in the first few minutes, millions would be landing over the next few weeks.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"Yes, I take this woman, Tynsei Domrea, under my house. To be made of my kin. Forever and into eternity." Tristan spoke the words with sincere kindness and smiled to his bride.

The lady turned to Tynsei, without her expression changing, she spoke, "... and Tynsei Domrea, do you acknowledge what has been presented before you. That you are to be kin of the Skragg Household and wife to Lord Emperor Tristan Skragg, for all to bear witness?"

Tynsei was slightly taken back by how the matron spoke, clearly this was not really what she had pictured when it came to a wedding. "Fuck yeah I understand and acknowledge!" She said in reply, but was a little late to pull back what she just shouted to the audience and in front of the matron. "Sorry, just a little excited." She whispered.

The matron smiled, "No worries, deary." She whispered. "Please, take your seats." Tristan and Tynsei sat upon the thrones. A golden ribbon was produced from a box. "This ribbon signifies the new bond between the two of you. Through it, you will be bound by material means!" The matron took out a double-sided dagger and sliced Tristan's and Tynsei's palms, then bound their hands together. "The blood will signify the joining of family and the passage of the bloodline." A man carrying a small wooden box walked up to the matron. She opened it and produced a small crown. "By recognition of the Templar Order and the Empire of Briska. By order of Emperor Tristan Skragg and the will of the Briskan people... I bestow upon you, Tynsei Skragg, the Crown of the Empress!" The matron placed the crown on Tynsei's head.

"All Hail Emperor Skragg! All Hail Empress Skragg!"

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"Congratulations, Tristan." Wilhelm laughed as his horde broke through the fortress' defenses and took it back from the locals. "Quickly! We must establish this as the command center so when the main force arrives we will then be ready!" He picked up a radio, "Ki'lan, we are in position! Do we have the signal?"

"Acknowledged. Wilhelm, tell your men to hit the decks. God Slayers are firing!"

"Wait, God Sla-"

Streaks of light flashed all along the horizon followed shortly by bursts from concussive waves. Clouds of fire burst from the impact sites, engulfing all within a mile of each beam...

The God Slayer Orbital Cannon, a kinetic rod delivery system of deadly proportions. Hundreds of the satellites had been built over the past few decades and now they were concentrated over the small section of Milograd that Briska was going to claim for a refugee-state. Tynsei's declaration as Empress was the trigger. Several hundred rods were immediately sent down and carved out a large portion of eastern Milograd. From there, the rest of the rods made their way to crack through the crust westward, effectively dividing the nation in half for a few hundred miles. The intention was not to stop the invasion of Jagadite forces, nor to stop the extermination caused by the Kraven forces, but to start a new front entirely... One to liberate Milograd from tyrants once and for all.

OOC:

Guys, I am so sorry this did not turn out as well as I had planned. Exhaustion kicked in near the end so I kinda sped things up. Please forgive me!

[Havensky]

H.R.A. Guardian
Above Western Milograd
Gholgoth

The two deck bridge of the Skyan Armada flagship was dimly lit. Most of the light in the room coming from various blue colored screens and instruments giving everything on the bridge a blueish hue. It would get brighter once the sun came out, but these were dark days in Gholgoth. On the lower level of the bridge right in the center was a large round table with a large screen showing the area around Agyrz with various icons showing allied and enemy locations.

Various crew members were walking to and for checking the monitors, radars, and images from spacecraft and scout drones for the latest intelligence. The bridge was quiet save for the various beeping of monitors and radio traffic transmissions.

A stocky man in a jet black Armada uniform with four stars on his collar stood at one end of the round table with a handheld radio communicator in his hand. He had been listening to various radio traffic as the Legion had deployed.

Dalet Actual, Armada Actual: If you don't mind, I'd like to drop one of my heavy infantry companies on your right flank and a tank company on your left. Mobile Artillery will drop to your rear.

Sky Marshal Markus Titan had heard the Kahanistani transmission and decided that it would be better to simply deploy the 5th BCT on top of Dalet company's position. With the deployment of the 45th BCT in the west, the allies would surround the city and make it difficult for Kraven forces to send reinforcements into the city. That would also leave the rest of the Kahanistai's 331st unit as a rapid response force.

Titan could hear a small sigh of relief on the radio.

Acknowledged Armada Actual - we could use the company

Good copy - ETA 2 mikes - Armada OUT

Titan clicked off the mic and tapped a few locations on his command screen. He reactivated the communicator.

Rattlesnake, Armada Actual - I've sent your pilots new coordinates. Deploy when ready. Be advised Longhorn has begun operations against the airport and the Wildcats are working their way in the western part of the city.

20 km south of Agryz, Milograd
Gholgoth

Several whale shaped airships broke through the cloud cover above Agryz escorted by a dozens dagger shaped escort craft and several squadrons of combat drones. The drones flew over the position of the Dalet company and performed a barrel roll.

