Shadows in the Dune Sea [FanT/IC/Private]

[Nachfolgia]

Minrozian Embassy
Dusty Springs, Dune Sea.

When the Minrozians breached the door, the lone Todesengel was standing there waiting for them. She was unarmed and defenseless, accepting her inevitable death as the heat rose within her.There was very little she could do as the Snow Wolves threw flashbangs into the room, rendering her blind and deaf for a few moments. The witch figured that the last sound she would hear is the intense ringing of her ruptured ear drums before a Minrozians put a bullet in her brain.

What she did feel, was a strange energy enveloping her and restraining her movements. Struggling a bit against it, the witch fell to the floor, still in a daze. The Minrozians were planning to take her alive. When her vision finally came to, she was encased in magical barriers with several Minrozians standing over her. Coming to her senses from the pain in her chest, the witch realized what the enemy was doing They somehow knew that the Nachfolgians were going to use her to blow up the embassy and were trying to contain it in magic barriers. Tears began to well up in the witch's eyes, a mix of pain and sorrow that her death was going to inevitably be in vain.

"[ N-no…no...NO NOOOOO!!!]" The Todesengel screamed in the Nachfolgian tongue and she thrashed against the magical restraints.

The glow in her chest began to grow brighter as it spread throughout her body. This caused her intense pain, like she was set aflame, and began to scream and thrash in pain. The energy grew brighter and more intense until her body could not contain it any longer. Screaming in absolute agony, the witch exploded in a violent fashion, erupting in massive amounts of solar energy. The Minrozians' barriers contained some of the blast, but not all. The portion of the barrier on the opposite side of where they were shattered, allowing the energy to funnel out. The blast blew out the side of the embassy, the outer wall, and engulfed several nearby residential buildings, sending fiery debris across several blocks. The shockwave of the explosion could be felt for miles and the plume of fire and smoke rose several hundred feet. If it wasn't for the magical barriers, the embassy and several building would have been leveled, killing everyone in the area.

Unknown Location

Not too long after the Minrozian ambassador was transported away from the embassy, the rest of the assault team rendezvoused there as well. Couple of the Nachfolgians rushed over and quickly detained the man, cuffing him and throwing a bag over his head. The Weissaugen commander watched his men perform this aggressive act before getting into his comms and contacting their Xer benefactors.

"[ This is Weissaugen 1 Alpha, both targets acquired. How copy?]"

The voice that answered was still all too familiar, the mockery within its tone seemingly everpresent. And it replied in perfect Nachfolgian:

“[Copy that Weissaugen 1 Alpha . That wasn’t so difficult now, was it?]”

"[ My men are moving to Sierra Hotel Beta, over.]" The Nachfolgian replied, ignoring her mocking tone.

“[Good, that’s the easy part. And by easy I mean you only have to avoid the Tundran Tanks in the streets, the Frontier Gunships in the air and the Al-Hamdu in the sewers.

I am sure the great and powerful Nachfolgians don’t fear any fight but we prefer getting our targets in one piece so try and avoid fighting as much as you can and get back on a safe route. I hear sewers, albeit rather foetid, are pretty safe compared to the surface.]”

"[ Copy that, I'll relay the message. Weissaugen 1 Alpha out.]" The commander replied before cutting comms with the woman. He didn't particular enjoy talking to her, but it was necessary for the operation. He then switched comms to the Froxian team leader.

"[ Weissaugen 12, this is Weissaugen 1 Alpha, do you copy?]"

"[ Go for Weissaugen 12. ]" A voice replied on the other end.

"[ Weissaugen 12, be advised. Surface routes are compromised. Rally your team in the sewers and head to my location. Eliminate any Al-Hamdu in your path. How copy]"

A short moment of silence before another reply.

"[ Copy that, Weissaugen 1 Alpha. Moving under ground to you location. Weissaugen 12 out."]

After the comms were disconnected, the Weissaugen Commander instructed his team to hold a perimeter in the abandoned building until the rest of the unit arrived.

Streets of Dusty Springs

The small team of Weissaugen that had the Froxian Ambassador in custody, moved to the nearest entrance to the sewers. Given that they were now deep in occupied territory, the Nachfolgians moved silently and undetected, thanks in part to the Todesengel's magic. One by one, they climbed down the manhole, taking extra precaution not to drop the ambassador. One Weissaugen hooked the body bag to his belt and descended a bit down the ladder before another did the same and the two slowly climbed down safely. They did not want anything to happen to their " catch" before extraction.

Once down in the sewers, the small team waited until the rest of their team formed up with them. Each Weissaugen knew every member was due to their helmet's advanced encrypted internal GPS system. Coupled with the detailed overlay map of the entire city's infrastructure, finding their way to one another was a simple and relatively easy task. The team covered any possible avenues of approach as they waited for the rest of their comrades.

Once the Froxian team had reformed, sniper included, the Nachfolgians moved through the sewer as one. They cleared any open space and intersecting sewer lines before moving across. They were methodical in their movement, making sure there were no ugly surprises for them. Their cargo was extremely valuable and couldn't risk compromising the mission. Any Al-Hamdu they came across was either avoided completely or if there was no other alternative, silently eliminated as per their directive. The Nachfolgians cared very little of the natives, seeming them as either pawns in their goals or obstacles that needed to be be destroyed. Nothing was going to interfere with their mission.

After some time, the Froxian team made it to the building that the Minrozian team was hiding out in. One Nachfolgian peeked from the manhole cover to check if it was clear. Once the all clear was given, the Froxian team tactically moved from the sewer to the building, once again completely covered by the witch's magic.

Once all the Weissaugen had assembled, the commander went over the plan quickly of how they were going to get to SH Beta. He explained that given the Minrozians capacity of magic, they could track the inate signature of the Todesengel's teleportation magic. They would have to use an indirect approach to make it difficult for their enemy to track them. He instructed the Todesengel to create several different portals to random parts of the city. They would only use one while the others were used to mask their movements. Once they went through the first portal, the Todesengel would close them and create a new set of portals. They would then repeat the same motion over and over again until they were close enough to then walk to their drop off point.

Every Nachfolgian knew what to do and the commander gave the order to move out. The Todesengel created the portals as planned and the Weissaugen moved through it. They did this over and over again, hopping from one random point in the city to the next unseen. After several portal hops, the Weissaugen made it a few blocks from the safe house. With the teleporting witch spent on magic, it was up to the other Todesengel to cloak them as they moved to the safe house.

The Exilvanians should already be there for the hand off of the ambassadors. Their mission had went as smoothly as possible, leaving destruction in their wake. With their magic signature all over the city in a jumbled mess, the Minrozians should have a difficult time tracking them. Of course, the Nachfolgians were planning to be long gone before the Minrozians and Froxians caught onto their trail.

[Monfrox]

"Lady, I got no time. I need to get to that airport and I gotta meet my VIP there who should be com-"

"SERGEANT ROTARU!"

Private Sileenka ran over from out of the Humvee, her eye having bled through the fresh gauze patch put over her wound. She stumbled a bit as she clambered up the tank's hull and handed the Sergeant her Tactical Command Device tablet. Unlike the Tactical Asset Command display that most SOF units had strapped onto their wrists, normal commanders had to carry a tablet device which could access the encrypted network of the Froxian military communications. She had an alert on the screen and followed it to a message sent from "KW". She opened it up without really thinking about the fact that she could very well get shot out here. It was a recorded message playing in audio and video. She recognized Ms. Wodarska immediately, noting how banged up she looked in the video feed.

"Sergeant Rotaru, this is Wodarska. I hope you get this message soon. I've failed my primary directive. The sewers were a trap. We were ambushed by local forces and I was assaulted. I managed to escape destruction through feigning death. The ambassador was abducted by some sort of spook squad. I don't have much time, but I don't think I'll be going anywhere fast. The directive is given: Move to Plan Echo. I'll attempt to make my way to the airport on my own, out."

The message ended and Rotaru closed out the tablet, her ever-present smile now gone.

"Sarge?" Sileenka asked, holding her eye.

"Change of plans. I need in that airport yesterday and I need to set up a command post with my remaining troops. And if you're having second thoughts about who we are, might I remind you that we were supposed to be picked up and on our way out of here by your people. So since our evac chopper isn't here, I'm sure your superiors wouldn't mind you escorting us in."

---

Ms. Wodarska had taken her TAC display out from her thigh pack and slipped it on. With the message complete, she kept it hooked into the Sergeant's display to track their position. When she had shoved Cecylia, she had planted a small sort of device that could be used to track her position. The problem was that it was small and required activation by the individual in an uncovered area. If Cecylia couldn't get it outside, it was useless. But she trusted the ambassador, as all did. With that card in the deck, she made for her escape from the sewers. Her leg was limp and she had to hold her right arm that had stopped responding. Thankfully, the ceramic plating had stopped the velocity of the bullets enough that few of them had penetrated her armored torso, but things were still fucky. She'd push for a SCALE vest if she got out of here. Her protocols and subroutines were being handled but she had a choice to make on her own: Would she request extraction, or refit and repair? It was something that weighed heavily as she searched her code for anything to give her the answer.

Data and symbols couldn't help her make her decision, let alone help her get out of the tunnels. But when she searched her operational history, she was reminded that this was her first assignment. To be defeated so easily on her first detail would not be acceptable. She had to get back to Rotaru at the airport and request a mobile workshop be flown in to repair and rearm her. She would rescue Cecylia no matter who stood in her way.

[Minroz]

It was now though, that the Minrozians could hear the cavalry approaching. Rapidly so. Wether they hadn't heard it due to the aftereffects of the explosion or because of the sheer speed of their extraction could not be said. Regardless of the why, point was that they were now hearing the sound of rotorblades in the air. The sound of helicopters. Atleast three.

