It was a clear day with favorable winds. It was uncommon to have such a clear day like this in the kingdom of Astra given the amount of rain it gets. However, that wasn't on the minds of these soldiers in this C-17, the largest transport aircraft in the US military's arsenal. All everyone could hear was the sound of buzzing and rumbling throughout the plane. In the cockpit, the pilots were speaking through their headsets.

"This is grey leader, we are approaching our designated targets. Giving the red light for the shoots. I repeat, giving the red light for the shoots." This plane was one of five C-17's which were heading towards the drop point near cultivation city. Although it was called cultivation city, it was more accurate to classify it as a town in this era.

A red light appeared throughout the plane and two commanders stood up. They shouted and made a couple of hand gestures and everyone stood up in unison. For the first time in nearly 70 years, these paratroopers were to conduct an operation in war time since World War two. One of the planes personnel opened the side door of the plane and let in the screaming sound of the planes engine and the bright light. The C-17 was so massive, that two of these doors were places on opposite sides of the plane.

People throughout the plane were screaming commands and giving hand signals as they prepare for the jump. However, everyone looked calm and ready. The plane personnel started counting off with his hand before the green light lit and the first soldier began to jump off the plane.

From the outside, many troops can be seen to be falling out of the plane flawlessly without pause. It was a magnificent sight to see hundreds of men falling out of the sky into the fields, albeit with parachutes to make the landing less fatal.

Eventually, the five C-17's flew off into the distance, flying back to an airbase in Guam. All the soldiers were part of a massive battalion equaling to roughly 500 soldiers on the ground. This mission was being led by Lieutenant Colonel Dennis. The battalion was made up of smaller company's of around 100 men. The battalion's mission was to hold key positions around the town of cultivation.

A main force would arrive two days from now at the earliest since there was little infrastructure or logistics in the kingdom which would help. The army back at the royal eastern capital had to set up everything from building a base with fuel, lodging, and a command center. Any air support besides large bombing campaigns were not going to happen.

Lieutenant Colonel Dennis gathered up the leaders of each company. They had set up a makeshift table with a map. The map had marked out distinct areas which need protecting until the main force can arrive. The areas marked in red circles were marked as villages. "Command has deemed it necessary to occupy these villages and fend off any attackers until the main group arrives."

"Are we expecting heavy resistance?" One of the company leaders asked.

"There may or may not be raiding party's to obtain food or abduct people. From what our intelligence has gathered, skirmishes are going to be frequent around sieges in this era. So keep your vigilance. However, they should only be equipped with melee weapons or bow and arrow armaments. Nonetheless, you know what to do. Hold these positions until relief comes."

The company commanders nodded and went to form their groups. There were seven villages that were marked on the map. The company leaders appropriately split up their forces to occupy the marked villages. The battalion leader would be occupying the most central village.

Eagle company was one company that traveled to one of the marked villages. When they arrived at the village, they noticed that it was chaotic. Men in armor riding horses were running around the village. They were far from the chivalry of knights or even any order. It was more accurate to describe them as looters or bandits, terrorizing the village.

The village looked like it had no defenses whatsoever.

"Heh, messing around with these lowlifes is pretty fun. Captain, how long are we staying?"

The captain of the besieging scouting force was contemplating as he was surveying. "Lets survey the houses to get all of their food. Once we do that, we can mess around for a while before setting off. There shouldn't be any Eastern region knights for at least a couple of days. Those Easterner's are quite slow compared to the mighty western region."

"Yes captain." His attendant smiled. Their men continued to rob and go through the village's houses in broad daylight. The men would be killed if they resisted while some women were being taken. One father was struggling with a knight who was trying to take his daughter away.

"Stop struggling you low life!"

"Dad stop! He's going to kill you!"

The daughter was terrified and crying while the father was struggling with the soldier. Scenes like this were uncommon, as no person wanted to lose their life. However, the thought of losing loved ones was too unbearable for some.

As the knight brandished his sword while the daughter pleaded, a loud bang rang out and a small red cloud of blood appeared from the knight. The knight looked down and saw himself bleeding. "Wha-" Another loud bang rang out before he lost all strength. The knight then fell onto the dirt path and started to form a pool of dark red blood. The father and daughter were stunned at what happened, still covering their ears.

Another two knights nearby noticed their dead comrade. "What the hell did you two do!" The other two knights also brandished their swords, however a couple louder bangs broke out and the two knights collapsed onto the ground, forming their own pools of blood.

The father and daughter could only look at the scene in front of them, completely frozen.