The 5th BCT would perform a rolling deployment. The whale shaped logistical airships flew just a few feet above the earth. The rear doors opened up and several Bearkat Fighting Vehicles rolled off the rear deck. As soon as the grey camouflaged armored vehicles hit the dirt, their drivers gunned it. They moved into an arrow formation with their turrets spinning around searching for any possible foes. Twin boxes on each side of the turret were adorned with a rattlesnake circles around a large 5. Each box held two fire-and-forget anti-tank missiles that would enable the unit to deal with armored vehicles the allies might encounter.

On the other side of Dalet company, the scene was repeated with tanks being rolled off the large airships instead of the infantry combat vehicles. Skyan forces didn't expect to need the tanks to take the city. Skyan drones had been making food drops in the city for the last 48 hours with messages to the residents that they were coming to help evacuate them.

As soon as everyone had landed, the Legion began moving forward towards the city.

Argyz International Airport, Milograd

North of the city, Colonel Bexar's Longhorns were barrelling down the cold barren plains towards their first objective. With the breakdown of law and order, the airport had fallen into disuse and disrepair. However, it was far from empty.

As the first squadron of drones flew overhead, several anti-air missiles fired off in hot pursuit. The drones broke into evasive maneuvers.

Bexar watched the missiles fly up from the hatch of his command track. He keyed his mic up.

Longhorn 3, Longhorn 6 - Laze those anti-aircraft positions and bring down one round each.

A few hundred meters away, the third Bearkat Fighting Vehicle raised on of the boxes on it's side turret. Bearkat 3 was an artillery scout track which had sacrificed missile launchers in favor of a range finder. It quickly radioed back coordinates to the mobile artillery tracks a few miles back and within a few moments a high explosive round came down on the Kraven anti-air units.

Longhorn 6, direct hit on all targets

Good copy

The combat drones made another run and this time no missiles fired after them. Bexar didn't really belive that they were all gone. Kraven's troops may have just been quick studies. They would have to clear them out the hard way.

After an hour of fighting, the runways and hangars were cleared. Bexar's group of Bearkat Fighting Vehicles pulled into the taxi area of the terminal complex. The tracks stopped, spun around, and dropped their rear hatches. Several dozen Legionaries rushed out and began to stack up against the entryway. Bexar stayed in his track to issue some last minute commands.

3rd and 4th platoons - prepare for a defense of the incoming roads. 5th platoon, clear and area for the Engineers to start repairs on the larger runways. 1st and 2nd platoons are with me and will clear the terminals.

Western Agyrz, Milograd

In the western neighborhoods of the capital city, teams of Legionaries were clearing buildings. Every civilian they encountered was given food and water along with instructions on how to evacuate once the humanitarian airships arrived. Kraven units were given guts full of lead.

Resistance had been light, but the work had been tedious. The bulk of Kraven's forces were on the eastern side of Milograd with the advance troops in Agryz mainly here to terrorize the populace. Since they were deployed in small fire teams they could easily hide from the main force and pop back out to cause trouble.

Lieutenant Tony Dike had just finished clearing one building and was stacking up against another when he got an urgent priority call.

HRA Guardian

Sky Marshal Titus looked over at his comms officer again, What did you just say?

The comms officer looked at her screen again, Message reads: In one minute, hit the deck. Sir, I've verified it's source - it's definitely the Briskans.

Titus cursed and picked up the communicator, ALL GROUND TROOPS - HIT THE DECK! INCOMING!

Titus and the rest of the bridge crew all looked at the radar screen to see what would happened next. And at the exact moment the Briskans had warned streaks of light appeared out in the distance. Warning sirens began to blare as the orbital strike weapons penetrated the atmosphere.

Captain Lisa Nyx, the airship's XO studied the screen, By the sky, there must be hundreds of them - Jackson! Any allies in the danger path? Civilians?

Negative ma'am! Projected paths shows no discernible targets - they seemed to be targeting... a straight line?.

Titus and Nyx exchanged puzzled glances as the rods fell.

Argyz International Airport, Milograd

When the order to take cover came, Bexar was clearing what had been a resturant area of the terminal. The area had long since been picked cleaned by looters. Ads adorning the walls had long since faded and dirt and dust were everywhere.

Since the order had gone out on all channels, all Bexar had to do was find cover. He moved against the wall and brought out his shield. He had been expecting fire from above in the form of shells or missiles or worse.

What he hadn't expected was an earthquake, which would be a new experience for him. The ground shook with lights and tiles falling from the ceiling. Tables and chairs vibrated out of place and large panes from the glass ceiling shattered as the building shifted.

What in God's name was going on?

[Havensky]

Stars and Signals Command
Havensky High Command Meeting
Havensky,Texas

The High Council was silent as the satellites streamed back the images coming from Milograd. An entire continent torn into two pieces.

High Executor Vincent Profecta broke the silence with a short prayer, then turned to the rest of the group.

Damage report?

Sky Marshal Titan, speaking through the video screen spoke.