The wind kicked up by the approaching helicopters quickly cleared away a lot of the dust as they approached the backyard of the embassy. It was both good and a bad as it now allowed the Minrozians to see their targets without difficulties...but their targets suddenly had an actual chance to see them as well and formerly erratic return fire started getting more controlled and accurate. With the dust having been cleared, the Minrozian now also finally got to look at their saviours, only to see an old C Type Samson Transport helicopter, an old but very proven and reliant design of the Western Frontier, still in frequent use for logistic operations. However...it was only one...two more helicopters accompanying it were Duey AH-86 gunships.

The gunships, with the dust having been cleared and a better differentiation between hostiles and friendlies having been made possible, started opening up on the approaching Al-Hamdu forces, MGs rattling and occasional rockets being fired from their rocket pods. They were providing cover for the Minrozians to start and get their people out and they were doing so quite handily, the rockets tearing large gaps into the Al-Hamdu and forcing them back, away from the embassy and into the building blocks they had come from. It was likely that they hadn't been prepared for gunships and did not have the equipment there and ready to handle them.

Meanwhile the C Type Samson touched down in the backyard, it's ramp opening and a Western Frontier soldier standing right behind it, shouting:

"Come on Minrozians! Get the fuck over here! We can't stay here forever!"

The reinforcements from the Western Frontier military is a quite a surprise to the Minrozian defenders. The Snow Wolves soldiers may not showed it but they’re inwardly grateful for help. Watching from the building windows, Jiang Gu made a scowl in grim acceptance, knowing what will happened if the Minrozians kept up their stubborn defence in the face of Al-Hamdu horde. Regardless, He’s nonetheless grateful for support from the Western Frontiersmen. Once he received incoming transmissions from his men about orders in regards to the Frontier reinforcements and evacuation, Jiang Gu replied in Minrozian (Chinese) positively that the evacuation is a go. There’s no point in defending the complex once the friendly reinforcements have arrived with the ride.

The commanding sergeant in charge of the frontal Minrozian defences just nodded in response. He then barked commands at the rest of the Snow Wolves presented outside the building complex to gather all surviving embassy personnel towards the Frontiers’ helicopters for evacuation. So they did as the Snow Wolves and the Sisters escorting the embassy survivors into the helicopters. The snipers and marksmen on the rooftops made sure to keep an eye for hostiles attempting to attack the Minrozian embassy complex again.

“This is Captain Jiang. On behalf of my brothers-and-sisters-in-arms, we’re grateful for your support.” Jiang Gu radios to whoever in charge of the Western Frontier reinforcements, “But we’re not leaving until every survivors of the embassy staff is evacuated. My orders are to ensure the safety of our countrymen until they’re evacuated. My men will be coming last to leave. Over.”

Minrozian Embassy
Dusty Springs, Dune Sea.

When the Minrozians breached the door, the lone Todesengel was standing there waiting for them. She was unarmed and defenseless, accepting her inevitable death as the heat rose within her.There was very little she could do as the Snow Wolves threw flashbangs into the room, rendering her blind and deaf for a few moments. The witch figured that the last sound she would hear is the intense ringing of her ruptured ear drums before a Minrozians put a bullet in her brain.

What she did feel, was a strange energy enveloping her and restraining her movements. Struggling a bit against it, the witch fell to the floor, still in a daze. The Minrozians were planning to take her alive. When her vision finally came to, she was encased in magical barriers with several Minrozians standing over her. Coming to her senses from the pain in her chest, the witch realized what the enemy was doing They somehow knew that the Nachfolgians were going to use her to blow up the embassy and were trying to contain it in magic barriers. Tears began to well up in the witch's eyes, a mix of pain and sorrow that her death was going to inevitably be in vain.

"[ N-no…no...NO NOOOOO!!!]" The Todesengel screamed in the Nachfolgian tongue and she thrashed against the magical restraints.

The glow in her chest began to grow brighter as it spread throughout her body. This caused her intense pain, like she was set aflame, and began to scream and thrash in pain. The energy grew brighter and more intense until her body could not contain it any longer. Screaming in absolute agony, the witch exploded in a violent fashion, erupting in massive amounts of solar energy. The Minrozians' barriers contained some of the blast, but not all. The portion of the barrier on the opposite side of where they were shattered, allowing the energy to funnel out. The blast blew out the side of the embassy, the outer wall, and engulfed several nearby residential buildings, sending fiery debris across several blocks. The shockwave of the explosion could be felt for miles and the plume of fire and smoke rose several hundred feet. If it wasn't for the magical barriers, the embassy and several building would have been leveled, killing everyone in the area.

Everyone else who survives the Nachfolgian attacks was shocked, rattled by the vibration and display of explosions. They can tell the section of the embassy complex has collapsed. Jiang Gu figured out that the enemy has set up the trap and it’s most likely his men sent to retake the server room are Killed-in-action. It is fortunate that all surviving Minrozians by now are alive including the wounded. Suppressing his rage and kept his professional composure, Jiang Gu then radios to his remaining subordinates to regrouped at the evacuation point. As much as he’s outraged at whoever honourless enough to attack the embassy, his mission comes first.

Jiang Gu knew Zhongyang will find ways to avenge the fallen. For now, he’s focusing on evacuating his countrymen out of this warzone.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Dusty Springs, Safe Zone

The safehouse was remarkably different from the run-down factory building they had had their briefing in. In fact, so was the entire borrough they had appeared in. The run down, multi-story concrete buildings and abandoned or old factories and warehouses had disappeared, replaced instead by tidy avenues with palm trees neatly growing in prepared spaces of the tiled sidewalks. Behind the sidewalks walls rose, high fences, hedges and garden walls, all surrounding and framing what apepared to be well tended gardens, pools and beautiful villas in a modern adaptation of the older Al-Dundus styles. It was clearly where the rich and privileged, the foreign elite and the wealthy tourists, had settled down. Some avenues they had to cross even allowed the Nachfolgians a view straight down to the coast. There were no Al-Hamdu Ila here, no protests. This was a gated community of foreigners or locals profitting of the foreign governance and so the protests had no presence here and with the borrough's proximity to the coast it was well within the Tundran-Frontier security barrier, allowing the prostetors no way in.

Getting to the safehouse proved to be fairly simple as the streets were nearly deserted. There were few people actually living here, most of these villas being only for the wealthy to stay in when they paid this territory a visit, wether for business or for pleasure. With the outbreak of the protests and things turning violent, most of them had already fled the country or were constantly besieging the local administrative authorities to put down the protests and protect their investments. The safehouse itself was an impressive white villa, locked behind a gate and a wall, a slight fizzling in the air and a somewhat burnt smell indicating that there was some form of electrified wire set up on top.

Cameras seemed to be working, better even than regular cameras, as the gate opened on approach, letting the Nachfolgians through and into a rather small frontal garden that was basically just there to fill the little space leading up to the main entrance. Despite its small size, it was well kept, the grass and bushes perfectly cut and the flowerbeds watered.

When the door to the main entrance opened, the Nachfolgians were greeted by one of the two Exilvanians who had briefed them, specifically the white haired and green eyed one who held the door open with one hand, motioning for the Nachfolgians to enter with the other while pressing a cheap mobile phone to her ear with her shoulder, her annoyed facial expression and the fact that she spoke in Dundushti, a distinctly northern dialect of Dundushari, the primary language used by the locals in the Dune Sea, betraying just what the topic of her conversation was about.

["-I don't think you truly appreciate the severity of the situation. Your patriotic sentiment is commendable but you should've remembered not to bite the hand that feeds you. We might just see ourselves forced to keep a few of the planned shipments to ourself. What? We wouldn't? We need you? Oh please, you'd collapse against the Emerians like you always have, again and again. Besides, purchasing weapons in bulk is not cheap and supplying an illoyal dog such as yourself with them does not yield a great return."]

She closed the door behind the Nachfolgians before walking past them as they all gathered in a rather spacious living room. During a lull in her conversation, she quickly put down the phone and held her hand over the speaker, silently hissing at the Nachfolgians in their mother tongue:

["Put them on the couch, I'll be checking them in a moment."]

Then she went back to her conversation with the Al-Hamdu, walking circles while the Nachfolgians positioned the two hostages.

["Oh that's rich. You actually think you can stand against them with what little you've got? Why yes of course I'd like to see that! Sarcasm? What Sarcasm are you talking about, I am being absolutely, totally, brutally honest here. The nerve of some people to just claim to hear dripping sarcasm. I will look forward to your patriotic fervour penetrating Tundran steel. "]

She rolled her eyes at the Nachfolgians for a moment as she listened to her counterpart's dribble through the phone, continuing right after:

["Ah yes, indeed, that superior organisational skill and discipline among your ranks. Am I to assume then that the raid of our primary intended safehouse was totally planned and not a case of your absolute lack of authority in this country? Oh stop fooling yourself, we know that you've lost control and that makes things look all the more grim for you. If your authority is so poor already, what would happen to it if we stopped supplying you with weapons and making you...irrelevant?"]

A cruel smile adorned the Exilvanian's lips as she said the last thing as though she was saying the sweetest thing in the world.

["Then prove it. This operation isn't finished yet and I expect you to be able to keep your end of the bargain. No, there will be no discussion. Prove your ability to be worthy of leading this uprising and this nation or we will withdraw our support. Good. The package will be at the predetermined spot soon enough."]

With that she ended the call, took a few moments to delete anything that was on the phone, removed the SIM card and then tossed both phone and SIM card at two Nachfolgians, casually commanding:

["Destroy it."]