Soon, they saw a couple of strangely dressed men appear out of nowhere silently from the side of their house. The men looked at the father and daughter. "Get in your house and stay there!" One of the men in spotted clothing said in a stern tone.

The father and daughter woke out of their idleness and moved into their house. The father and daughter couldn't help but peek outside to see what was going on. They saw that there was a flow of men following behind the couple they just saw.

This scene played out around the village as Eagle company moved throughout the village to clear out the western regions knights. Soon, the company encountered the main force of the western regions scouting party.

"Captain, there are about 70 men in that party. It also looks like they rounded up some of the villagers. Although..."

"What?'

"Most of them look to be women."

"So fire control then?"

"Yes. They don't appear to have any ranged weapons as in the report. However, they seemed to have noticed the strange situation in the village. They are trying to leave now I believe."

The two commanded their company. "Take out the western region scouting party. Take caution with civilians in their group."

Eagle company began their main attack. Loud claps of gunfire broke out and started taking out the western region's knights quickly. The knights were panicking at the attack and were brandishing their swords to attack, however many just fell after being shot.

Grouping up all their forces in the center of the village made it easy for the company to eliminate them in one fell swoop.

Some of the horsemen ran off while others also ran away at this sight. The only things left were all the goods they were going to cart away. Some women in the center were tied up and terrified at the bodies around them. When they saw Eagle company come out into the center of the village seemingly out of nowhere, they were even more terrified.

These villagers only knew that men who fought were never a good thing. They knew they could only rely on their neighbors. However, villages were weak and had no defenses. Maybe some militia, but they wouldn't dare try to fight against seasoned warriors.

That is why they cannot do anything if the men have unjust demands. This was why most villagers were terrified of the new knights which took over the village.

Eagle company started to recover some order in the village. The village wasn't very big. At most it only had 300 people. A couple of soldiers began walking towards the women in the center. The women were preparing themselves, however they were relieved to see the soldiers undoing the ropes around their hands.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" As the soldiers were working on releasing the women by cutting off the ropes. Many of the women just thanked them and ran off towards their houses while others were crying. It was a somber scene.

The first lieutenant of Eagle company ran up to the captain. "Captain, we have released all of the women, however..."

"Give them some time. Its not everyday where someone almost takes you away from your home. But have we found the village leader?"

"The village leader is in that building over there."

"Let's head over"

The two of them headed towards a wooden house with straw as a roof. There were many people surrounding it. As the two approached, the villagers made way for the strangely dressed men. "Are you the leader of this village?"

The man looked at the first lieutenant and Captain, observing their demeanor and clothing.

"Yes, I am. Do you need something?"

"We were sent from the eastern region to aid in king Charles effort to restore stability to the region. Our mission is to occupy and defend this village until our main forces arrive."

"Occupy?" The villagers expressions sank a little at the thought. An occupying force is always considered a strain on village resources and food. After hearing this remark, the villagers didn't see the men in a different light.

The captain and lieutenant looked around. The captain spoke. "We won't need any supplies from the village. Our mission is to just hold this village and prevent the western region from taking it. I can also promise you that our soldiers will do no wrong to any person in this village."

The village leader couldn't quite believe the captain. There would usually be nothing to stop an occupying force from committing crimes which are normally forbidden in huge towns. The villagers were obviously relieved at the captains promise, however the village leader couldn't even fathom at how or why he would make such a promise. However, the village leader did not want to argue.

"If that is the case, then I thank you. Is there anything else you need?"

"I think that's everything. Well then, I will take my leave for today."

The two left the room and the village council started talking to the leader.

"Leader, why did you allow them to stay? They look very strange and weird. I would have taken my chances with the western region. At least they looked a little normal."

While the council was voicing their doubts, the village leader spoke. "Haven't you noticed?

"What?" One of the council members replied.

"Their armor."

"Oh yes, their armor looks interesting. The cloth must have been expensive, however what of it? It's just some strange armor."

"The key isn't the armor itself, but all of their attire. Haven't you noticed. All of their knights are wearing the same pieces of armor. Regardless if they have different standings, they all have the same pieces of armor! Its very unlikely that all of them have noble backgrounds, and even if they were, their armor pieces would be designed to look different to stand out. This uniformity is just strange don't you think?"

"Village leader, what are you trying to get at here?"

"These people might be different than any army we have seen up till now. If their highest ranking soldier is dressed the same, it can only mean that every soldier in their unit is important. They don't have the individuality or pride like any high ranking officer I have ever met, they seem to prioritize something else. But my decision stands. "

"Yes village leader."

And so as the day goes by, the soldiers of Eagle company dig in for the night.