Battle report: R-02

Time: One day after the Galdush battle, day 21 since REC forces crossed to the other side

Report carried out by: Brigadier General Oscar Wayne

Report states: At noon of the 21st day the remains of the enemy seventh army engaged base Galdush. Attack was carried out by air forces, consisting of the enemy's seventh wyvern corp, and ground forces, consisting of the enemy's seventh siege legion. The wyverns came within roughly three miles from the base before the majority was taken out of the sky by AN/TWQ-2 missile systems, the rest either fled or stayed and was taken out via heavy machine gun fire. The siege legion was destroyed sooner by M109A8 self-propelled howitzers. The majority was eliminated, remnants fled.

Outcome: Victory

REC casualties: None

Enemy casualties: Estimated 4.000 (Not including wyverns and hardware)

Identification sources: Captured general of the seventh army, Drannor Crax; Captured dwarven commander Dunan Oremelt.

(Twenty days after the Galdush battle)

Imperial palace, Elyana

"What is the meaning of this!?", Canus yelled in furious anger as he stood up from his throne.

"Your Majesty, I can explain.", Laeroth said standing in the center of the Grand chamber, surrounded by senators and the Chosen legions, "I was planning on informing you-"

"Inform me of what!? That the invasion force led by general Ylindar was destroyed in less than a day!? That the troops you sent to Galdush to stop the humans was also crushed!? That we lost nearly two hundred thousand forces, including two of our armies and generals, in less than one fucking moon cycle!?".

This was the first time anyone has seen Canus rage out like this. His whole life he was calm and collected, never raising his voice at anyone. Even if he did have an outburst, its magnitude was nowhere near the level of what the Grand chamber's attendants were experiencing at this moment. Laeroth had no words with which to defend himself and lying was beneath. He underestimated the enemy's capabilities. If they could do this, then he shuddered to imagine what they would do if the were given even more time. All he knew for sure was that a direct approach will undoubtedly lead to failure.

"Your Majesty.", Laeroth spoke, "I meant no disrespect. I only assumed that-"

"You assumed!? You do not assume, Laeroth. You determine! You bring solutions and results. In over three hundred cycles you never once assumed anything. What has changed? Are you loosing your edge?"

"Your Majes-"

"Perhaps I should put someone else in charge.". These words shook Laeroth to the core. "Someone more youthful. Someone I can fully trust. Someone capable of cleaning this mess. Perhaps Athtar, maybe Reebus or Syndra. Or... maybe that fellow Alpharius."

"No!", Laeroth shouted, his voice booming over the halls, making everyone present twitch. He drew his sword and knelt, "I shall resolve this. I shall not fail you, Your Majesty.". He brought the edge of his sword to his left hand and without hesitation sliced off his smallest finger. Then he placed his sword on the floor and offered Canus his finger. Canus slowly walked over to him and took it.

After observing the finger for several moments, Canus spoke, "Rise.", and so Laeroth did, "This is your final chance. Should you fail me, you will lose more than this finger.". With a bow and a salute, Laeroth exited the chamber. "This meeting is over! Return to your duties!"

With that, the chamber was emptied and only Canus remained with his guard. Sitting on his throne, Canus observed Laeroth's finger. All he could do was hope and pray that Laeroth's determination would prevail.

As Laeroth walked down the halls he patched up his hand with cloth. His first captain walked beside him, "Sir! You must slow down."

"I cannot Helion!", Laeroth shouted, "Every minute we spend bickering is a minute we give to the enemy. Their power, their speed, it is like nothing we faced before."

"Well... What do we do? What can we do?"

"First we need to fortify the North Alston river. Send word to general Lyklor Balphine of the XI and general Reebus Octo of the XII. Tell them do hold the bridges and not the enemy pass. Since they have powerful cannons, they needs to spread their forces out and use long ranged catapults. Second, send word to the Meilume nobility and tell them to leave the region. Third, bring me the captive humans as soon as possible. Where are they?"