, before she took to the two hostages, neatly arrayed on the couch. They both had bags of their head, likely to keep them from seeing their surroundings in the unlikely event that they woke up but right now they were more of a hindrance as the Exilvanian had to confirm their identities. She quickly pointed at two Weissaugen and then at the two witches who had handled teleportation and camouflage, commanding:

["You there, strip the Minrozian. You two, go grab the Froxian and do the same with her upstairs. Don't need those commandos here getting any thoughts that could endanger the purity of the Nachfolgian genome."]

She shot an amused glance at the Weissaugen Squad Leader with that last sentence, clearly hoping to tickle a response out of him. One she got, albeit not quite the way she had hoped.

The Wiessaugen Commander scoffed at the Xer's comment, finding it either amusing or absurd.

"Ignore that order. The Froxian stays down here. Strip and bring me everything she owns to be searched. Keep a gun on them both."

He then turned his attention back to the Exilvanian.

"The Froxians seem to be more of a hassle. Can't be too careful."

She sent the knocked out Froxian a disparaging look. Of course she had heard about Monfrox but she'd not have thought the Nachfolgians would take them this seriously. She instead elected to tease the Nachfolgian over his choice, playfully asking:

["Riiiight. Just admit you've been starved of seeing your Oberste Führerin in your brochures for too long now."]

The Commander growled and took some aggressive steps towards the Exilvanian, standing directly in front of her.

["My only focus right now is completing the mission. We do not have time for childish comments. These abominations hold no desire in my or any of my men's brains. Is that understand, Xer?]"

, the Commander said, his voice low and threatening.

The commander's sudden aggression made the Exilvanian both nervous and overjoyed, her taking a few steps back as he built himself up before her, his impressive frame towering above. It was nice to manage to elicit such a reaction but one always played with fire in these situations as sometimes people got rather murderous over it. So in an effort to calm the commander down, the Exilvanian raised her arms and lowered them again repeatedly, trying to calm down the Nachfolgian.

["Sure, sure, I understand completely. Sheesh, you Nachfolgians ought to enjoy yourself more. You'd think you would with your Duality."]

Under her breath she added:

["Nice to know there's no guarantee for the girls' desires."]

Rather than reply, the Weissaugen commander merely scoffed before just ignoring the Exilvanian and receiving a neat pile of stuff from one of his commandos. It appeared that their little banter had perfectly passed the time it had taken the Weissaugen to undress the two hostages, both of them now laying sprawled out on the couch. Leaving the commander to sort throw the hostages' clothes and equipment, the Exilvanian walked up, her heels audibly clicking on the tiled floor and started looking over the hostages. Using a tablet she shot pictures of their faces from multiple angles before starting to take several pictures of their now nude bodies, sending them to her higher-ups who would compare them with data available on the hostages. It took a while but eventually she got the reply she required, confirming her hostages as the correct ones.

With a pleased smile she looked up at the 4 Weissaugen who had stripped the hostages, saying:

["Good, you brought us the correct package. Now, we can't have them stay that way. One of you head upstairs and check in the wardrobe. There should be some civilian clothing roughly in their size. Two of you go and feel them up and down, check if they've got any nasty surprises like cyanide pills, probes, plugs or whatnot."]

She licked her lips at the thought of getting to play a bit with her prey but alas, she had work to do. Plenty of it in fact and couldn't spare that time for some enjoyment. Things had to be arranged and rearranged so this operation could continue smoothly. Sighing a bit she shook her head to free it of these thoughts before stepping before the remaining Nachfolgians, raising her voice to address them all:

["As your squadleaders already know, there have been some issues in the execution of this plan. Some...arrangements were voided and we are right now rerranging things to continue the operation. My colleague is currently in talks with local authorities to open a path for us out of here while I am attempting to remind the Al-Hamdu of our deals and their dependency on us. Alas, we'll likely be falling behind schedule by..."]

, she briefly checked a pocketwatch.

[...by around 24 hours. You will be spending these 24 hours here and are not to leave the property. Do not climb across the wall. Do not show yourself in the windows. Do not pick up a phone. Otherwise you are free to use any and all of the amenities here to pass your time. Wether you wish to pass it tinkering in the garage in the back, sweating in the Sauna, exercising in the garden, cooling down in the pool, eating, watching TV or mourning your lost comrades, yes, I can count, you are less than when I briefed you, is up to you.

Now, excuse me. I need to organise some transportation for you."]

With that the Exilvanian left the Nachfolgians, picking up a new phone and SIM card from a small array of phones which had been neatly lined up on a cupboard, inserted the card and already dialed a number, starting her call just before walking off into a small office room and closing the door behind her.

With that, the Weissaugen were dismissed to go about their own business. They took it upon themselves to conduct in the maintenance of their gear for the next few hours. Like good soldiers with a life time of war experience, they knew the importance of having their gear and weapons in perfect shape. They cleared their weapons and repaired any gear that may have been damaged during the firefight. Meticulously cleaning and inspecting every inch of equipment in ritualistic fashion, the Nachfolgians made sure they were ready for the next fight, when ever that would be.

After that, the Weissaugen did what they pleased. Some worked out while others relaxed and chatted amongst themselves, keeping their voices low enough so no one could hear them, especially the Exilvanian. They still didn't trust her enough to not use any personal info against them. They silently mourned the loss of two of their own, being no time to commemorate them properly as they were still in a hostile zone. There will be time to party later when they are in Nachfolgia. Each Nachfolgian did what he could to pass the time until they moved out.

Dusty Springs, Minrozian Embassy

Yet another massive explosive shook the Minrozian Embassy, though this time not set off by an Al-Hamdu suicide bomber but by something far more lethal, its effects showing as an entire part of the Embassy collapsed and fire and debris rushed across nearby residential buildings. One of the Western Frontier gunships was caught in the explosion's blast, getting blown clear out of the sky and crashing into yet more residential buildings. It took a while for the Al-Hamdu Ila to make sense of things...but soon cheers erupted around the embassy and the surviving snipers saw themselves confronted with yet another assault undertaken against the embassy.

The Frontier soldier standing ont he ramp to the C Type Samson of course heard the explosion though from his position in the backyard of the embassy he couldn't see it or the collapsed part of the embassy but he could guess by the sounds that something was going very badly. Some radio chatter coming in shortly after from the other, still flying gunship just proved and and he quickly chimed in after Captain Jiang's radio message, urging:

"Captain Jiang, this is First Lieutenant Dick Morris of the Western Frontier military. Now you can thank me all you want later but I hurry the fuck up! Excuse my language but I hear the situation is rapidly deteriorating and speed is of the essence so forget about fighting and just fucking get everyone here ASAP! We need to evacuate you all before the Al-Hamdu Ila are able to set up firing positions within the embassy itself because then it'll be open season on the chopper.

So whatever you do, do it quickly!"

The evacuation then proceeded rapidly and without further problems, the remaining gunship cruising around the embassy, dodging RPGs and holding back the Al-Hamdu Ila which were penetrating the embassy grounds now everywhere, the Minrozian Snow Wolves and Sisters thankfully holding back the enemy tide from a small perimeter around the transport helicopter, precisely downing Al-Hamdu and Al-Hamdu Ila which were trying to advance through the gardens in the back. With the embassy staff and Captain Jiang's forces soon all on board the rather cramped interior of the transport helicopter, First Lieutenant Morris helped Captain Jiang on board while radioing to the pilot:

"The VIPs are on board, I repeat, the VIPs are on board, you are cleared for take-off."

A few RPGs and salvos of machinegun fire would still go after them, clattering harmlessly against the armoured sides of the helicopter as the remaining embassy staff was evacuated into the safe zone.

Dusty Springs, On the Road

The tank commander looked Rotaru over again, seemingly slightly impressed with her standing her ground and clearly getting the mood of urgency that was about them. With a sigh she said:

"Evac chopper? Ah, then one that was shot to ground over old Bazaar must have been your chopper."

She suddenly went silent, likely listening to some news from her headset while quickly adjusting her microphone. She then replied in her native Tundran tongue, from the sound of it giving a short report, before going silent again for a while. After what seemed like a minute or two had passed, she sighed and said:

"Major Groznyi just complained about our delay. You are free to go. But have warning. Rebels mined Dushkay Prospekt and pioneers are still working on clearing. Recommend to take way around."

Before Rotaru could say anything about the escort, the Tundran raised her hand and said:

"Cannot come with. Major demands I advance quickly now, there still pockets of civilians and soldiers that need rescue. He also confirm your story. Look like I need to apologize when this over."

She also looked down at Sileenka whose bleeding was clearly getting too much for that bit of gauze to contain.

"Hospitals are currently full but Tundran Army made field hospital at the airport. Go there and say that Kapitán Baranova sent you. Should get you treated quickly. Doktor Dzershinskiy still owe me debt."

With that the Captain Baranova saluted the two Froxians before barking something into her microphone, the tanks promptly starting to move aside, clearing a path for the Froxians towards the the airfield that would not see them facing any further adversities.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Dustry Springs, Hermansfield Airport

*click*

*click click*

*click click click*


With an annoyed grunt Josh threw the lighter aside and took the cigarette out of his mouth, rubbing the bit imaginery and unremovable spit off it before putting it back into his pack with trembling hands. Hands he hid in the pockets of his coat straight after. The expected arrivals did not need to see it. Come to think of it, he had not fully been informed over who would be arriving other than it being people from both Monfrox and Minroz...both of which he was sure would chew him up and then spit him out again. So far he had been shielded from their wrath by the Western Frontier's Ministry of Foreign Affairs...though they had put plenty of pressure on him, likely due to having received pressure from Minroz and Monfrox in return.

