General John McIntire stood watching the blood bath. His forces had already taken the center field of the arena. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of enemy dead littered the ground. Including not a few of the large lizard creatures the Emerpitor had called wyverns. Smaller poisonous dragons according to Cranton’s report.

The Emperitor now stood, numb, watching the blood bath. He had yelled at first, shouted, raged, even threatened John’s safety. Accused John of having no honor, then of having bad blood, or being mentally insane. That the cost to both their forces was estnounding in such a duel. That the dual would bankrupt them both surely! He had begged, bargoned, and finally pleaded with John.

The entire time John had stood there and listened, while watching the dual. Giving no indication what he was thinking. Then finally, he had gone quiet and watched in horror as John just kept pouring money and resources and men into the battlefield. What had started as a small-scale unit sized engagement now encompassed hundreds of U.S. troops, both Rangers and regular infantry, and perhaps thousands of the Dragon Emperors host.

“Major Cranton, bring me the radio” John said, turning slightly to his intel officer. The man complied and handed him the radio they had used to communicate with those stuck in the ‘dual’ arena. “Lt. Brown, do you copy?”

“Yes sir, this is Lt. Brown. Orders General?”

“End this please.”

“Yes, General.”