Nix stared at the Holo, for a moment. He felt Shae's arm on his. "What do you think Shae?"

"I stand ready for orders, Breach Commander." Shae's brown eyes glowed with warmth, "I am so pleased right now, I can hardly stand it.

Three huds popped up on his Battle Holo at the same time. All three of them were armored men with small horns that jutted out of their foreheads. Nix realized right away, they were Dragonspawn.

/Breach Commander Mtui: A Breach Commander from the lower planes, this is amazing.

/Breach Commander Renz: Welcome Commander Nix.

/Breach Commander Polai: We are standing by if you need it, Commander Nix, we won't let you be defeated in your first battle.

/Breach Commander Nix: I appreciate the support. I will keep you apprised.

All three Commander huds blinked off at the same time. He turned his attention back to the Deployment Menu, everything was still grayed out except for the 'Prepare for Battle' Icon. Nix selected it.

[Prepare a statement for your Allies: Nix considered it for a moment and then spoke honestly: My forces stand at the threshold of a great battle and are in need of support. I call upon all my allies to prepare for battle!]

/Breach Commander Nix: My forces stand at the threshold of a great battle and are in need of support. I call upon all my allies to prepare for battle!

Nix glanced at Shae's hud, she had received the message. She gave him the thumbs up. Almost immediately the Ally Icons on his Deployment hud started lighting up. He pulled up the Miscellaneous tab and read down the list of occupants. On the Battle Holo, he selected an empty spot right next to the 12th stage platform and made a selection.

[Breach Deployment: Miscellaneous]

Chiba

Hyai

Shi

Severance

The air over the spot he selected seemed to pull apart and four individuals stepped through the Breach. All four of them joined Inferno on the platform.

/Breach Commander Nix: I want you four to stay close to me.

All the Allied tabs were lit up, Nix selected Ranged Fighters from the pull-down menu.

[Available Ranged Fighters]

2) Knights of Colonial: Glory (100)

5) Earth Temple Acolytes (200)

6) Air Palace Acolytes (3000)

7) Gemini Palace Acolytes (52)

8) Central Kingdom 1st Regiment (2000)

9) Ain'Dhassi Inferno Rangers: Captain Locas (300)

Nix placed the ranged fighters three across and two deep at the rear of the Battlefield map. He pursed his lips for a moment and then selected the Deploy Icon. An Instant later they stepped through a Breach on the battlefield and took their positions.

/Inferno: Ronnie: I'm so excited right now, I just hope I don't piss myself.

/Inferno: Sharl: Please shut up Ronnie.

There were only two other types of fighters on the pull-down tab, Mounted and Melee/Magic. Nix selected the Mounted first.

10) Broyan Alliance: Heavy Cavalry 1st, 2nd & 3rd Regiments. (3500)

Nix placed them on the front line dead center from the 12th-floor platform. When they stepped through the Breach he moved to the last menu.

The last selection on the pull-down menu was Melee/Magic.

1) Alpha Team (4)

3) Souza Accord (250)

4) Fire Palace Acolytes (30)

11) Captain Vooni's Fire Team (4)

12) 12 Pillar Alliance (330)

*******************

Vooni was drilling with her team when she saw the Breach notice, immediately she readied her team.

/Fire: Vooni: Two minutes and we have to be ready.

/Fire: Omak: Who is Breach Commander Nix?

/Fire: Aja: Yeah, check out the notification.

/Fire: Nunzo: Could it be a mistake?

An instant later Breach Commander Mtui appeared on their huds. "A new Breach Commander has appeared on the Lower plane of Colonial, he is involved in a difficult battle and has called upon his allies. You have my permission to respond."

Vooni's dark eyes showed her surprise. "A Breach Commander? Why are we listed as allies?"

"Breach Command Nix is Pon the Magnificent." Commander Mtui stared at them through the hud, "Special Bonus Mission, complete it successfully and this team will immediately pass into the next phase of training." His image disappeared a moment later without saying anything else.

/Fire: Vooni: You heard him! We can't fail!

/Fire: Aja: Damn... Pon the Magnificent, I thought the name was a joke.

/Fire: Omak: Guess again.

******************

Nix placed the Melee/Magic group directly in front of Inferno, between them and the Mounted fighters.

/Breach Commander Nix: Sulane and Gideon, split the 12 Pillar Forces between the two of you and assume the position of Sub-Commanders.

Nix waved at his friends from the Fire Team. Vooni led them toward the platform and saluted crisply.

/Breach Commander Nix: Captain Vooni, there are at least three Aquarion Archons on their side. Your task is to neutralize them.

/Inferno: Nix: Alpha Team, please join us on the Platform.

/Breach Commander Nix: Thank you, everyone, for responding. Inferno's mission here is the destruction of an Artifact that is located across the Battlefied on the raised platform. With your help that will happen. Three minutes and we will start.

/Inferno: Nix: Junie, I'll leave Inferno in your hands. We could fly in, but the potential to be shot down is too high.

/Inferno: Jun Li: Okay Nix, what's the plan then?

/Inferno: Nix: Soften them up with our Ranged fighters. Then the mounted fighters will punch a hole right through the middle.

/Inferno: Semmi: The 12 Pillars will follow them?

/Inferno: Nix: Exactly right, they'll hold the crease our cavalry created long enough for us to get to the Steps on the far side of the Battlefield.

Nix found Hyai standing next to Fajii and Shae. "You up for this Hyai?"

The tall Innkeeper nodded. "I am. Just take care of yourself."

Fajii placed a hand on Hyai's shoulder. "Don't worry Nix, we sisters will watch each other's back."

Hyai nodded in agreement. "And we will fight."

[Whisper: Mina to Nix] When I saw their numbers I thought the day was lost.

[Whisper: Nix to Mina] I did make a promise, right?

[Whisper: Mina to Nix] What do you want me to do?

[Whisper: Nix to Mina] Stay close to me, use the Eel-Gators to defend the two of us.

[Whisper: Mina to Nix] Anything else?

[Whisper: Nix to Mina] Yes. When I clear the top of that platform, destroy the Cai'Song Artifact.

[Whisper: Mina to Nix] I will.

/Breach Commander Nix: Fajii, please buff our Forces.

Fajii nodded and moved forward on the Staging Platform.

[Deep-Sea Trident]

Her weapon appeared in her hand, she held it over her head as she cast.

[Flaming Rock Wall]

A Weightless Rock Wall is now protecting the Breach Commanders Forces.

[Charred Rock Blade]

The Weapons of your forces throb with the power of Scorched Earth.

Finally, Nix turned toward his Spirit Companions, he stopped and stared when he saw them. Morti radiated pure power, he looked like he gained a few hundred pounds of muscle and would probably stand close to 20 feet tall on his back legs. Nix scratched his enormous head when the bear flopped on the his belly with a ground-shaking thud. "You and I are going to reach that platform Morti."

Morti nodded in agreement. "Look how big my paws are now. I'm gonna swat my way there."

"I don't doubt it." Nix turned toward Ducky, she seemed to have shrunk a bit. Her long blue hair had turned into a short spiked Pixie cut. Her blue eyes were still the same color, but they looked more human. "You ready Ducky?"

Ducky nodded, "what should I do?"

"Stay out of sight and make a difference whenever you can." He patted her head gently and lowered his voice. "Protect Mina if they attack her directly."

*********************

[1430 Mermaid City: Cai'Song Battlefield]

/Breach Commander Nix: Ranged Fighters, Ready your weapons!

/Breach Commander Nix: FIRE!