It was what had caused his...enormous increase in smoking, going through nearly two packs a day just to keep him calm and his nerves stable. No wonder his lighter had stopped working, it was likely empty by now. This meant however that his nervousity was not calmed by the beautiful nicotine so he quickly started constantly checking his wristwatch to pass the time and reign in his nervousity. Two days had passed since things had gone very hot in the Dune Sea. Two days of plenty of activity, not just in diplomatic channels.

He was very much reminded of that when Elena Michitshina stepped up beside him, her hands in the pockets of her thick coat. The Tundran Major-General had been at work ceaselessly over the last days, her bloodshot eyes and deep eyerings as well as the cup of coffee in her hand telling quite the story of what she had been up to as of late.

Josh pulled his pack of cigarettes out again, offering it to Elena who just shook her head, declining before taking another sip of coffe. Shrugging, Josh put the cigarettes back where they belonged and decided to strike up atleast some form of conversation so he could pass the time.

"So, Major-General, how are things looking on the field of battle? The way you look one could think we're back in the Battalion Wars."

She acknowledged him only with a short sideglance before mumbling in her usual, heavily accented speech:

"Dusty Springs secure now...Pessocksburg and Beckintown too. Oilwell still embroiled in heavy fight. Control lost beyond cities. Insurgents in villages, attacking convoys on roads. They have bigger weapons. Must have stored for a while now. Prepared from long hand this insurgency."

Josh stared at the ground, shocked. These were bad news. This meant that much of the oil extraction was in the hand of the insurgents, the Al-Hamdu and whatever other groups there could be forming in the mountainous Al-Hadrumut region...not to mention what could be happening further north, in the great deserts where the Al-Hamdu supposedly had their bases. And where the Exilvanian vultures were peeking across the border from all he heard.

"That is...most disturbing. With no more oil being refined and exported and the insurgency having gone this far, it'll be likely that we will have to abandon the Dune Sea."

Elena's head whipped around immediately, anger within her bloodshot eyes yet she refrained from saying anything. Josh couldn't really fault her. The fighting in Dusty Springs alone had gone on for the better part of 40 hours. That Pessocksburg and Beckintown had been pacified was complete news to him and Oilwell was still being fought over. The casualties must've been high, not just on the side of the Alliance of Nations and the Al-Hamdu Ila...but also among the civilians. Elena had become a butcher and lost many to the insurgents just for the possibility of it all being for naught hanging above her head.

"Don't fret Major-General. I doubt the Alliance of Nations will just pull out and let the hyenas consume this land. An unstable state in charge of much of Bworld's oil reserves? Worse, an Exilvanian client state? No, we will abandon our rule of this area sooner than anticipated but we will not let it drown in chaos and tyranny. Stability must be-"

The sound of boots quickly hitting the pavement in quick succession made Josh shut up and turn to the side, following Elena's gaze towards a Tundran soldier quickly approaching them. He came to a stop before Elena and saluted, reporting:

"Major-General Michitshina, foreign aircraft are approaching They identify themselves as Froxians and Minrozians."

Elena simply nodded and dismissed the soldier while Josh tensed up. Oh god, they were really coming now, weren't they? Elena seemed to feel his nervousity and asked him:

"Nervous, comrade Owards?"

He smiled weakly at her, saying:

"Aren't you? They'll hold us responsible for the missing ambassadors as well as for every casualty they sustained during the sieges of their respective embassies. God, it's a miracle that we've not been relieved of our posts yet. Well, I guess they're keeping us here to handle this steaming pile of shit so they can punish us later for everything together and won't have to share the blame."

One of the corners of Elena's mouth turned slightly upwards at that and she said:

"I see cowards are same in Western Frontier as are in Tundran Territories. Well, after this, I don't think I want to be Major-General anymore anyway."

They both laughed uneasily before quieting down, waiting for the aircraft of their new arrivals to touch down. This meeting would be most uncomfortable.

[Monfrox]

Somewhere over the Dune Sea, Dusty Springs

The last two days had been hectic to say the least. The response was demanded. The stakes were high. But a small team insertion was ultimately settled on and had been sent across the way. An MC-130H Combat Talon II was en route to Hermansfield Airport to rendezvous with the local Froxian embassy guard contingent which would be sent back home when another C-130J showed up. It would be carrying a special Security Brigade combat team to keep the aircraft and the assets secure for the inevitable extraction of the Froxian ambassador, Cecylia. The Combat Talon was carrying supplies and operators from the Rapid Pursuit and Response Unit which included 4 operators and two SOTV-Bs. They excelled in urban warfare, small squad tactics, and hostage rescue. The decision to go with a small team overseen by an intelligence officer was a weighted decision ultimately made by General Volkova and approved by the Grand General. But even as it was heading in, its first real asset was being deployed to the newly designated AO.

A woman was sitting in a seat next to the intelligence officer onboard, opposite the RPRU team. She had her eyes closed and appeared to be sleeping, but was really just listening to music. And then, all of a sudden, her eyes opened. The magenta-touched pupils were calm as they ever were. She stepped up and rolled her shoulders. She was wearing the standard stealth uniform along with an oxygen jump mask and goggles. Her main gear was secured to a pack on her front with a parachute on her back. She walked off towards the ramp where the SOTV-Bs were sitting.

"Almost over the target area. Get ready." The crew chief said as she saw the woman walk up.

The ramp to the back of the cargo hold was opened. In that instance, the sun shone on the city below. It was early morning, and most people would only just be waking up. It was not the ideal drop time. Had she had the chance, she would've picked the dead of night for this mission, but things were tight so she had to make due. They all did, really, but that's what this was all about. As the cargo hold was depressurized, all the other occupants made sure their own oxygen supplies were on. This was the only part of the trip they were told was special, and nothing past this.

"Stand at the door!" The crew chief instructed.

The woman stepped up to the ramp and flexed her fingers a few times, rolled her head around her neck, and made one last check that everything was secure.

"Over the DZ!"

The woman put her feet forward until she was standing on the edge of the open ramp, and then turned around. She put her arms out and let herself fall off the ramp. Her TAC display on her arm was showing an altimeter. At the last possible moment, she activated the parachute and pulled up on it to flare it out and slow her descent. The DZ was a small area out away from most of the town to ensure the most secrecy along with the HALO jump. When she landed on the ground, she immediately set about hiding her parachute and getting her gear in order. The desert tiger strip pattern would come in handy in blending in at a distance, and a half face mask would cover everything below her eyes to ensure her identity was kept secret. Her main equipment consisted of her special goggles for detecting a multitude of electronic signals, her Mk.23 SOCOM with a miniature directional disruptor device mounted underneath it, and an AAC Honey Badger. She had packed light with the purpose of seeing what she could find on-site, so only one flashbang was on her belt next to a colored smoke grenade and an IR strobe.

"This is Panther, I've touched down. Moving to the first objective." The woman said over her encrypted subdermal implant.

The intelligence officer got a notification from the crew in the Combat Talon and nodded. This part was all planned out, and she would take over as Panther's handler after she got done with her own business. The aircraft had just gotten clearance and touched down on the runway, pulling off to the spot where the VC-130 was parked two days before. It had been sent back with the wounded and dead when the Embassy contingent finally made it back to the airport. The ramp opened and the crew began handing out supplies to the other troops as they gathered for some decent home-made meals, even if they were just rations. The RPRU team was brushing up on their local dialects for important phrases as they loaded the trucks up. The intelligence officer stood and walked out, looking off around until she noticed a pair of individuals in the distance. One was a very distraught man with slicked back hair, and the other a very tired looking woman. She approached them both with a small manila folder under her arm.

"You two must be our foreign liaisons from the other countries. I'm Major Rosenthal of the Monfrox Expeditionary Force."

She was a woman of quite a tall stature, with long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. Her uniform was olive drab with a leather pistol holster off her side. She regarded the two in front of her with a the slightest bit of contempt in her eyes. Disappointed, truly, that this was the second time she had to deal with something of this nature.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Dustry Springs, Outskirts

Panther's dropzone, while away from most of the town, was of course not so far away as to make proceeding to the objectives themselves a hassle. From what her surroundings looked like, she had appeared in the midst of an expansive scrapyard on the outskirts of town. Most certainly a place where she would be unseen by anything but rats and where her parachute could be easily hidden and would, even if found, likely not raise an eyebrow.

Moving through the scrapyard, Panther would occasionally hear the scuttling of tiny feet, the sound of metal falling somewhere as her movement scared the some cautious rats but aside from that it seemed as though the scrapyard was deserted. It also appeared that the owners of the scrapyard did not give a shit about proper waste separation and recycling, all kinds of trash having been heaped onto the same piles and just rotting there.

Further navigation of the scrapyard would eventually bring Panther to its borders, a poorly maintained, roughly two and a half meters tall wirefence with some old barbed wire stuck on top. The fence had multiple holes where thieves or the like had probably made their entrance long before Panther had ever come here or Monfrox even heard of the Dune Sea. And beyond that fence was what looked like an actual, paved road, hell, there were even some low houses on the other side...and the lights were on. Even if Panther didn't have gear that could likely even see through walls, she would be easily able to see the outlines of people moving behind the windows. From the looks of it though, these were primarily families having an early breakfast, with their husbands having to rise early so they could get to work closer to the city center. With public transport being a bust now due to the previous rioting and with many people lacking private motorized transportation, this usually took quite a while.

Speaking of motorization, the sound of engines was audible from the left, so from the direction of the city. Multiple vehicles were approaching, already too close to cross the street safely and without being spotted. Regardless of what Panther did, she would get a good look at what it was that was approaching.