"About a dozen have been scattered at the Meilume and Kuruk capitals. The rest are on their way to the other cities on the way to other cities between Kuruk and Elyana and many will be sent to the Tubal mountains mines."

"I want eight captives here as soon as possible."

"Understood sir.". The captain saluted and rushed to his duties, leaving Laeroth who entered his personal chamber and grabbed his flask. After he emptied it he threw it to the corner of the room. Sitting down on his bed he caught his breath and stared at the spirit statues on his shelf and prayed, "Morto, I beg of you. Bring death upon these cursed enemies."

---

(Around the same time)

South village, Yellow forest county, Meilume

Nym will never forget what happened that day. His little crew swore that they would never tell anyone about. That... man, if it can be called a man, terrified them. When they returned to their parents they lied how they were running from ferals they saw in the forest while playing. This put the whole village on alert. Of course it would, a danger of ferals attacking was normal. The whole forest had dens of feral welfen and leanoids, but the county didn't have the means with which to deal with the problem and the empire doesn't see them as a threat overall, so the counties were on their own.

The Yellow forest county had roughly eight thousand people living in it with roughly six hundred militia. It was small compared to some other counties but it held on all things considered. Some people wanted to leave the country as they feared it was becoming too dangerous due to feral activity, but recent events made them choose otherwise. Two massive armies marched near their forest and looking down from the hill the people could see them. The first one marched to the rift to get to the other side and the other after them to assist them. But they were all defeated. This frightened the people of Yellow forest, but they chose to stay, thinking that maybe the enemy won't enter their forest because of the ferals. A long shot, but one the chose to take.

Nym was outside with his friends. The sun was starting to set and they had to return home from mushroom picking. "We never should have gone there.", said Cohnal.

"Stop talking about it.", Nym said, "It's done, stop."

"He has a point, Nym.", Elsha said, "I don't know why that man let us go but... I don't ever want to see him again."

"Same here.", said Meara.

"And we won't have to.", Nym said, "As long as we don't tell anyone anything and we never go to Galdush, we will be fine."

The four of them nodded to that. What happened on that day scared them to the core. But it made them confused more than anything else. The passing imperial soldiers said how they were going to a savage land filled with barbaric monsters. But if that was true, then why did the men on Galdush spare them. Was it because they took no pleasure in killing children? One thing was for sure, they will heed their advice and stay away.

"I think we have enough.", Elsha said.

"Yes.", Hallas said, "We should probably return to the village before ferals show up."

"I don't think they will.", Nym said.

"What do you mean?", Meara asked.

"Haven't you noticed that we haven't seen any ferals in several moon cycles? It's like they ran away."

"That is strange.", Cohnal said, "But either way, we should hurry back."

The five of them started walking back. The forest is quite beautiful in the evening and night. The reason why it's called Yellow forest is because in the late yellow season and all of green season, the yellow-backed fireflies and red-headed beetles start flying at night and illuminate the whole forest with yellow and red dots. The county doesn't put up many torches in these times because the people love watching the red and yellow dance of insects. A few beetles have come out of the trees and this told the children they should hurry.

As they ran through the forest, Elsha stopped when she heard rustling in a nearby bush. Her curiosity got the better of her and she walked closer to the bush, despite Nym telling her not to. She walked closer and closer and when she got closer she noticed a pair of green eyes inside the bush. She realized immediately what it was and jumped back just before the creature jumped after her. It was a goblin. Short and bald with a big nose and ugly teeth it wore rags and held a crudely made spear. Elsha was backing away but she slipped and fell on her back. The goblin was about to stab her with his spear, but Nym jumped in and shanked it in the side, piercing its heart. Pulling out the knife he grabbed Elsha and the five of them started running back to the village. As they ran, goblins started jumping out of the bushes and shrubs. Dozens of them. The children could see the gate of the village.

"Open the gate!", Nym yelled as he dragged Elsha, "Goblins! Let us in!"

