Author Note: So finally!!!! Got all the small details out of the way that I needed, the relationships, the pregnancy, the Ny'Har'en, the workers, the other world stuff, The Barony, The Staff, Scott discovering Reality Manipulation, and more, yes it took a while and sometimes it seemed that the story was derailing. Now with all the main characters in place, here we being the main plot finally and the action returns, the levels will increase as will skills.

Could I have taken a short cut? I do not think so, as much would not have been understood in later chapters.

Thank to all who were patient till now!

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Chapter 42 United Front.

We are gathered in the Cafeteria, an emergency meeting was called. The subject was the approaching horde of creatures. We had a map on the table and outlined possible routes and defenses to be placed.

Our numbers vs theirs was close enough, that we could fight. But we had to slow them down so that the Walls could be upgraded quicker. I had instructed the workers to focus only on the walls and that all people not participating on the mission were to help. We were able to mobilize 594 people, a mix of all 3 races, to work on the walls, leaving 209 for the mission to slow them down or even stop them in their tracks.

The plan was simple enough, we would take the 100 new guards the 30 Elite and 79 warriors from the Ny'Har'en. The 40 Regular guards would assist on building the walls since they could not leave the area.

I circle certain places on the map where a bottleneck would occur and we would strike in those places with hit and run tactics with fall back zones covered by other teams. The plan relied mostly on the long range weapons, the Phaser Rifles being the foremost.

As we finished our panning and split up into groups, I, Bre'Tirgan, and Rick each leading a main group, while 3 groups, one assigned to each of us, were formed to cover our retreat. Cindy and Julie want to accompany me, but I insist they stay back to help with defenses and prepare for wounded as they come in. The Doctors are ready too, as are the nurses, Triage stations are prepped. The whole community is mobilized. Alexander is not sure if the creatures will approach or not, but with those numbers it is very likely they will.

We head out on foot as there are too many to carry in vehicles we take some vehicles with us to carry wounded as needed in emergencies and leave those at out final retreat point. We move quickly setting up abandoned vehicles as barricades as we go along at various spots we will retreat to. We finally arrive at our positions nearly an hour later after leaving the school and take cover and lay in wait, scouts report no movement so far. I advised only the use the Phaser rifles and bows first, as they make almost no sound, then if rushed we would open with the guns.

We waited for almost an hour before the scout reported incoming and the first showed up. They were ugly looking creatures standing 5 to 7 feet tall. Their snouts protruded from their heads baring sharp teeth and fangs. They walked on legs with reversed knees on their legs bending backward at odd angles. They are covered in a thick dark fur from head to toe ranging from a reddish brown to a blackened brown, and have sharpened claws on each hand. None carried weapons as the claws and teeth were their weapons. They looked imposing and menacing. The had on leathery brownish, dirty looking armor with scull caps that covered to their ears on their heads.

“Were-beast” one of the warriors whispers, the shaman numbering 8 and split among the second teams, who came with us, had cast the language spell on the Elite as their numbers were fewer and less mana use was needed. It was a basic and simple spell to them.

I tried to identify one of them as I saw them but they were still too far out. There was 18 of them as far as I could tell and they all were walking cautiously, looking at their surroundings, sniffing the air. Some approached buildings and kicked in doors, sniffing then leaving while others kept watch. They were six groups, working in threes.

My group had 34 people in it, 10 of the elite, 16 of the new guards and 7 of the warriors. I motion to my group and motion to fire. Enhanced Arrows and Laser lights flash out connecting with each of the beasts, each being hit multiple times, each the Phaser rifles firing time after time. It seemed a single shot most definitely will not kill them. It took a few shots to penetrate the armor, but once thru they began to drop. The Enhanced Arrows pierced the armor like butter.

Only a few howled out, but was enough to draw more attention. As their bodies began to glow, and disappear, another group came running up. They witnessed their fellow bodies disappear and stopped.

Someone jumped the gun and fired their Phaser Rifle prematurely, causing the rest to jump for cover.

A loud howl is heard echoing thru the streets, as one of the Were-Beast calls for help. We open fire to get as many as we can pinning them down. A low rumble is heard, as many more come running around the corner of the road.

“Retreat to check point 1” I yell. "Black leader to Check point one, we have incoming get ready” I say thru the radio, "we copy Black Leader". Each group was given assigned radio names. My group was Black, Bre'tirgan was Blue and Rick was Red. Alexander was School leader, It was simple and easy to remember.