It was a small convoy consisting out of three tracked APCs, all of them featuring the well known red colour of the Tundrans. A military patrol from the looks of it, enforcing the martial law and peace in the city at the orders of Major-General Michitshina.

Dusty Springs, Hermansfield Airport

Josh nervously ran his hand through his hair, combing it back even more than it already was as he saw one of the disembarked Froxians march straight towards him and Elena. And of course it was a woman, like every Froxian he had ever seen. Sometimes he wondered if their men were a state secret or something. And why the hell their women tended to be so imposing, the woman easily reaching his height and her piercing blue eyes making him shirk back involuntarily. She was a lot like Elena...though Elena's stare had only ever been dull, hiding just how quickly and decisively the woman could think.

After regaining some of his composure, quickly straightening his tie as well, Josh extended his hands to Major Rosenthal, quickly introducing himself:

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, despite the grim situation. Owards, Josh Owards is my name. I happen to be the acting Governour-General of the Dune Sea. And this-"

He pulled Elena, who had just stood to the side, silently watching and seemingly close to dozing off, to the front and before Rosenthal, before introducing her as well:

"-is Major-General Michitshina from the Tundran Territories. S-"

He didn't get any further, Elena elbowing him harshly into the chest so he'd let go off her before whacking him with her other hand, making him recoil even further and giving her the opportunity to just leave with a murmured:

"Have better things to do than play introduction..."

Which left Josh alone with the angry Froxian. Looking after Elena for a moment as he rubbed his aching cheek, he still finished his sentence:

"She handles the matters like the defense of the Dune Sea as well as the enforcement of the law. I apologize for her rather harsh demeanor but the poor lady has been under near constant stress for these past few days and she was already working overtime during the protests leading up to this...regrettable chain of events."

[Monfrox]

Dusty Springs Outskirts

Time was the crunch factor. A whole day at least had gone by since the ambassador was reported missing, so things needed to happen fast. Allison Fisher, callsign "Panther", looked over her TAC display one more time now that she was on the ground. It was a trek to the embassy, former embassy, of Monfrox for the Dune Sea. But it was getting light out, and she needed to get something to help her blend in more with the locals. In the time here, there was a lot of the city mapped out. With the embassies in the new Red Zone, she would most certainly be shot on sight if she showed up in her stealth gear. She would make a side-trip to where a local market was and lift some garments to help disguise herself to move to the embassy unnoticed.

---

Hermansfield Airport, Dusty Springs

Major Sabrina Rosenthal had told them the half-truth. She was technically in the MEF, but only as a liaison herself. Her official posting was with the Foreign Intelligence Service. She had become unfortunately familiar with the shortcomings of other nations when it came to being relied on to secure Froxian assets. She was the operations officer for Operation Blind Knife, and that had shed much light on things for her. Now, here she was again, playing audience to foreigners' attempts to placate her, and by extension the Grand General's, disappointment and distaste. Her eyes flicked down to Owards' hands as he held them out to her, to which she merely locked his gaze with her eyes again. Her right hand gripped the manila folder tucked up under her arm and her left hand was behind her back in a fist. She made no effort to move them.

When he introduced the Major-General, Sabrina noted how quickly she made herself scarce. It was obvious that she didn't want to be here to face the music, to which Sabrina glared ever so lightly at her as she walked away. Owards started up again after having recovered, drawing that glare immediately back to him as he made his excuses and the barest of attempts to cover his and her ass.

"Mr. Owards," Sabrina started, her tone never raising but her words laced thick with venom. "the word "regrettable" doesn't come close. If your Major-General cannot stand to answer for these monumental shortcomings, then who will? It is my duty to remind you that, at any point, the Grand General herself could come down here should we not reach a satisfactory conclusion. I am a display her charity, and through me we will resolve this situation. If not, you will have to answer to her. Understand?"

And while the Major was discussing the situation with the foreign liaisons, the RPRU team was pulling their SOTV-Bs off the aircraft and going over their final checks. They threw hoods on to hide their rabbit ears and pulled up masks over their womanly faces. One pair got into the first vehicle after one with bright red ginger hair checked her TAC display and barked a few things at them. They drove out to the main gate and stood by until a woman came limping from around the wall. Upon closer inspection, she was wearing a maid's uniform with a plate carrier and other tactical gear. Her left arm was blown off, revealing a dark red stain and similar wounds all over her legs. Places on her body missing whole chunks of skin were not actually gory, but shiny. Titanium metal plating that was indicative of her true nature.

The RPRU operators quickly took charge of her from the Tundrans at the gate, vouching for her as one of their own as they put her in the vehicle and brought her back to the C-130. The mobile workshop was ready for her, even if it would take hours to get her back to combat effectiveness. Of course, the first thing would be getting her out of her old uniform, burning it and cleaning her up after her extensive stay in the sewers of the town.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Dustry Springs, Outskirt Bazaar

The outskirts were slowly coming to life around Panther as the operative made her way through them. The sun was rising, bathing everything in grey while the sounds of families waking and having some measure of breakfast as well as livestock being held behind houses waking up and demanding their own breakfasts grew in volume all around her. People, primarily men, were starting to walk the streets, alone or in small groups, heading towards the city center. Occasionally small Tundran patrols would drive down the streets and checkpoints were set up at multiple strategically important crossroads, Tundran guards checking the papers and searching anyone who came through.

The next bazaar was a small one, fitting for something on the outskirts. Old merchants, men and women, sometimes aided by small children running around and laughing when not being called by their grandparents to place down merchandise, were busy still putting up their stalls and stands and laying out what they would sell. With the bazaar still in the process of setting up, it obviously suffered from quite the lack of customers, though the merchants bustling around everywhere most certainly made up for it in activity.

On one corner of the bazaar a small Tundran patrol had settled down, smoking cigarettes while keeping a watchful eye on the bazaar. The authrotities were aware just how important these kinds of bazaars were for the locals and their continued survival, which was why they were still allowed to take place but the Major-General's men remained watchful for they knew that this was a place where the Dunepeople were still allowed to gather and as such could possibly try and coordinate something.

Dusty Springs, Hermansfield Airport

Josh visibly shrunk before Rosenthal's rage, trying to look away yet at the same time not daring to, envying Elena for having had the balls to just up and go. But no, of course he always had to try and placate others, try and alleviate things...and of course it had to end up with him becoming the target of virtually any ill will.

"Well-well-well, technically it is not my Major-General but-"

Josh broke off when he saw looks Rosenthal was giving him, starting to instead knead his hands at her small tirade, the venom quite clearly not pearling off him but hitting deep. He knew just how badly this all looked, just how enraged the Froxians probably were.

"V-very well, Ma-Major Rosenthal. Then, do let us work towards that. Is there perhaps anything I could already provide you?"

[Monfrox]

Allison bided her time as much as she could while staying out of sight. Observation was the first step towards formulating a plan, but sometimes things just line up before you can really think about it. When she noticed one of the merchants put out some clothing and head back inside to grab more, she swiped a traditional and bland looking garment off the table and donned it as fast as possible to disguise herself. It flowed over her gear and suit, which was the important thing. Then she wrapped her head in a shemagh that she had brought along and pulled her face mask up over her nose. For the trouble, she left a few coins on the table that were leftover from cartridge exchanges done by local Froxian troops.

The next step was taking the side streets and alleys to avoid the Tundran patrols. As the mission went, she was not to be seen or identified in the area. Timing her movements was tricky, but she could spy complacency in the guards and exploited that to her advantage. She kept up her movements and was on the lookout for anyone tailing behind her, taking random directions on her way to her objective. She even tossed a few coins into a beggar's pot as he sat on the side of a building. The embassy was close, but Allison had to scope it out first. No doubt the Tundrans were already trying to clean up the mess her fellow soldiers made trying to get out.

---

"I want the head of whoever was responsible for that sorry excuse of an evacuation that was ordered. I want those responsible for planning it, those in charge of the proceeding ground advance, and those in charge of acting on the orders. My time is very limited, Mr. Owards, and should we not reach a satisfactory conclusion, the Grand General will most certainly be taking it up with your superiors. Am I understood?"

Really, Sabrina was getting fed up with the ineptitude of all the foreign forces she had observed was compounding on her frustration. Not to mention she had to be on for Command and Control once she was done. That and receive a report from Ms. Wodarska who miraculously survived the ordeal. Hopefully she'd be able to shed some light on what exactly happened.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Dustry Springs, Froxian Embassy Perimeter

Unlike the Minrozian Embassy, the fighting for the Froxian Embassy had been relatively brief, making the damage to the surrounding infrastructure as well as the embassy itself comparatively minor. Gate had been torn down, a few sections of the wall surrounding the embassy were down as well and bulletholes were sporadically strewn across the embassy as well as surrounding buildings. Not that it was easy to get that close to see it, the embassy as well as all buildings directly around it having been cordoned off by the Tundran Military, soldiers and armoured vehicles blocking the streets leading closer while Tundran military patrolled the area and additionally aided medical personnel with the recovery of dead or wounded.

It had been days since the attack but fighting in the city had stopped not so long ago, with the Tundrans only now getting to do the proper clean-up.

A line of body bags, 5 in number, was spread out before the embassy wall. They were Tundran soldiers who had fallen in the recent liberation of the embassy, their comrades not having had the time yet to extract the bodies and have them returned home.

A sudden commotion at the checkpoints would likely divert some attention. A small convoy of Tundran vehicles, two APCs, had arrived and was being let through by the guards. It drove all the way to the embassy front gate where it stopped and its passengers embarked, a whole nother squad of Tundran troopers spreading out a little in the perimeter as someone else, a Tundran Major by the looks of his uniform, dismounted. He had a brief chat with one of the soldiers already there, pointing at one of the bodies in the bodybags which prompted the soldier to open the bag and show its contents to him. The Major didn't look away but instead nodded grimly, letting the soldier close the bodybag again.