The guards quickly rushed to open the gate. They opened it just enough so the children could pass. One by one passed and Nym was about to cross but he was grabbed by the goblins. The goblin that grabbed him was taller and bulkier than the rest. He dragged Nym back and left as more goblins showed up. The children cried and the guards quickly closed the gate and climbed on the walls. They saw not dozens, but hundreds of goblins. How could there be so many, they couldn't know and there was no time to find out. The one hundred and fifty militia that were at the village armed themselves and prepared to fight. The goblins threw stones at them but a stone is not as strong as an arrow. The militia opened fire with bows and crossbows, killing dozens of them. The larger goblins threw larger stones and even smaller goblins at the wall. A few made it over and some landed on the militia and started stabbing them. One militia fighter used his sword to slice their heads off and grabbed the crossbow of a fallen fighter and shot the larger goblin in the head, killing him and letting his disgusting, bloated hunk of flesh flop on the ground.

"Aim for the large ones first!", he shouted, "I need spears on the edges, they are climbing! Burn them, they hate fire!". He continued to kill more goblins, slicing the heads of the ones who climbed up on the wall's edges. In front he could see how a section was overwhelmed as the large goblins threw smaller ones at the militia. He grabbed a nearby shield and charged at them, knocking several down and letting the forces on the ground deal with them. As he looked down he saw the last six large goblins grabbed a log and he immediately understood their role. "Prepare the torches! Grab cloth!". The fighters did just that and threw the burning cloth and torches at the goblins as they hit the gate with their log.

On the battle went, the militia killing dozens of goblin with volleys of arrows but there just more coming. They could see the end though, there were no more large goblins and the small ones had organized a suicide charge to overwhelm the wall, but the fighters kept throwing fire and shooting them with arrows. As this was happening however, something was happening in the village. The people were all in their homes, but a few were still helping the militia fight as they treated their wounds and brought arrows, food and boiling water. One of them heard something coming from the abandoned well and moved closer to see. When he got closer he peaked in and a green hand grabbed him as another one stabbed him in the throat. From the well goblins came, several of them, then a few dozen. They went into homes and people started screaming. Elsha was in one of the homes, her grandmother was laying in the corner as a goblin walked towards her, but Elsha took a knife and stabbed it in the head. From her door she could see more of them running towards her. She was scared but relieved as more militia came. They were from the western village of the county and had come as soon as they could. The fighters went into the homes and started killing the goblins. Chopping off heads, stabbing hearts and lungs, firing crossbows, burning, the militia used everything.

Eventually the goblins inside the village were all killed and the fires were being put out. The goblins outside the wall were mostly dead but nearly a hundred fled. This was a dark night. The south militia lost nearly a third of its force and dozens of people were killed by the goblins from the well, which was covered up with wooded planks and stone. But the damage to the hearts and minds of the people were greater. Mothers mourned their children and children their fathers. Their greatest fear was the goblins coming back.

(The next day)

Everyone looked to the wall defender, Turgon, the commander of the south militia. They hoped he would have an answer to all this, and so did he. Some wanted revenge, many asked what to do next. Truth is, he didn't know what to do. Something like this never occurred and no one thought it was possible.

"Turgon.", spoke an elderly elf, "What do you think we should do?"

"I... I do not know, elder.", Turgon replied, making everyone around them lower their heads in grief, "We could send fighters down the well and see what is down there. It could be their den and if so they are asleep. But I cannot be certain what we will face. If we get cornered we would die. Besides, we do not have the means with which to destroy the den."

"So all that remains is for us to prepare for the next attack?"

"I fear so. And since we do not know where they will attack next, I suggest we inform the mayor to declare a state of alert county wide, as to prevent further surprises and death."

"Very well. I will personally go to the central hall and-"

"Turgon!", shouted a militia fighter, "Tulgor! You have to see this."

Tulgor quickly stood up, "What is it? Have the goblins awoken?"

"No. But... I don't know. You must come, they call for you."

"Call for me? Who? Imperial soldiers?"

"No. They are soldiers, but they are wearing green armor and have boomsticks. They're not dwarves, they're too tall and their skin is more pale than theirs is."

