Everyone overlooking the battlefield as the dust cleared had their jaws drop in shock as they watched the two make out. They hadn’t known each other before this morning and who just starts rolling around groping at each other in the middle of an explosion, let alone a battle. The Kirizians were even more surprised than the Free Nation soldiers. They had expected all of Jason and his men to be obliviated, but instead, they found them unscathed, and appearing to mocking them with their complete disregard for them. Meanwhile, Jason’s men were concerned. This morning that woman had been an enemy, but now she seemed to have gotten extremely close to their leader. it hadn’t been the first time that their leader had taken interest in a female of hostile parties, but no one said anything to him. His ability to make friends of his enemies was at the heart of the rapid growth of the Free Nation. Where Chris had brought fear and tyranny Jason brought friendship and liberty. It was concerning to his people. One day it would backfire. He would be betrayed and it would be a great blow to the Free Nation. They could only hope that it wouldn’t happen any time soon.

The more pressing concern was not so much that the two were making out, perhaps getting far to close than they should be getting, but rather that the place they had chosen to go on their romp was not the safest place in the world. Before one of Jason’s Lieutenant’s called for a squad to go retrieve Jason and his new conquest a platoon of Krizians were already being dispatched towards the two. The squad members broke formation deciding that getting to Jason was more important than looking like a professional army. It wasn’t necessary, but there is no harm in giving them more time to prepare. Jason and the Krizian woman was closer to the Free Nation camp than they were to the Krizian encampment which made it quick to go to them.

Normally, neither of the two would behave in this manner. It was questionable whether even Xev would start making out with someone in the middle of a full on battle, but they had both lost themselves in the moment. The Krizian woman had slammed against the ground, cushioned by Gabi’s layer of slime. She was followed by Jason, who she was all but glued to at that moment. He landed between her legs, the force of the explosion and gravity forcing him to press himself on top of her. As he came down on top of her, their lips lined up and they pressed against each other. The heat of the explosion washed over them, but they were unaffected. Jason’s ARMS armor shield was doing its job, though just barely. The field wavered, not enough to cause the three within its safe embrace, but enough to allow the heat of the air to be felt. Jason’s first instinct was to apologize and pull away. Without thinking he places his hands on the Krizian woman’s chest to push himself up. In the past, his mind would have caught up to him and he’d have felt extremely embarrassed as he pulled away even faster, making himself out to be insecure in himself, but even if he was still like that, he didn’t get the chance. Jason’s hands slid off of the Krizian woman’s breasts. They were slick with Gabi’s slime body wrapping around her nude form. Once more Jason collapsed on top of her. Despite the unexpected drop he was able to keep from once more letting his lips contact hers by a hair’s breadth. They were eye to eye, staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity as the dust and dirt whirled above them in the heat of the aftermath of the explosion. Their eyes locked, transfixed one one another as if they were the only people in the universe. An ineffable feeling passed between them and that was all that it took. They were all over each other, their hands groping at each others’ bodies. It was a bit awkward with Jason in armor and one wonders what was going through the mind of Gabi what with being a fluid medium that they both found themselves suspended within. Luckily for her, the squad of soldiers from the Free Nation soon interrupted them with a cough to get their attention, “Sir?”

At the sound of the soldier’s voice, the two, Jason and the Krizian woman, paused and looked up at the soldier. Jason gave a chuckle and a smile, realizing what he had done, dumbfounded as to what possessed him. Trying to relieve a bit of awkwardness the soldier cleared his throat, “Sir, the enemy approaches,” he said stiffly while pointing to the Krizian forces marching towards them. With that, Jason got to his feet taking care not to try to use the woman’s ample chest as support. She too quickly stood. Jason prepared himself to re-enter the fray while the woman stood by not sure what to do. All that she had owned, down to the very clothes on her back had just been destroyed and she surely couldn’t return to her home. That would only end in a death sentence for her. Also, with her lacking any weapons or armor, she couldn’t fight alongside Jason which had become her desired prospect. Her entire network of allegiances had changed. Before, there was a possibility that if her attempts at getting away from the Krizian Empire failed she could argue that she was just acting to get intelligence on them, but she’d hoped that she could get as far away from the Krizians as possible and she’d betray the Free Nation just as quickly when the time was right, but after being saved, and snogged, by Jason she didn’t know why, but now she desired to fight with him.

“They’ll keep coming if we don’t stop them here,” the woman said.