Turning around, the Major seemed to notice something, pointing up towards it. It was easy to see what he pointed at. Directly opposite of the gate was a building and its roof...had taken a rather hefty beating, more of a beating than most around here. One didn't need to hear what the Major said to know what he said as promptly after several of the soldiers from his escort as well as some of the patrols hastily walked over to the house. The door had already been broken down and the house seemed otherwise empty, the Tundrans likely having forced the residents out as they undertook their own investigation.

Dusty Springs, Hermansfield Airport

"I-uh-well-it wasn't-uhm...technically it was Major-General Michitshina who was, ehrm, I mean, is in overall command of military operations across the entirety of the Dune Sea. Who gave the direct orders for the failed evacuation attempt I uhm...am not aware of. Nor of the people in charge of the ground advance. You-you must know I am but a simple civil servant and..."

, Josh decided to shut up at that point. If he couldn't provide the answers she required, perhaps it was best to not anger her with his inability to provide them. Well, that wasn't quite true either of course...he could've given her an answer...no! Best not to think of it. He was in enough shit as was and he refused to let his bleeding heart ride him even deeper into it.

"I-...uhm...the Major-General did tell me that we are currently still parsing through local civilians and trying to sort out which ones might have useful information or even be directly complicit in the tragedy that has befallen this city for the last few days. The uhm, the Tundrans took the heavy handed approach and put entire city blocks under arrest and we are having some trouble processing all these people. We have...uhm...held off on interrogating the embassy contingent, even if they might provide the best testimonies and accounts as direct witnesses of the events, considering these are not personnel under our command or supervision. However, with you here, perhaps this could be a good start?

For reasons of privacy and military...uh...secrecy, I would leave you to do so alone of course."

And find the Elena again. He couldn't deal with this shit. Sure, he was a bureaucrat and more of a politician and "handler of people" than she was but he had a feeling that Major Rosenthal absolutely didn't appreciate him and he clearly didn't have the informations she wanted so how the hell was he supposed to handle her?

[Monfrox]

Dusty Springs, Froxian Embassy

Espionage
Allison took in the sight before her, noting the immediate military presence. The disguise worked only for one side, and if the Tundrans saw her it'd be most certainly trouble. She couldn't let them see her anyway, even if she wanted to. Her entire existence was a coverup when out on deployments, and that's how she managed to do what she did best. She looked down at her TAC display, noting that there no outside connection registered to it yet. That meant Major Rosenthal was still busy with the diplomatic cover she was using.

Allison sighed and looked up. Tundrans had an officer around who was currently handing out orders and pointed out one of the buildings. She recognized it from the briefing and from the after-action reports. It was the building that the APC had lit up on their way out, registering a target on it's thermal scope as an enemy combatant that had taken out one of the troops on the Humvee turrets. She swore, and quickly moved. She had to get there before they did. Any evidence they grabbed would be no help to her and her people until they had sat on it long enough to give it up. She moved along the street and ducked into an alley. When a Tundran soldier moved into her alley right in front of her, she wasted no time in ducking into a nearby doorway.

She waited until he had his back turned and moved up behind him. Unfortunately for him, she was on a tight enough schedule as it was, thus resulting in her having to run up and get him in a chokehold around her neck and mouth.

"Ah ah ah! Shhhhhh shhhhhh. Go to sleep..." She said, noting the ten seconds it would take until his body went limp.

She let him fall onto the ground and kept moving. He'd live, but he'd wake up with one hell of a headache. She moved on, getting faster as she heard voices draw near. A quick hop and jump from wall to wall allowed her to grab the window sill and hoist herself up onto the second floor. She soon located the room that she watched get hit on the gun camera footage, and sighed. The body, what was left of it, was completely unrecognizable. Brunt to a crisp by thermite, by her guess. She quickly pulled out a small camera and snapped a picture silently. Footfalls were getting louder outside, making her swear. There had to be something useful around here! She pulled her goggles down and switched to the Electromagnetic Field mode. Nothing. She switched to active UHF sonar and noted the troops had entered the building. This was getting to be too hot and she had no doubt they were here for what she was looking for as well: The proverbial smoking gun. It was then that she had noted a strange shape on her goggles.

Allison looked down near a pile of rubble and saw something sticking out from under it. She took off the goggles and got a better look. It was too straight to just be some kind of pipe or rebar. She dug through it quickly and picked it up. A rifle. The scope was smashed and much of the receiver and handguard were bashed up. Still, it was all she had to go on for now. She slung it across her back and cinched the sling up to keep it from moving. There were shouts now, and the footsteps were getting way too close for comfort. She looked out into the alley and saw two guards looking at opposite ways. She backed up, and made a running leap out the window across to the adjacent building. She landed flat on her stomach and stayed completely still, listening to the voices and for other sounds heading her way.

---

"Fine." Sabrina growled, very unhappy and thinking up many choice words and phrases for when she'd see the Major-General again. She was already wishing she could just 'call' the Grand General here, knowing that her presence alone would cause Mr. Owards to stop and think more carefully about his words. In fact, she put a communique in on her PDA to bounce off the military SATCOMs and back home, notifying the Grand General of how little progress was being made and how she feared that further complications would get in the way of her other duties she was here for. She knew that the Grand General did not like such meetings, but perhaps they would take them more seriously if she made an appearance. Though she was rather dramatic at times, she felt that wouldn't matter in this instance.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Dustry Springs, Froxian Embassy Perimeter

She didn't jump a single second too early as the door to the room she had been in before swung open practically as soon as her stomach made contact with the ground on the adjacent building. Two Tundran troopers entered the room, carefully looking around wethe there was anything to see. One of them pointed out the bodies, saying in his native tongue:

["Look Vladimir, the Major was right. Seems like they actually got someone over here."]

The trooper referred to as Vladimir however didn't seem as excited as his younger comrade, his gaze turning to the ceiling...which practically didn't exist, having gotten annihilated by the 30mm shells of the Froxian APC. With an annoyed grunt he looked down at the torn and burned bodies again, spitting out:

["Not quite here but one floor higher up I guess. We're going to have to get the forensics team in and have them comb through this place with a toothbrush to see if there's anything of worth here."]

The younger trooper stepped closer to the bodies but didn't touch them, trying to look them over for any identifying marks but being unable to find any so he asked:

["They will find something, right?"]

["They better. I heard that the Major-General is putting a lot of pressure on the Major and she is being pressured from elsewhere. A lot of people want to see results and they want to see them now rather than soon."]

As he spoke, Vladimir had been moving towards the spot where Allison had found the rifle, something having caught his attention. A disturbed pile of rubble. He knelt down next to it just to get a better look and verify it but there was already no doubt on his mind. Someone had definitely been here after those two snipers got killed and had dug something out of that pile of rubble.

["Kid, go downstairs and tell the Major that we found the bodies as well as signs of someone tampering with the location. Prolly just looters but it's best he knows rightaway. Oh, and send me Sergei and Misha. I want them to watch the door."]

The younger rifleman quickly saluted before hurrying out of the room, leaving only Vladimir there who stood up and slowly walked over to the hole in the building through which Allison had jumped. He hung the KA-75 from his shoulder and rummaged in his pockets for a moment, producing a pack of cheap, black market cigarettes as well as a lighter. It didn't take him long to light the cigarette, pull down his face cover, put it into his mouth and then inhale and exhale a small cloud of smoke. He was content to wait there, on the edge, his eyes travelling from the embassy itself to the alley under them to the building Allison was on now.

Dusty Springs, Hermansfield Airport

"Excellent Major Rosenthal! Your troops, shortly after their arrival to the airport, where allowed to set up a small camp next to the field hospital Major-General Michitshina had erected on the airport. Primarily in case they had any wounded which I believe they had. Though from what I could observe many of them came out to meet you and your escorts when you arrived so you might find most of them at your airplane instead.

Of course we would VERY much like to be present and record such an interrogation, if you wish for one such thing to take place. We can even arrange for appropriate facilities for such activities rightaway. Otherwise you might have to excuse me, I would have to call for some personnel to act as support in an interrogation."

Personally Josh really hoped that the Froxian Major would just straight up decline. If she were to interrogate the Froxians on her own it'd give him the perfect excuse to weasel away and drag Elena back to do her damned job and help Major Lowenthal instead of prancing around wherever drinking vodka or something.

[Minroz]

Duty Springs, Hermansfield Airport

A magic portal appears between the Froxians, the Frontier and Tundrans. One can say the portal appeared seemingly out of the blue. Appearing out of the portal is a slender young man, dressed in his casual clothes. Appearances-wise, the stranger’s face and hairstyle resembles like the cat. At the very least, he seems to be looked human enough. However, his mannerisms indicate otherwise.

“I beg your pardon, ladies’ and gentlemen, did I interrupt your conversation? It looks like I did~.” said the young man with trace of East Asian-sounding accent.

“Oh, where are my manners, I am Agent Tömörkhüü of House Gökhjigin, one of Eight Great Houses of the Middle Kingdom. The Ministy of State Security (Guoanbu). I am sent here on behalf of my government in response to the…’commotion’ of our embassy. The Imperial Court wants answers~. So, whose here is in charge~? Most importantly…what have exactly has happened~?”

The way he carry himself out from the portal a minute ago, this makes it looked like he appears out of nowhere. Despite his polite words and tone, the way he spoke to the Froxians, Tundrans and Frontier people altogether, it’s as if he’s dismissive and haughty towards them. Notwithstanding in the era of modern age, many Minrozians regarded the worlds outside Iclamia as ‘backwater’ filled with ‘backward barbarians’. Tömörkhüü’s appearances might fool amateurs or those not familiar with the world of espionage or domestic security affairs, him being the sole agent of the dreaded Guoanbu indicated otherwise. There's more to him than meets the eye.