All Skyan and Kahanistani forces report minimal casualties from the resulting earthquake. There's little information on civilian causalities among the breach but it seems as though the Briskan's cut through the least populated areas of the continent. Their attack seemed less about the destruction of targets and more about putting a great big fiery wall between the Jagada and Kraven forces.

Less concerned about destruction? They just cracked the surface of Mother Earth!, shouted the Prime Minister.

She threw her hands up in the air, Ya'll do what you will. There's no way that the Skyan Senate is going to be OK with aligning ourselves with those batshit insane enough to crack the surface of the Earth.

We haven't located Tycho yet nor have we finished the evacuation of Milograd., replied Jessica Heart through her own video terminal. Jessica was still aboard Zeta One preparing to tap into the Kraven relay network for more information.

You think I don't realize that? I'm know we can't drop everything, but do you understand how insane this is? Jagada gets hit with a bombing, they commence orbital bombardment on Briska. Briska sues for peace, Jagada demands they turn against the Reich. Briska agrees and tears a hole in the Earth. And that's covering what the GOOD GUYS ARE DOING! That's not even discussing the crazy shit that Kraven's probably planning as a counterattack.

The King raised a hand for calm, Despite these extreme measures, I see the logic in the young Emperor Skragg. He fulfills his promise to Jagada by opening the third front, but doing so in a manner that won't be seen as joining forces with Jagada. And with the large numbers of invaders he has pouring into Milograd, he's now clearly the pivot point in the war. He had no cards before this, now he hold quite the hand.

The High Council looked at the King in silence.

So what's next? I've still got my troops clearing out and evacuating Agyrz., asked Titan.

Well, first we congratulate the Skragg's on their wedding., replied the King.

Prime Minister Artemis rose up and pounded the table, Say WHAT? They just-

It's only polite - then we'll send Ironwing to Briska to see if we can calm things down a bit.

This time it was Jessica that protested, My husband has just been blown up, he should be going HOME

It's my understanding that the HRA Hope is picking him up now. He'll get the best care on board. Ironwing is still our best chance at negotiations in Gholgoth. Besides, with the recent damage in Briska it wouldn't hurt to deploy an additional hospital airship to the area.

Discussions continued, but the orders would adhere to the King's vision. Messages were sent out to Briska offering the use of the Hope and requesting a meeting with the Briskan government.

Kraven Deathship, Skyan Designation Zeta One
Hidden City Port, Havensky

Lady Jessica Heart was not pleased that her husband had not been ordered home despite the logic. In the meantime, she walked into the "Empath Chamber" where the Kraven relay booster was held. Her staff had been de-kravenizeing the names of everything to make it sound less scary. It sounded silly, but the idea did seem to have some merit to it.

Edwige joined her as she set herself in the chair again. If she was going to go into the relay network and find Tycho, then this would be the perfect time. With forces invading Milograd from all sides and in the aftermath of the Briskan's attack the relay network would be distracted.

Jessica closed her eyes as she connected to the relay, and when she opened them back up she could hear the many voices of the Kraven Reich.

There was a lot of yelling, so many voices... She could hear reports of damage from various executioner squads that had been near the strike zone. And anger!! Briska had acted unexpectedly.

She listened more closely, trying to find someone that was off. Someone resisting.. Someone...

...in pain! She focused on the voice... was this Dimitri... or Wilhelm? No, this was different... This voice was drenched with guilt even as he repeated the commands from the relay.

She spoke to the voice through the relay.

Capitol Police Trooper! Identify!

Confusion... hesitation..

Capitol Police Trooper! Identify!

Designation.. Tycho Onyx...

She had found him! Now to pin down his location and to wake him.

Tycho Onyx, what are your coordinates?

Mindlessly, she heard Tycho rattle off coordinates.. She repeated them and Edwidge rushed to the commo center to relay the new information to High Command.

Now for the hard part.

Tycho Onyx.. You need to wake up.. You've been captured by the Kraven Reich... You are a member of the Skyan Legion... You are a good man Tycho Oynx... wake up Tycho... wake up...

More confusion... Through Tycho's relay she could hear the Capitol Police troopers near Tycho question him. Who was he talking to? What was he doing? Why was he not continuing to exterminate the civilian population as he was ordered to.

* * * * *

Gogondo, Milograd
Gholgoth

Half a world away, Tycho Onyx felt his head aching... threatening to split in two.

The Capitol Police had stopped in their tracks. They approached Tycho.

Remember who you are Tycho! Remember!

Tycho tried to shake it off, but as he did he was flooded with the memories of those he had killed and burned in cold blood. Memories of the beatings. Memories of the torture. Memories... Memories... Memories.

The lead Capitol Police Trooper raised his nightstick to strike at Tycho.

No...

Tycho grabbed the nightstick with his right metalic hand and stopped it cold. He lunged at the throat of the trooper and squeezed. The neck snapped. Tycho's arms had been replaced and he had forgotten about it's new strength. Memories... Memories...Memories...

Why had he killed all those people... what point was this.. why why why why!?!

Tycho... remember who you are... remember the good man you are!