This greatly confused Tulgor, "Did they say where they are from?"

"Yes. They are from Galdush."

This statement made his heart freeze and the people around him panicked. The enemy from Galdush came here? Why? Have they come to kill them and take their land? Why here, this is a small county. Swallowing the spit that worked up in his mouth he spoke, "How many?"

"I counted only a dozen. But I think there are more in their armored carriages."

"Assemble fifty of our finest. I will meet them."

---

(Earlier)

Operations base Galdush, morning

It's been a while since any attacks have been launched at them and REC got to work. They improved their base, finishing the machine shop, barracks, air strip, fortifications and central command. The base was taking shape of a polygonal fort. The reason being that, historically, these types of fortifications were the best defenses against cannon fire until more accurate and powerful forms of artillery were created. But since the highest level of military technology possessed by the enemy is that of the Napoleonic era, it's not an issue. The other benefit is that polygonal forts are built in a way so that the point which needed to be defended is in the middle. This way the rift is in the center and defended on all sides. As an extra precaution the rift was surrounded by a steel dome with a garrison defending it.

After the full thirty thousand troops made it on the other side of the rift, a few reforms were made. Firstly, all equipment that required a satellite link was not to be used as they had no satellites here. Instead they used drones until a proper system can be emplaced. Secondly, a squad of four distinct tribals will be accompanying all Rift groups, or RGs, in order to spread the word to the other tribals of North Altia in hopes of bringing more people to the US's side and also show them why they are not monsters.

There were currently five RGs and each was given an assignment. They were to go to various locations in Meilume and do recconnaissance as well as gain contact with locals and find out more about the imperial government. Each RG was a platoon of thirty eight rangers from the 75th Ranger regiment led by a first lieutenant and was equipped with standard hardware. Since the end of the Great crisis Russia and the US have been working on the 'Warrior' project in order to create better gear for soldiers. The result were a helmet, body armour, a one-piece coverall, hearing protection; protective glasses; a protective set for knees and elbows; new grenade launchers, submachine guns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, ammunition, a combat knife, as well as 24/7 reconnaissance means, a day and night sighting system, a small-size binocular, optical and thermal weapon sights, etc. As well as these, the system comprises a universal shelter, a multifunctional knife, a signal lamp, a watch, winter and summer two-side camouflage sets, an autonomous heat source, a backpack, an individual water filter, a small entrenching tool, breath protection devices, means of radiological and chemical control, a medical kit, and filtering clothes. As for vehicles, each RG has two JLTVs, two International MaxxPros and one LAV-30, all armed and ready.

With their assignments given, the rangers got to work. RG-2, led by lieutenant Andrea Williams, was to track down the elven children Spearteam found snooping. The group tracked them down to a nearby place designated Yellow forest. They took a path through the forest and hoped to run into their village. On the way they admired the environment. The green trees, the clear blue sky, the animals, which looked like the ones back on Earth, just with a few distinct features. Like how rabbits have longer legs, foxes have brighter eyes, some even have two tails. Everything was truly fascinating.

"Man this place is beautiful.", said sergeant David Hall, "It's like driving through a national park."

"You said it, Dave.", said sergeant Greg Nivera, "What do you think we'll find here?"

"Man, I'm hoping for some griffons or something."

"Griffons are only in the north.", said Xod, the leanoid, "If we ever get to the dwarven kingdoms we might find one."

"That's a bummer.", Greg said.

"Bummer?", asked Zog, the welfen.

"It means it's a bad thing.", David said.

"Why is that a bad thing?"

"Because I really wanted to see one!", Greg said.

"Quiet.", said Andrea over the comms, "You forgot to turn off the radio."

"Sorry ma'am.", said Greg as he turned the radio off.

"Boys.", said Andrea in the lead JLTV, "Let's find these kids."

"I just hope we don't scare them.", said sergeant Sophia Adams, "I'd hate to make a bad first impression."