At least, he seems to be more polite than the Froxians nearby.

[Monfrox]

Hermansfield Airport, Dusty Springs

Major Rosenthal detested the man before her. Well, perhaps "detested" wasn't the correct term. "Hate", however, was too strong for this. Truly, she did not envy the man, but he was doing this to himself. She looked back to the Froxian aircraft parked on the tarmac just in time to see a magic portal form. A rather effeminate male stepped out and introduced himself as an agent of another country's State Security force. Sabrina's face betrayed her initial surprise as she kept her expression neutral during the man's questioning. When he was done, she slowly turned her head to look back at Mr. Owards. Well, it seemed that Monfrox wasn't the only one who had gotten the short end of the stick. Her look of detest shifted along with her tone to one of utter disappointment.

"It seems you bit off more than you could chew." She said. Sabrina had been about to call Sergeant Rotaru to come make sure that the Frontier diplomat wouldn't try to run off when she went to perform the interrogation, but it seemed that wasn't needed. "I will make for the interrogation. Do send that Major-General my way as soon as possible. Fail to do that, and I will have to regretfully involve the Grand General, and she doesn't like her time to be wasted."

From the aircraft, a small white pickup truck headed out the front gate.

Dustry Springs, Froxian Embassy
Allison fiddled with her TAC display to link to other devices in the area. She connected with Ashling O'Hare's of the RPRU that had been sent into the AO as her support should they need to do an assault or hostage rescue mid-transit. She typed out a small message and placed a waypoint on the overhead GPS map.

Code: Select all

>Evidence located and collected
>Retrieve immediately for on-site forensic analysis
>No intel on Enchanter's location yet
>Rendezvous at coordinates for pickup

With that sent out, she pulled her goggles back down to get a look at any other Tundrans around the immediate area. She saw she was being watched and that more troops were on their way into the building she just jumped from. Too late, boys. She pulled them off after noting a route out into the neighborhood and crawled across the floor until she was safely out of sight. With that done, Allison scaled out of a window and down the outside of the building onto the ground and made for the waypoint she had set, moving the rifle from her back and hiding it under the garments she had on. She was careful not to touch anything that would more than likely have fingerprints on it. She took a straight line through alleys and side streets, checking her surroundings every now and then to make sure she wasn't being followed or about to run into a patrol.

Eventually, she made it. A white pickup truck with similarly clothed figures was sitting in a dark shadow of an alleyway. Allison approached it from behind and made sure it was who she was waiting for. She rapped her knuckles on the window, causing the driver to quickly roll it down.

"Cross." Allison said.

"Shield." The figure replied.

Allison opened the back door and slide the acquired sniper rifle onto the back seat. She shut the door and went back to the driver.

"Make sure that gets back for analysis. It's our only lead as to who is behind this for now. I'll be in touch when I find out more."

"Roger."

Allison went back into the alley and disappeared around the corner. In a few minutes, Ashling started the truck back up and headed back towards the airport to drop off the evidence that had been retrieved. At least they were having more luck on their end than Major Rosenthal was.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Dustry Springs, Froxian Embassy Perimeter

Allison's actions went off without a hitch, no Tundrans obstructing her way in her building nor in the further neighbourhood of the embassy complex, leaving the Tundrans none the wiser as to what had actually happened. Or so it would seem...

["Looters? Sergeant, are you certain?"]

, the Major asked, kneeling down next to the small pile of disturbed rubble, his eyes frequently travelling from the pile to the bodies not far from it. Meanwhile Vladimir stood by the door, hands clasped behind his back as he tried to be as still as possible, merely answering:

["Yes, Major Groznyi. You know these Dunepeople, we've seen them looting anything they got their hands on in the past few days, it's likely the same here."]

The Major sighed, rubbing his eyes before dejectedly stating:

["For your sake I hope you are wrong. Trying to track something down among the locals now is close to impossible and we are getting pressure from above to get this done. Any news on the ETA of the forensics team?"]

Before Vladimir could answer, the door flew open and another Tundran trooper rushed in, accidentally half-running into Vladimir and causing both of them to stumble for a moment. Despite being clearly out of breath and panting heavily, the young trooper quickly straightened himself and saluted, shouting:

["Major Groznyi, sir! The patrols have reported in, as you commanded! No unauthorized entry or exit during their shift-"]

["Well fuck!"]

, Groznyi shouted, throwing his hands in the air before turning to Vladimir and the young trooper.

["There goes the last chance of actually solving this quickly! We don't even know what we are looking for and even if we did, we'd have to go through the entire population of this city with a fine toothed comb! Not to mention the fact that they could've left the city by now!"]

The two Tundran troopers tried to make themselves as small as possible, trying to evade Groznyi's rage as the Major set out on a tirade about neglect, the Dunepeople and weakness. Eventually the younger trooper tried to pipe up, squeaking:

["B-b-but one guard has not reported in, Major, sir, despite repeated hails."]

These news shut the Major up incredibly quickly, the man just looking at the trooper, one of his eyes twitching while a vein on his temple bulged and deflated. Slowly he got back up and went over to where the wall had caved in, looking over to the house on the opposite side. Thoughtfully he asked:

["You said nobody passed you and your men, sergeant?"]

["None, Major."]

An idea of what had happened started taking shape in the Major's head. And he didn't like the idea. Someone had been here not so long ago and, either on entry or exit of the perimeter, had taken out one of his men. Given that Vladimiar had not met anyone, they had likely jumped to the opposite building and escaped from there. Now, all of this didn't sound like something that looters could or would do. No looter would take out a Tundran guard unless left with no other option. Not to mention their likely lack of ability to do so in the first place. Besides, what was there to take from the bodies of two shredded snipers anyways?

It led to an uncomfortable conclusion. Someone was cleaning up evidence. Which meant that there was likely something else, something bigger at work here than just the Al-Hamdu.

["Sergeant, take your men and search the building next door. It is likely that whoever was here slipped through there, right under your nose. Private, get a search going for our missing man. Let's hope he's still alive."]

Both troopers saluted before hastily leaving the room, leaving Major Groznyi alone. The man quickly fished a mobile phone out of his pocket and quickly dialed a number. He was connected almost immediately and merely asked:

"Did someone get to crime scene before us?"

Dusty Springs, Hermansfield Airport

To say that Owards was surprised and showed it was an understatement. The man literally jumped aside in shock as the portal materialized, his hands scrambling for a sidearm that wasn't there. He did calm down slightly however once Tömörkhüü stepped out and did not show any signs of hostility...well, aside from a certain air of arrogance about himself but what could one do.

"Ah, y-yes, the Middle Kingdom. My apologies, for the lack of a proper welcome Sir Tömörkhüü of House Gökhjigin, we were not expecting you, especcially not like this."

Josh winced when the Minrozian mentioned the 'commotion' and asked a bunch of other questions, none of which reflected on Josh any better here, before Major Rosenthal. Trying to sound as apologetic as possible, he immediately tried to calm the foreign emissary, saying:

"Well, Sir Tömörkhüü, I am the civilian governour of the Dune Sea, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My military counterpart has absconded for the moment, likely to oversee important operations. As for what has happened...we are still trying to find out. So far all signs point to a planned escalation of originally peaceful protests, taking advantage of our lowered military presence int he area. Strong sentiments against foreigners boiled over and the local population, combined with what we believe to have been insurgent elements, appears to have attacked embassies, corporate headquarters and everything else that seemed to be in the possession of foreigners.

If I dare to make an assumption, I would guess the Insurgents have captured the embassy stuff to blackmail the respective governments of Monfrox and the Middle Kingdom to exert pressure on the authorities to pull out of the Dune Sea. Of course, this is merely an assumption from my side."

He didn't need to see Major Rosenthal to know that all of this had likely just enraged her further. Yet another failure she added to his tab, not to mention that, as a military woman, she seemed to hold very little respect for a bureaucrat suchas him anyway. However, much to his surprise she didn't push too hard, her tone being more one of disappointment than of actual contempt. And while he did wish to correct her in that they had bitten off nothing here, he decided that it was best to be quiet in this matter as he was certain any pushback against Major Rosenthal was just going to get her back to detesting him.

Of course she still had to threaten him with even more pressure from above.

"I will search for her personally right this instant."

, he quickly stated, being all too willing to get the hell away from Rosenthal before she tore his head off or something. He also turned towards Tömörkhüü, briefly inclining his head before the Minrozian before apologizing:

"I wish I could familiarize you more in depth with the current situation but as you can probably see, I have pressing matters to attend to and am absolutely not qualified to talk about the kind of details you and Major Rosenthal require.

However, I do believe that the same group of perpetrators stands behind the escalation of the riots as well as the embassy attacks so I believe you and Major Rosenthal from Monfrox will be working together, tracking down the same group with us to ensure the speedy and safe rescue of the ambassadors. I am certain it would be to everyone's advantage if the two of you familiarized yourself with each other's modus operandi and current situation. The Major's embassy detail might also have details concerning our insurgents that could be of use to both investigations.

Now excuse me, I have a Major-General to find."

The Western Frontier governour bowed slightly before the two one last time before turning on his heels and hurrying away the way he believed Major-General Michitshina to have left, trying to walk as dignified as he possibly could while also trying to be quick about the whole ordeal.