He had been a good man, but that before... before awoke to a world where he couldn't tell the difference between reality and his nightmares... before... before the Capitol Police trooper raised his machine gun.

Tycho quickly drew his weapon and fired sending a stream of hot white flame towards the trooper. The trooper fell back, but not before others began to make their way towards him.

Burning... That was the only way to know... the only way to know is if everything was burning... burning burning. The Kravens would pay for their sins...in FIRE.

He pointed the flamethrower at the next trooper, but no flame was lit. The relay had turned off the flamethrower. However, so twisted was Tycho's mind that he didn't realize this. His whole focus and force of will was ablaze with the thought of burning. Everything burning!

FOCUS TYCHO! FOCUS!

Tycho screamed out into the darkness, BURN!!!!!

The Capitol Police dropped to their knees... their hand rushing to their face.. No physical flames were present, but in their minds they were burning up from the inside. They tried to pull their masks off.

Tycho pulled out his sidearm raised it and fired a single shot into each of their skulls. He picked up the machine gun and walked away... his mind and lips still uttering..

Everything. Everything will burn.

Tycho, please...focus back... return to your senses... let go of your rage

He looked around desperately for the source of the voice. Engaged, he yelled at the dark sky.

GET OUT OF MY HEAD!

Kraven Deathship, Skyan Designation Zeta One
Hidden City Port, Havensky

Jessica!, yelled Edwige.

Jessica was thrashing in the chair with her arms growing a bright red. Burns began to form on her hands..

Edwige placed her hands in Jessica's head and whispered in her ear trying to bring her back to reality. She tried to keep her voice calm and soothing. She turned away.

MEDIC!

Edwige kept at it and after a few excruciating moments, Jessica disconnected. She quickly pulled the datajacks out of her temples.

Jessica tried to catch her breath, I've lost him.... He's too far gone... I can't reach him...

OCC:

For new readers, some clarification: Jessica's relay allows for empathic abilities to any other unit attached to the relay. This works by Jessica forcing her will upon the target unit. This is why she can force answers out of people. Tycho's ability is more limited. He is forcing his will (which is to burn) upon the target unit. The targets do not catch fire, but rather *think* they are on fire. The mind is a powerful weapon. This only works on people with a relay.

[Kahanistan]

Western Milograd

"Bright Angel, this is Eagle Wing One, reporting sat-int on massive seismic activity all across Milograd. Recommend contacting ground forces for status update."

"Roger wilco, Eagle Wing One. Will open secure comm immediately. Bright Angel out." General Sklenova contacted Brigadier General Hussein al-Kaber, commander of the 331st Paratrooper Brigade. "General Al-Kaber, E-10 tells us their computer got satellite intelligence of a massive earthquake. What is the status of your brigade?"

"Not good," replied the paratrooper commander. "I'm dug in a foxhole at the beach, ten klicks south of Argyz. The three thirty first's scattered all over Hell's half acre, in squads and platoons. Most of them landed south of the city of Argyz, but I'm getting comm chatter that indicates about three platoons landed inside the city itself. Poor bastards. Hope they last long enough for us or our allies to make it into the city in force."

Crap. A hundred and fifty paratroopers trapped in Argyz, probably chock full of Capitol Police Extermination Battalions. "Will request assistance from our allies," the general said.

[Dephire]

Private Quarters of Tristan and Tynsei
Temple of the Archangel
Holy City of Ghray

"They did what?" Tristan was being informed over the phone about the aftermath from the God Slayers strike. "What of casualties?"

"None reported so far, Emperor. The strike path was aimed towards non-populated to very low populated areas. Current damage estimates have included buildings being shaken up, many with foundation instability, but this was also reported in the low populated areas." The voice said over the phone. "This is the first time the God Slayers have ever been used or tested. The results, thankfully, were not worse."

"Thankfully," Tristan sighed deeply. The God Slayer Initiative was put into motion long ago during Jason Rhinestaff's reign. Initially, the orbital weapon platforms were to be a early warning array, but as the satellites were being deployed, Rhinestaff ordered them be fitted with rail guns. Several generations later, the God Slayers were fitted with a hybrid kinetic rod delivery system that allowed the satellites accelerate the rods before they entered the atmosphere. None were ever used, however, during the decades being in space. They were utilized, instead, for their original intent as reconnaissance satellites. Tristan knew the history of these weapons, but never could have imaged they would cause such destruction. He glanced at a tablet that displayed the new cartography of Milograd. Large fractures in the terrain could be seen, cutting off an area roughly one-tenth of the total land mass. One solitary fault line was seen outstretched from the carved out land towards the west. However, instead of the three hundred miles that was intended, the fault continued for another two hundred miles afterwards. "The Havensky forces will not be too happy about this. Damn, I only wanted to create a visual line for them not to cross. Not this..."

"Darling, do not worry about it too much about what happened. You had no idea just how powerful those weapons would be. No one could have. Even if there were a scientist that could estimate their destructive might, they have long since been dead. It will not be easy to move past this point, but we will move on together." Tynsei held her husband by the waist from behind. "If anything, you showed those beasts not to question our power."