Jason believed that they could handle the new wave of Krizian soldiers, but two things weighed on his mind. The bombs that they had just experienced were likely equipped on every one of their soldiers, why else with this scout’s ARMS device be rigged if it weren’t a default for their gear to have it. That meant, if they won the area would receive even more damage. It wasn’t a huge issue, but if it was going to happen it would be better to put it to some good use if he could. The other issue was that Chris had likely already sent word to troops to gather on this location. They could eliminate this wave and even though the ARMS weapons would hold out, it wasn’t certain that his people could. This was both sides’ first major conflict and the enemy didn’t have to worry about troop exhaustion. They’d fight and die and then another would replace them. And with each wave their ARMS had a chance of failing as from having to protect against extreme blasts. Further, if the enemy was intelligent at all they might realize that there had to be a limit to what a shield could protect from before it gave out. The first explosion was already almost at the limit. Even a coincidence of more men, as there was presently amassing, could do the trick. Even if that wasn’t a worry, eventually everyone makes a mistake. The Krizian troop numbers’ would increase or stay the same, but Jason’s forces would slowly dwindle.

It was fortunate that Jason had taken precautions on the way to the meeting. If Jason stood his ground it would be a mistake. Not just because his forces would be destroyed, but because in retreating it would separate Chris from having direct control of his men. Jason knew that Chris was foolhardy and he’d likely only send new troops when all the ones from the previous wave were destroyed. It was the only way that the boobytrapped ARMS devices would work effectively. If Chris set up a command structure with his men then he’d know when his men were put down, so it was possible to strategically retreat in a way that would give Jason time to plan a solid defense against this next wave, send word to the Free Nation cities to prepare for war, and give a much needed rest period between waves.

In Jason’s hand formed an ARMS device. He through it to the Krizian woman. “You might want to get dressed,” he said before looking to the soldiers now surrounding him. “Retreat and pass the message on. We’re not going to have much time to collect all our belongings. Get the essentials, burn the rest. Don’t leave any of our ARMS behind.” The team nodded and without another word they were off, back to the camp. He looked back to the woman, “You’re free to come with you go. Don’t know why you did what you did or what your intentions are, but I appreciate the warning.” Before she could answer him, he took off running behind his men. If the woman wished to follow him, she would, but if not it was not a loss big loss in their present situation. Maybe if they make through the coming battles she would be, but only if she were to believe the Free Nation was better than the Krizian Empire and worthwhile to throw in with and forcing her into a position she didn’t want to be in was not the way to do that. There was no reason to worry. She was trailing after him, close on his heels, her new ARMS armor in the default black latex-like appearance emphasising her fit and firm form. Soon she was overtaking him. There was a reason she was a scout afterall, and Jason was wearing an armored up version of the ARMS armor and however light it ultimately was it would always be heavier than any default’s variation.

When the squad reached the camp they immediately went to work informing the other of their orders and intentions. The word spread. The work of disassembling and gathering up everything went into motion. The fastest runners were ordered to depart earlier to swiftly reach the surrounding cities and waiting armies that had split off from Jason’s party earlier, informing them of the current circumstances and basic orders of preparation and await further instructions which should be forthcoming within the next several days.

Meanwhile, the Krizian battalion had maintained its pace. They would soon reach the camp and start their attacking. The Free Nation soldiers were able to build and tear down their camp with a speed no fully Human army could rival, but it still took time, more than it took to march the path that lead from the Krizian encampment. Jason calculated this in his head. He made the decision to buy them some time. He’d have to do battle once more, but be careful not to go too far or else his plan might be ruined. Jason shouted to his second in command, “Keep the men moving. I’ll be right behind you. If I’m not, report to the capital what the situation is.” With that he turned to head back down onto the path.

“Wait! You got a weapon I can I use? Let me help you… All I have is the ARMS you gave me,” the Krizian woman, now defector, called out to Jason.

“Check the inventory, usually we put a weapon with an armor when separating out loot,” he replied over his shoulder, rushing down toward the enemy in front of him. His hand went to his silver sword, but then drifted down to the short sword he carried next to it while his other drew his knife. He couldn’t use his silver sword. It was too powerful and it would ruin his plan. He hoped that his secondary weapons were a big enough drop in strength that they would do the job of slowing them down without killing them. Either way, he no longer had a choice in the matter. He engaged the enemy.