"These people live in the Yellow forest.", said Madia the lepian, "It's likely that they know about the Galdush battle and they consider you as an enemy. I wouldn't expect them to greet you with 'open arms' as you say it."

"I don't expect that either.", said Andrea, "But that's why we're here. We have to show them that they don't have to fear us. "

Ksee, the lepian, scoffed at that, "You should use your cannons and destroy them. It's what they deserve anyway."

"We won't be the monsters they say we are. There can be another way. Besides, it's the army and the emperor along with the other stuck-up nobility that's the problem. I'm not gonna kill farmers cause a soldier attacked me."

Ksee thought about that. She saw what the Americans were capable, and yet she couldn't understand why they don't just force the elves into submission. As they drove through the forest, they came across another path which led deeper into the woods. The tracker led them there and so they followed it. It was amazing how many things the human soldiers were capable of doing, unlike the elves who only knew how to kill in several different ways. The vehicles moved through the woods and reached a wooden wall about roughly twenty feet tall that looked like it saw action recently. They followed the tracker and found it on the ground in front of the gate.

'What happened here?', Andrea thought as she picked up the tracker.

"Hold it!", shouted someone from the wall. It was and elf and around him about twenty more with bows and crossbows pointed at Andrea, "Who are you?"

Andrea calmly stepped forward, "I am lieutenant Andrea Williams of Rift group 2 from the Rift Expeditionary Corp!". This seemed to confuse them.

"Where are you from?", he asked.

"Galdush."

This made them tense up. They seemed angered. "You are the enemy! Why have you come!". The rangers aimed their guns at them but Andrea waved for them to calm down.

"We are here to speak with your leader. We only want to make peaceful relations."

"You lie! The imperial army told us that they were heading to Galdush to face the enemy that has come to invade our lands! Thousands went and only dozens returned! That was your doing!"

"Those soldiers attacked us first. They sent their army through the rift and killed thousands of innocent people. We are here to peacefully solve any and all problems with the empire, but we need your help."

"Why should I trust?"

In response, Andrea gave her gun to Greg, took off her helmet and widened her arms, "I mean you no harm!". After some hesitation, one of the elves climbed down from the wall.

"Wait there!".

So the team waited. Some were skeptical about this, but did nothing. David walked up to Andrea, "Are you sure about this lieutenant? You really think they're gonna even consider talking to us?"

"All I know is they could've shot us on sight. Do you want to kill hundreds of people today, sergeant?". In that moment, the gate opened and an elf followed by fifty more stepped out. The fifty made a defensive line of shields, which tensed up the rangers.

"No, but if this keeps up I might have to.", David said.

The leading elf stepped forward, "I am Tulgor Salvin, commander of the south militia."

Andrea stepped forward, "I am lieutenant Andrea Williams, commander of RG-2 of the Rift Expeditionary group."

"Why have you come, Lieutenant Andrea Williams?"

"As I stated before, we are here to make peaceful relations with the elven people. We mean you no harm."

"You misunderstood my question. Why are you here, specifically?"

"We are here because we want to prove to you that we are not monsters and savages that the empire claims us to be. We only desire peace."

"You keep saying that word. Peace. And yet you kill dozens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of soldiers."

"Those soldiers attacked us first. You can't blame us for defending ourselves."

"True. Still, how do I know you won't stab us in the back. I see the tribals behind you. You make them fight for you, so how do I know you will not enslave us as well."

"We are not slaves!", Xod shouted, making the fighters twitch, "We chose to fight along side these humans because we are tired of the empire enslaving and killing us! We fight with them because they promised us freedom! With them, not for them!"

This made Tulgor raise an eyebrow, "Is that really true."

"Yes.", Andrea said, "We want to end slavery and show you that there is a better way. So if you want to fight them, you'll have to fight us. And I assure you, it will be bloody.". The fighters and rangers tensed up, ready for a fight. But Tulgor laughed.

"Never before have I met a woman with such ferociousness and authority.", he said, "You have my respect. However, if you want my trust, you will have to offer me more than words."

"And what is it that you want?"