Tristan smiled and powered off the tablet, "This is true. Now that we possess the power of the World-Breakers, there will be a greater hesitation from our foes before they try to attack us. I want our nation to be respected, not necessarily feared."

"Fear is respect, darling." Tynsei whispered. "That is how the Gothic Lords rule."

"She has a point, Tristan. Just accept what you truly are inside." The demon whispered to him.

"Silence, demon..."

OOC:

Just a quick post... Might add to later in an edit or post again. Let me know if I need to edit anything.

[Havensky]

Agyrz International Airport
Agyrz, Milograd

The last of the women and children from the refugee groups boarded the large white whale-shaped airship. The cargo door began to close and the engines started up.

A ground crew member gave the pilot a signal and the airship began to rise. A blue glow emitted from the four engines on the bottom of the airship blowing dust across the airstrip. The airship continued to rise, breaking through the dark clouds joining dozens of other airships flying high above the capital city. Combat drones flew in formation between them.

The airships began to move out under heavy escort to bring the refugees to safer shores.

On the ground, Colonel Bexar watched the airship disappear from the window of the one of the terminals that the Skyan Armada was using as a headquarters. Once it was gone, he walked to Gate 3A. They had converted it into a briefing room. It had been several hours since the Skyan Legion and Kahanistani forces had taken the city. It hadn't been without cost, but the city was now a safe haven from the wretched war Kraven now threatened the populace with.

Bexar has quickly worked to get the airport open so that aid and support could come in and refugees could fly out. He had also sent engineering crews to get the seaport working. The trouble was that the city was open to counterattack. Kraven could send a resource fleet around the continent and invade from the sea. Or, Kraven could rain down VTOL's on the city. Actually, Bexar would prefer to face the Reich by air - that would be a fair fight.

But, in all likelihood, Kraven would probably just swing a fleet around and simply shell the city was leveled.

Bexar thought grimly about the state of Agyrz. Torn up by the previous war, starving to death, with most of the buildings lacking any sort of maintenance at all. The city desperately needed defenses and shelters. Let Kraven's shells fall. The airships just needed a patch of flatland. It's the people they needed to keep safe until they could all evacuate.

Which brought Bexar to the large gathering at the terminal. Milogradian civilians, all able-bodied men, whose families had just been flown to safety.

Bexar walked up to the podium. His power armor, painted in blue-grey camouflage print that matched the darkness of the Gholgoth landscape, was almost garish against the plain tappings of the older airport. He took off his helmet so the crowd could see his blue eyes and graying short cropped hair.

The crowd quieted down as he took the podium.

"Gentleman, my name is Colonel Richard Bexar. I am the commanding officer of the 8th Heavy Infantry Brigade Combat Team under the command of High Admiral Markus Titan of the Skybound Republic of Havensky Airship Armada."

Bexar paused a moment as he knew that the would cause somewhat of a stir.The Skyans didn't exactly have a long history in the region other than the wars with Kraven.

"As you know, the Kraven Reich is invading the eastern coast of your nation. They are using rail mounted artillery manned by slaves. They are taking women and turning them into factories to create more Capitol Police Troopers. They have, until a few hours ago, deployed roaming squads of men with flamethrowers to in this very city to execute civilians. To execute you.

You may be wondering, what we are doing here. The answer is simple. We are here to take all those who wish to leave away from danger. You knew that. Your families are now on their way to safer shores. Our intention is to safe everyone.

But this will take time... So we have made Argyz a haven against the darkness. We will provide food and shelter until we get everyone out. However, this city is hard to defend. And if Kraven counterattacks, there will be little we can do to hold them back on our own.

Jagada has solved this problem by conscripting every able bodied man to fight against the Kraven horde. That is there way. I don't believe in that. You are untrained. Weak from hunger. You'd do us no good at all.

Bexar waited for dissenting looks, for aggravation, for the wounded pride. Sure enough young man raised his first and shouted.

"HEY! WE WANT TO FIGHT!"

Bexar nodded, Good. Good! It's good to have that spirit for there are difficult times ahead. But don't think that I am content to throw you into the slaughter. This city needs more than cannon fodder - we need to build!. We need shelters, fortifications, sandbags, and barriers built. You want to defend this city? Grab a hammer. You want to leave the others to their fate? Take a seat - the next airship will be here soon.

There was a spattering of talk among the men, but Bexar was already leaving the podium.

If you're coming, follow me - we've got work to do.

[Havensky]

Mt. Silver, Milograd
Gholgoth

Everything must burn, remarked Tycho Onyx as he pulled the trigger of his flame thrower. The two Capitol Police Troopers now smoldering underneath his constant fury.

Tycho, unable to tell between his nightmare and his reality, had found a single truth. By destroying everything, he ensured that nothing would hurt him ever again. His mind, warped by months of torture and the influence of the Kraven relay, continued to struggle to stay clear and in control.