We retreat as planned quickly, rounding a street corner and heading past the check point to the next checkpoint where we will set up our ambush.. As the horde of creatures came running after us, enhanced arrows flew loose felling several wounding many, the Creatures stop in their tracks as they were being peppered by the arrows time and again. Many died. Enraged the creatures rushed.

We arrive at our check point and set up quickly, “Black leader this Black two retreating to check point two”, I hear, "This is black leader, we copy, check point two on standby.”

I see the second group running frantically, they pass us heading to the next check point as several creatures turn the corner, we open fire immediately. Same results as before, many fall again, their numbers are thinned. A howl is heard and they retreat. We are about 3 km from the school now.

“Black leader to Blue leader status” I ask over the radio.

“Blue leader to Black leader we are holding at check point two, they retreated” calls out the voice.

“Black leader to Blue leader retreat to check point 3 and set up as planned, Black leader out” I call out again.

“Copy that Black leader” I say

“Black leader to red leader status” I call out.

“No contact still in position” Rick voice is heard over the radio.

“Fall back to check point 3 as planned and set up”

“Copy that Black leader” He calls out.

Check point 3 was the convergence of all the paths to here, the main road that led to the school. It was lined with tall buildings and was a perfect bottle neck to stop them here. To go around would take much longer and we had scouts watching out for that move as well.

We moved vehicles quickly into the road as barricades as others stood watch for incoming. Bre'Tirgan's group arrives first his second group already as planned, moving to the next retreat zone. Shortly after, Ricks group arrives and sets up as well. Over 100 people are gathered here, now lined up and waiting , some on the rooftops, looking down, as the roofs were connected to one another and you could run to the fire escape that had quick access to the road.

“So how did they get here? You think they followed you?” I ask of Bre'Tirgan.

“I do not know, they would not approach the stone formations while we were there, but these are the Were-beasts we have fought.” He says in thought.

“They are coming, it looks like all of them.” says a warrior running towards us.

Behind us 100 meters away the next check point stood on standby. It was a long distance and we had to move another 100 meters beyond that. The 8 shaman were now prepping, they were told to save their mana until needed.

Then they came, a flood of them growling and howling. We open fire as soon as we see them and they rush forward many dieing along the way, the distance 120 meters and closing fast. At 50 meters, “Shaman NOW!”

The Shaman let off waves of lightning as we continue to fire, stunning and electrocuting the oncoming beasts, the flood comes to a sudden halt, “RETREAT!” I yell and everyone scampers to the next point. Recovering, the beasts begin to run after us again. All of us have heightened speed so staying ahead of them was not hard.

As they approached the next check point, I and the Shaman had stayed with them, while Rick and Bre'Tirgan ran with the group to the next spot.

'LOOSE' I yell and arrows fly into the oncoming Were-beasts, the Shaman let loose 8 fiery balls of death into the flood of Were-beasts, several cars exploding in their midst. Again the flood comes to a halt.

“RETREAT!”

We repeat this over and over till we arrive at our final check point 1 km from the school. “RETREAT TO THE SCHOOL AT BEST SPEED” I yell, and it is now a mad dash for the school.

In all, from the time of contact till now almost two hours have passed. Almost fours hours since we left the school.

“Black leader to school leader we have incoming” I say to the radio.

“Copy that Black leader, the school is ready.” says a calm voice.

We rush back to the school, but the Were- beast are not yet following.

We see the West wall, it is fully operational as we enter the gate and it closes behind us. We run to the top of the walls and spread out taking up positions with the other people already on the walls, bows, guns and Phaser Rifles pointed outward at the ready. All are nervous and anxious. We wait........

Another hour passes and the anxiety level is rising. Finally a scout arrives “get ready, they come," he is quickly let inside and the gates once again closes. Shortly after the main force arrives, but severely dwindled. Less than half remain, as they rush the walls. I see the Warriors infuse mana into their arrows, and let loose. Guns and Phaser Rifles also join in, I fire as well with my AR-15. I infuse mana into the cartridge, copying the warriors action and see great results.One shot one kill, head shots. Where as before the skull plate stopped the bullets.

It is a slaughter before they even reached the walls. As one, they all rush forward, none retreating, only to be killed. And as the final one dies, a cheer goes up from the walls, all jubilant at the victory. All but one cheers, Bre'Tirgan who looks at me with a sadness.

“I fear we may have brought you your doom Scott”. He says with a hint of sadness in his voice.” This is only the beginning, it was a small scout force to test us. More will follow.”