[Minroz]

Dusty Springs, Hermansfield Airport

“Understandable, I don’t blame you if things went beyond your control, governor. Sometimes, it can be inevitable. But most importantly, how are we going to deal with the fallout and resolved them~? Which is why I’m here to help smooth things over or what was your people’s saying, ‘get the job done’, is it~?” Tömörkhüü quipped, maintaining his cat-like smile.

By the time he finished, a big portal appears on the runway, popping out two vehicles. It is actually a convoy of two grey-coloured SUVs of local ‘Toyota’ models, or at least resembled like Toyotas. Apparently, these vehicles were actually driven by Minrozian operatives themselves. They’re part of response team upon called to support their fellow Minrozians in Dune Springs. What their allies didn’t know is they’re members of Special Tasks Group – the elite special forces of Minrozian Army, comprised of the best of the best the soldiers of the Middle Kingdom can offer. As for their presence, certain events have warranted them to be boots on the ground.

The leader of the group turns out to be a red-headed woman of Eurasian heritage. She’s captain Ts’ang Aixia, assigned with the mission of rescuing the kidnapped Ambassador. Nevertheless, she seemed to be casual about everything around her. She’s not alone, Aixia is accompanied by a brunette man who seems to share the age group as her. He’s actually her 2IC of the team and her husband, Sergeant-Major Ding Shanjin. To prove that they’re combat operatives, they’re armed with their assault rifles, knives and pistols on them.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman. We’re the Minrozians. I’m Captain Ts’ang of His Imperial Majesty’s services. Special Forces if you will.” Aixia introduced herself to both Frontier-Tundran folks. “May I inquire who is in charge here?”

She and her husband seemed earnest, pleasant and professional. When the couple spotted Tömörkhüü, they made a slight frown as if they’re not thrilled to see him in person. It’s as if they knew his true face. Regardless, the two Spec-Ops operatives gave their nods of silent acknowledgments to Tömörkhüü, which he made his Cheshire cat smile in response.

[Monfrox]

Hermansfield Airport, Dusty Springs

Major Rosenthal watched as Mr. Owards ran off like a dog with its tail between its legs, scolded by its master. Or maybe it was more like a chicken trying to get out of the coop that was overrun with foxes. Either way, she did not envy him, nor pity him. She immediately headed out for the airfield's field hospital that was being manned by the local Tundran garrison. She walked in right past them, blowing the guards off without a second thought (much to their chagrin) and looked until she found a few soldiers in a familiar uniform in their own side room. One had a bandage around her head that was also wrapped down over her eye. She opened the door and stepped in quietly, closing it behind her.

"Ladies." She greeted them.

There were a few with minor velocity wounds and one hooked up to an IV suffering from heat stroke and dehydration. The Major feared she was a recent heat casualty, noting that Froxians were not used to operating in a desert environment with its heat and sun. She hoped they had been making use of the sunscreen, but made a mental note to inform her superiors in her after action report that it may be best to develop a designated desert sunscreen for the future. The soldier with her eye missing was her immediate concern as she pulled up a chair to her.

"How are you feeling, Private?"

"I'm okay, ma'am..." Private Sileenka replied, a bit slowly.

"They give you anything for the pain?"

"Yes ma'am. I'm just trying to keep at a minimal readiness."

"Good. We'll get you home, don't worry. We'll even get you a new eye so you won't have to worry about that."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"But I need you to tell me about the attack."

Elsewhere outside, the RPRU's white pickup returned to the airfield. It was one of two that was to roam around in odd patterns, trying to blend in and avoid foreign military patrols. It rolled through and right up to the C-130 parked on the ramp. SFC Ashling O'Hare stepped out and took the rifle in, hiding it under her cloak until she was inside the hold. There was a woman currently repairing Ms. Wodarska, who had definitely seen better days.

" 'Ow long til she's fit for full?" O'Hare asked, putting the rifle gingerly on the woman's workbench.

"Could be a week for all I know." She replied.

"A week?"

"Or I could have her running by tonight if I had something to keep me going." The woman flashed a devilish smile at the Sergeant First Class.

"Aye, I got ye. Ah'll be back with someting fer ya. Oh, and uh, that rifle there is evidence, so you'll need to work yer magic on that too."

"Always keeping me busy, don't you? Y'know, you Spec ops types are all the same. Always-"

O'Hare didn't hear the rest of the woman's rant as she walked back out to the truck, got in, and drove off. Allison was still out there and she may need more help.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Dusty Springs, Hermansfield Airport

Finding the Major-General was simple, even for a man such as Josh. He managed to spot her easily enough standing on the outside walkway of the control tower, likely observing the airfield and probably having a laugh about him. Well, she'd stop laughing once he'd have made her confront that damned Froxian.

The Guards and staff let him through without raising a fuss but it still was quite a way he had to go, the Frontiersman arriving at his destination only about twenty minutes later, nodding at the staff working in the control tower before stepping outside to meet the Major-General. Now, he wouldn't necessarily say that he was in bad shape, quite the opposite in fact but his smoking habits had done a slight number on his lungs, causing him to wheeze slightly when he got up close behind her. He could see she was on a radio but it wasn't like he cared that much. She had had plenty of time now to take whatever radio calls she needed while he had had to deal with the foreigners.

His hands landed on the safety railing, heavily so she could hear it and guess at his mood before he stated coldly:

"Why hello there Major-General Michitshina. I hope the view of me getting literally flayed alive by the foreigners was satisfactory?"

If she noticed his mood then she didn't betray it, instead lowering her radio but still staring down at the airfield, watching a vehicle that was clearly not one of their own return to airfield and head to the Froxian aircraft while some more vehicles which had arrived from strange portals set out to wherever they wanted to go. Likely check their own embassy.

"Major Groznyi reported from the Froxian Embassy. They've found the corpses of some of the initial attackers. He's already called for a forensics team. No news from the Minrozian Embassy other than it having been a bloodbath and literal battlefield."

Oh why such perfect news. But atleast they were some bloody news, news that she had withheld from him by not being there herself, news for the lack of which he had taken fire from the damned Froxian. And at this point this was likely not enough to satisfy Major Rosenthal anyway. She would expect far more results now that he not only didn't have a lot to show at first but even went to get someone else. He made sure that she could hear his dissatisfaction this time:

"That is all? Is that why ran away with your tail between your legs like some coward? I swear, if your father saw you he'd be ashamed to-"

He didn't get any further, the Tundran Major-General spinning around on the spot and grabbing the Frontier Governour by his collar and roughly pushing him against the safety railing, his back already dangerously leaning over the abyss below as the metal creaked dangerously. Her voice was low but razor sharp and her eyes, despite still being surrounded by deep eyerings, sent him a glare of steel:

"Do. Not. Mention. Parents. Say again and you can say greeting own parents again."

She then let him go again, much to Josh's relief, the man having already seen his life flash before his eyes. Not that he thought the Tundran could get away with it but then again, when did that ever keep the Tundrans from going through with something? Either way, he was most happy to survive this little encounter and promptly went to righting his tie again before asking:

"Very well then. Major Rosenthal as well as Sir Tömörkhüü are currently likely at the field hospital we set up for the wounded embassy staff and other foreigners. Especcially the Froxian Major has requested your presence and will likely bring down the heavens on us if you don't show up there pronto. And I will make sure you show up."

Michitshina merely glared at him again before huffing and saying:

"OK. We will be there soon. But not long, I have work to do."

[Monfrox]

Dusty Springs, Hermansfield Airport

"I don't know what all happened. It was so fast." Private Sileenka said, sitting up a bit straighter. "Sergeant Rotaru wrote up her own after-action report but she hasn't been able to submit it yet since we're still technically in country. But what I found was that the entire security gate detail was wiped out. None of them radioed in what was happening. I was on perimeter patrol at the time with a few other girls. I came around to see the gunner in the Humvee slumped over and the two at the gate on the ground. We found the driver and passenger dead in their seats. After I radioed in that the front gate was down, that's when I got shot. The Sergeant came over and helped me into one of the vehicles and we took off for the airport."

Major Rosenthal nodded in deep thought. The Humvee's had bullet-proof windshields, but they were only rated for shrapnel, pistols, and small caliber rifle rounds. They hadn't anticipated needing to use them for anything outside of transport, and the Rosomak was there for anything that was truly dangerous. That meant that they were attacked with high-powered rifles of some sort, maybe even using armor-piercing rounds. Luckily, they sent the Humvee back and had forensics analysts working on that. For now, Sabrina stood up and looked over the other two soldiers.

"You ladies will be just fine, here. I've gotta go talk to some more people and see if we can't figure out just what happened."

And with that, she left the medical tent.

Dusty Springs, Streets

Allison was back outside the wire again and made her way through the town as quickly as possible. She had another place to try investigating: the sewers. Apparently, the tertiary extraction through the underground had been botched by enemy contacts, so Allison wanted to know just who and what was down there that caused Ms. Wodarska to get so fucked up. She doubted that she'd really find anything, but she had to try. The problem was circumventing the Tundrans, who, she observed, were getting froggy. No doubt they found out one of their troops had been subdued, leading them to be suspicious. But that was fine, as she didn't need to go into the Embassy. If the security detail did their job right, which they said they did, all physical records and servers were destroyed or secured. Cecylia and Ms. Wodarska made it to the sewers without complication, but then ran into their snag.

Allison found a service entrance that was supposed to be where the pair would've came up to the surface from and quickly slipped in. She stowed her disguise at the top of the entrance on the other side of the door. She drew her Mk.23 and held it at the ready, moving into the tunnels. At the bottom of the steps, she pulled her goggles over her eyes and switched to night-vision before poking her head out around the corner. She didn't think the Tundrans would put patrols here to investigate, but she could never be too careful. Besides, there could be others here that weren't Tundrans. She needed to find out what the hell happened, and fast.