Everything would burn. He would punish everyone who had tried to control him. He was finished with kindness.

He finished burning the troopers and grabbed their bayonets. He placed them in the makeshift holsters in his jackboots. He then continued his walk up the mountain.

He turned around, hearing the distinct sound of two Kraven VTOLs flying in his direction. In an instant, his mind and body were full of fury.

"Why can't you just leave...me...ALONE!"

He raised his hands and spoke with his mind and his voice.

BURN!!!!!!

He could feel the pain of the pilots and the troopers inside the craft... he could feel hear their transmissions to home base. Fire aboard the vessel! Tycho spoke again - his mind penetrating the relay and causing their own hallucinations - those on board the VTOL craft convinced that they were on fire.

BURN!!!!!!

The VTOLs lost control and one crashed into the other. Damaged, they spun out of control and hit the side of the mountain. The wreckage littered the side of the mountain. Tycho walked up to the wreckage and shot the bodies.

Nobody lives.

He heard another sound behind him. The low pitched whir of a different craft. He turned and in the distance he spotted them.

Skyan helijets.

Tycho looked up and gave them a promise.

"You'll burn too!

[Kahanistan]

Western Milograd

Brigadier General Hussein al-Kaber waited as hundreds more Kahanistanian soldiers found his position over the past twelve hours he'd been in his foxhole. There were still many units scattered within a fifty-kilometre radius of Argyz, and it would be another hour or more before he knew where the majority of his troops were. He continued to dig in at his position ten klicks south of the city, and set up a radio beacon to let civilians know they could approach the Kahanistanian position.

A group of civilians approached the KDF lines. They had to be fleeing the Kraven advance, but something seemed off. The Brigadier had been convinced that Argyz was completely depopulated and swarming with Capitol Police. He wasn't getting anything from the platoons that had landed in the city but comm chatter mixed with gunfire. They'd gone dark. It could mean they'd been wiped out, or it could mean they were under radio silence, hiding from their enemy and setting up ambushes. So where in Gehenna were these civilians coming from? No matter, procedure was to offer arms to those civilians who wanted to fight, and refuge to those who would not. The Jagites would probably be furious with him, but he neither knew nor would he have cared.

He radioed to Stars and Signals Command. "This is Kahanistanian ground FOB," he said. Some FOB - foxholes surrounded by sandbags and guarded by hidden snipers or machine gunners, where command staff could be reasonably secured until a proper prefabricated facility could be set up or they could clear out enough of Argyz to make it a free city again. But it was good for morale. "KDF ground FOB reporting a group of civvies coming in near our position, looks like about fifty of them. We might need some backup to help us process them, right now we're still finding our troops. I think we have about a hundred and fifty of them trapped in Argyz itself. They've gone dark. I thought the place was overrun with Capitol Police. If you find any KDF stragglers, return them here. They probably won't be deserters, just got lost in the paradrops."

[Jagada]

Eastern Jagite Command
Liujian, Milograd
+15 minutes from the Cracking of Milograd

'What the fuck was that?' screamed First Marshall Imrich Ciernik as earth shook with the force of an angry god. The Jagite Eastern Army Group had advanced as far Liujian and had begun crossing the Liujian River just before molten fire rained down from the sky. It didn't take long for the Jagites to realize what had hit the continent, they had been tracking the Briskan and Templar Fleets for days, ever since the conclusion of the peace onboard the JGFS Supreme Verdict. It was done not just to ensure compliance but precisely because the Matriarch did not expect Tristan to uphold his end of the bargain. She'd ordered the death of over a million of his people using kinetic rods, she was lucky his visit onboard the carrier hadn't been a stalling effort to destroy half the Matriarchy in glorious molten fire. Lord Marshall Mari had delayed approving Imrich to cross the river and advance on the city of Tsyvibul precisely because the Matriarch had sent down the command to not attack the Briskans.

Within Jagada the merging of the two fleets had caused an instant alarm since the ideal was that Tristan would take the much easier road and invade the Reich on the Fortress Continent where he was strongest and Kraven would be required to withdrawal resources from Milograd to stop him, or at the very least severely weaken their supply lines. That presumption proved both premature and wrong as the Briskans seemed intent on invading Milograd for their own purposes. Still the Matriarch had denied the Lord Marshall her plans to rapidly cross the Liujiian River and sweep to the coast to contest the landing, or at least turn the area into a killing field to delay the Briskans, who Mari believed were only invading to assist the Reich. When the Briskans hit the beaches and began a full-scale invasion of Milograd, the situation changed. The Matriarch did not believe them to be holding up their end of the bargain since their invasion came at the edge of the Reich-Matriarchy conflict, just as their armies were approaching. They would intervene and stop the fighting or they could pick a side at random and roll up the defenses of the other. Jagada had come too far, dedicated too much blood and material to be deceived now.