Tulgor thought for a while before answering, "There is a certain goblin problem we are facing."

"Goblin problem?"

"Last night, a horde of goblins attacked us and I lost many fighters. I sense that they will come back but I cannot search for them and leave the village undefended."

"Interesting. Do you have any leads? Or a hunch as to where they are?"

"They came from the forest but it stretches for many leagues. They did however come from an abandoned well."

This caught Andrea's attention, "Very well. But my soldiers will have to enter your village."

"I shall allow half of your men and two carriages."

"Alright.", she turned to the group, "Hall, Adams, bring half the group, one JLTV and one MRAP. Madia, Ksee, you're coming too, the rest stay here."

The group organized and entered the village. All the people stared at them and their vehicles, like something otherworldly, which they technically were. They came to the abandoned well and Andrea gave the order to prepare the RC drone and the flyer. The rangers removed the wood and stone from the well and started lowering the drone.

"What is that?", Tulgor asked.

"It's a device we can use to see what's inside the well without going in there.", Andrea answered, "And that one can fly."

"Amazing. How?"

"A long story. I might show you some time."

The drone was lowered to the bottom and a private drove it. He had to turn on night vision to see. "It looks like a dugged-in tunnel.", he said, "They probably dug their way in there. You got anything?"

"Nothing yet.", said the other private, "Hold on. I think I see a cave. Yeah, definitely. The entrance is above ground level."

"Goblins are night dwellers.", Tulgor said, "They sleep during the day and hate fire. A cave is where they prefer to live. But to think they would dig their way to our well. I knew they were on a tribal level but this."

"Don't compare us to those monsters, elf.", said Madia.

"Why? They also kidnap people and force-mate with them."

"We only do it when we need to!"

"Calm down!", shouted Andrea, "We had an agreement."

"Ma'am, come look at this.", said a private and Andrea, Tulgor and Sophia gathered, "I see dozens of them, sleeping, maybe more further out. And here. It's a boy."

"That is the boy they took last night.", Tulgor said, "He still lives."

"Someone has to go down there and get him.", Andrea said, "Ksee?"

"Why me?", Ksee asked.

"You are the most flexible one. Plus, that's an order."

Ksee groaned but accepted. The private pulled the drone back and tied the rope to her. She was lowered down and then crawled through the tunnel, ignoring the stench on the way. Finally she came to the cave and looked around, her cat eyes allowing her to see clearly. She saw the boy, who was a little battered but breathing and alive. She slowly grabbed him by under the arms but he woke up and started freaking out. This woke up a few goblins and Ksee grabbed the boy and ran back, quickly going back through the tunnel.

She tied the rope around him, "Pull him up!". As they pulled the boy up she could see the goblins approaching, "They're coming!"

"Take this!", Andrea shouted, throwing a frag grenade to her.

"What is this?", Ksee asked.

"Just pull the ring, throw it and then climb!"

Ksee did just that. After she pulled the pin she threw it at the approaching goblins who grabbed it out of curiosity. A curiosity which would have them killed as the grenade exploded, killing several goblins and blocking the path to Ksee. After Ksee and the boy climbed out, the soldiers rejoiced.

"Please don't make me do that again.", Ksee said.

Andrea chuckled, "No promises."

Ksee saw the boy run to his mother and friends, who cried tears of joy. This made her smile. Tulgor walked over to her and slightly bowed, "Thank you for saving one of my own."

"Don't mention it.", Ksee said, "It was a piece of cake."

Tulgor was confused at that statement, "Cake? There is no cake here."

Ksee laughed a little, "Don't worry about it. The humans taught me, I was a little confused myself."

Greg walked over as he put away his radio, "Ok, it's done. I gave the location to command, they're sending a platoon with flamethrowers to deal with the cave."

"How-", Tulgor began to ask.

"Another device.", Greg said, "We have a lot of them."

Tulgor chuckled, "I see. Thank you, humans. I guess we really can trust you after all. Come, let me introduce you to the elder."

End of chapter 7