That was when the Eastern Army Group began work to cross the river and contest the Briskans. Then molten metal fell from the sky and world ended in flame for hundreds of Jagites who were caught along the fault line of the God-Slayers. They never had a chance and entire regiments simply ceased to exist in a matter of seconds, their personal obliterated.

'How many did we lose dammit,' bellowed Imrich as he paced across the underground bunker in Liuijian, surveying the damage via the reminaing satellite images, the Kraven long-range artillery bombardment was giving them hell keeping cameras up. The lucky thing was the artillery was hitting strategic, not tactical points, and thus the troops had been relatively unharmed by the assault. Not to mention even the Reich must be wondering what their erstwhile allies were doing invading their new slave-state.

'Hundreds, sir,' screamed a communications officer as his pen rushed across paper, taking down the rough number of losses each unit was reporting back to him. Dozens of personnel were streaming around Imrich as the intensity of the moment grew to a fever pitch with commanders all along the front line asking for orders and officers around him yelling for order and answers. All under the whine and boom of Reich artillery. It was closest thing Imrich had ever seen to a madhouse.

'First Marshall Imrich,' said a deep, snake-like voice which emanated from every speaker in the room.

Imrich's blood froze ... how the fuck? 'Y-yes Matriarch ma'am?'

'Briska has spilt Jagite blood in this little show?'

'Yes ma'am, reports are reaching into the hundreds. They've attempted to put a literal firewall between us and Kraven, it appears they are also setting up positions to claim a piece of Milograd for themselves.'

'Unacceptable,' she said with icy calm, 'Imrich. Murder the Briskans for this.'

'Yes m'lady,' replied Imrich still unable to understand how the hell the Matriarch even had access to his communications network.

The general order went out that Jagada and Briska were back at war once again, whatever peace had scrapted together by Tristan and Ottar was finished as Jagite blood was spilled once again and more would be spilled in this further misunderstanding. Eastern Command, however, in disarray as the city of Tsyvibul had been more or less ripped in half by the kinetic salvo and Jagite units were scattered across the city trying to reorganize. Imrich didn't have much at his offensive hand at the moment so ordered a defensive stance to take place along the Liujian River and the city of Tsyvibul itself as he assessed the situation.

BOOM!

All the while the Reich's artillery battered against the city of Liujian as the war for Milograd's soul became even more insane.

---
Disciplinary Camp Beta-44,
Somewhere in Southern Milograd
+10 hours from the Cracking of Milograd

Discipline-Master Bazyli Miazga walked up and down the line of Milogradians standing before him, men ranging from the ages of sixteen all the way to forty-five. They were a haggled people with hallow eyes and strained minds. They had lived for decades under the oppressive rule of their former tyrants and now fought for their very right to free existence against Kraven, Briska, and whoever else decided to invade Milograd. Now they had the astute honor of serving him and becoming something more than cattle for petty tyrants and dictators. They could grasp their freedom and they would. Freedom or death were their only options and there would be no stragglers in this war for Milograd's soul.

He walked up and down the line in his drab grey uniform with no medals or jewels showing him to be anything important. It was how Bazyli carried himself that imposed fear for he wasn't a glorified physical trainer. No he was so much more and he knew it. While the politicians and fools back in Svedal may only rank him as a 'teacher' of sorts he knew he would be the savoir of Milograd and these men before him would be the finest in all of their kind.

'I am Discipline-Master Bazyli Miazga of the Glorious Matriarchy of Jagada,' he bellowed as he walked down the line, 'And I am here to save you asses. Your thanks is not necessary as I see it an honor to lift your pathetic cattle from your sorry state of existence and permit you to embrace the freedom and dignity that my people enjoy each and every day.'

As he walked he heard one of the men snicker ever so quietly and his head snapped around, his eyes alight with hatred and fury.

'Do not think to mock me,' he bellowed, as his eyes reached each of theirs, some refused and kept them forward, the more stupid or ornery ones looked him dead in the eye, 'Do you know what has befallen your people to the north? Do you not hear the whine of the Reich's artillery shells as they destroy my brothers in arms!?'

The men seemed to straight a little more at the mention of the Reich. Capitalist, socialist, democrat or autocrat, no one was aligned with Kraven willing except for Gothic Lords and that had more to do with Dreadfire wanting to keep an eye on them than anything else. These 'recruits' had all been shown the pictures of what the Reich was doing to their brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, in the north and Bazyli had insisted that each night a new batch of images was displayed on every wall. This had the potential to break their morale but he needed to destroy who they were and leave naught but hatred and malice in its wake. To beat Kraven, you had to become them -- and pray they didn't beat you with experience.

Bazyli continued his pacing up and down the unit - his unit. They were to be given the designation 21st Native Auxiliary and were scheduled to deploy to the front lines as apart of Order 45 to reinforce the Jagite positions and to fight for their homeland against the Reich, and they were suppose to deploy in less than a month.

'This war is not Jagada's war,' he continued to scream, now that he had their attention, 'This is your war! The fate of your people is in your hands, for I promise you that we will not let your willingly go into slavery. We stand with you as you wage this war, we die alongside you! Do not let the deaths of my kinfolk be in vain trying to save your worthless asses!'

The men were stock still now, this was the first time Bazyli had been allowed to meet them. He looked around the drab, camouflaged camp located deep within Milograd's southern reaches, specifically to put it outside of the range of the artillery and then, if that failed, to keep them so hidden so as to deduce any unnecessary losses.

'Prepare for physical training regiment,' he yelled, 'Its time to see if you Milogradians are even fit to die!'

---
Kiceniz, Milograd
+11 hours from the Cracking of Milograd

Lieutenant Bohumir moved through the city of Kiceniz with haste as he heard the chatter of Reich machine-guns attempting to stich him with lead. He slid into a nearby shop, its windows thankfully small and already broken he scanned the room as the rest of his men came barreling after him. He countered them in his head and cursed - 2 lost. He scanned the road and found one of them lying dead in the street his back ripped wide open by the heavy caliber rounds the Capitol Police used. His soldiers spread out in standard formation clearing the shop as he linked up with SatNet attempting to get an overall feel for the growing battle. Luckily the military heavily encrypted the network to prevent the Reich from interfering with it. It appeared to be working so far as he'd experienced no issues with it.

'Clear,' came one of his men from the back of the shop, 'Alley behind us is viable for retreat. We should go sir!'

The outside of the shop was lit up as chunks of brick and concrete began to fly as the Stormtroopers turned their guns against Bohumir and his men trying to suppress them.

'Move out, we need to get out of this zone,' yelled Bohumir to his men. The situation on SatNet wasn't looking good for this section of Kiceniz. Ever since his platoon had successfully ambushed that Capitol Police formation they had a much harder time pulling it off against as the Reich's forces became aware that they had finally reached their enemies.

As Bohumir's platoon had falling back out of the building he surveyed the SatNat landscape one more time and took note of the updated map of MIlograd which showed 'The Fault' as it had become known to Central Command, or rather Lord Marshall Mari.

[Havensky]

HRA Strategos
Skyan Airship Armada
Argyz, Milograd

The artillery shells came all at once sending both military personnel and the civilian workers scrambling under the bunkers they had hastily built. The earth shook as the shells hit. One shell in particular had crashed through the shell of a high rise building. The high rise had long since been abandoned, but the sounds of the shell breaking the glass and hitting the steel support frame within was still terrible to behold. The shell exploded, and the building began to collapse sending glass and debris everywhere.

Bexar watch the building collapse from the viewpoint of one of the scout drones flying over the city. He turned the camera angle and saw that multiple places in the city were being hit, but nothing was being targeted in particular.

Just what I was afraid of, James get me a mic.

His executive officer, who had been making projections on where the artillery was coming from, handed over the radio communicator.

Armada Actual, Longhorn 6: We're taking heavy artillery hits all over the city. , Bexar paused to check his XO's calculations. The shells are massive and at long range - far beyond the reach of the BCT groups here. Request fire mission from the Armada.

Acknowledged and approved Longhorn 6 - Launching air strike now in two mikes. Armada out

Bexar smiled, Let's see the bastards play defense for once.

On board the airship carrier Strategos, the speaker system blared out three long bell rings.

Action Stations! Action Station! Scramble Bombers for Ferret Hammer run!

Pilots got up from the chairs in the ready room, leaving their playing cards on the table. They put on their helmets as they ran to the pilot tubes. They climbed down their ladders and into the cockpit of their waiting fighters as the hangar crews topped off the fuel of each fighter. After a spot check of the fighters, the crews rushed back to hangar cabin. The canopy of the cockpit lowered and locked into place with a solid 'click' sound.

All crew, clear the flight deck... all crew, clear the flight deck.

The square plate of steel the Accipiter fighters were harnessed to began to tilt to reveal the open sky. The pilots each started their engines, the craft straining against the locks. Pilots began making the thumbs up sign.

Red Three, Strategos. Clear forward.. navigation check, commo check, test flaps.. flaps check.. thrust positive and steady. Prepare for drop. Good hunting.

The Hangar Master gave the thumbs up and with a sharp clink the harness locks were released and each fighter jet dropped down into the darkened sky. The pilots quickly turned their fighter jets into an upright position and began to barrel towards the mountains that hid the Kraven artillery.

The Armada had expected a large number of anti-aircraft and so had loaded Red Squadron with a load out designed to target them. Behind Red Squadron was Gold Squadron, currently armed to the teeth with air-to-ground missiles. Flanking the two squadrons were Blue Squadron to provide escorts against possible fighters.

It would be dangerous work. Half of Red Squadron would fan out in a reverse V formation attempting to bait the anti-aircraft units. Once they tagged the fighters, the second half of Red Squadron would pin down their location using electronic sensors then blast the unit with missiles of their own. Once a hole through the defenses were cleared Gold Squadron would destroy the artillery units. The trick would be successfully dodging the Reich's missiles. There was a good reason that Red Squadron's patch read "FML!"