Chapter 220 - Suicide Mission (Patreon)

Chapter 220

Red Sands Desert, Principality of Rebirth

City of Rebirth

"Now that the ships have been refitted, all we need to so is crew them. And given that they were made from the get go to have living, breathing crew, it would make sense to use them instead of ships built to accommodate golems." Said Allya to her assembled council. "So yes, Captain Calder and Captain Sylvia, these are the vessels you will be receiving under your command."

"I thought I was only supposed to be an advisor?" Said Sylvia.

"A role you fulfilled with alacrity." The pirate simply fell all over herself trying to get things in order whenever Alexandra was in the room. Which…confused the hell out of the Earth-born. There was something there they weren't aware of. And it wasn't a 'oh crap, what if the dungeon core recognizes me?'. If anything, the pirate seemed to expect something out of Alexandra, something that made her terrified by her mere presence, and try to expedite everything when she was there. "And while there were some…protests-" Allya gave Melia a sidelong glance. "-about handing a pirate a military ship, it was also brought up that your previous vessel was equally, if not more, heavily armed and far more advanced. A vessel which you lost trying to warn us about an incoming enemy that almost destroyed the town. So, taking all of that into account, I feel it is appropriate to repay you with your own vessel, in exchange for your…services for the duration of the hostilities."

Sylvia listened impassively…except at the last sentence, where she almost imperceptibly twitched.

Aaaaah. Seems the little conspirator doesn't like the length of service. Which meant that her 'Order' had to be behind the wars to some extent…and expected them to drag on.

"And I assume just taking the ship and sailing into the distance to greener pastures would be a bad idea?"

It was inflected as a joke, but everyone could tell there was an edge of seriousness in it.

"Of course. You won't be operating alone, your ship will be part of captain Calder's squadron, who will exact the appropriate penalties for desertion." Captain Calder who was going to accept the damned promotion to commodore, sooner or later. "Furthermore, I can assure you will receive a more than substantial payment for your continued service, as well as the extension of your privateer mandate to the Kingdom and a general pardon to your crew, once we are done."

That seemed to get Sylvia interested. Making her an official privateer would open a lot of door for her…doors her real employer would probably be very interested in.

Come on, bite you rotten bitch.

"Well, far from me to turn down an offer like that. And it'd do my boys and girls some good to head out once again."

"Excellent. Now, Melia, I believe you had some news about Darthar?"

The dark elf cleared her throat as she organized the mess of papers in front of her, sparing a split second to glare at Sylvia before she refocused on the baroness.

"I did. As of this morning, the encirclement of the city is considered complete and no longer penetrable by airship."

"I see. How did the ships we sent fare?"

"The large number of vessels, combined with a sortie from Darthar's defensive squadrons, overwhelmed the artillery Sunrise had managed to put into place at the time. There was some damage to the vessels and their cargo, but no ship was lost, and anyone that was killed was resurrected afterwards."

"Well, not perfect, but we were cutting it close. And their ships?"

"The last wave of ships left Darthar before Sunrise was able to fully encircle the city with their ground troops, a few days ago. They made it without scratch. They were loaded with as much food and goods that the city could spare. Though negotiating for those wasn't easy, as you can imagine."

"Indeed. We have much to thank Elkaryos for." Said Alexandra. Her intervention elicited less startled looks than it would have a few days before, as the councilors slowly got used to her duo act with Allya. Plus, they seemed to treat the golem she was now using as less disturbing than her boss for some reason. "Speaking of which, how is our corporate partner doing?"

Having Alexandra refer to Elkaryos as a partner of hers, despite having neither met or dealt with him, drew a few gasps, but Melia seemed to take it in stride. Probably had come to expect it, actually.

Smart woman. Elf. Whatever.

"Well, he's had enough attempts on his life to make him comment on having to start a business in reselling assassin gear, and keeping the city from combusting from the inside is no small task, but he is in good spirits and deeply thankful for both the baroness and your assistance."

"Oh?"

"Yes. The muskets and other weaponry, not to mention the golems, have been of considerable help."

"I thought Sunrise hadn't assaulted the city yet." Said Anders, visibly confused.

Melia inclined her head towards the guard commander.

"They haven't. But the weapons were instrumental in having the fortresses last as long as they did, and moreover they have proven a source of considerable morale and a tangible reminder that Darthar is not alone." Melia shrugged. "Besides which, giving the defense force such armaments has given those willing to rabble rouse pause. Overcoming the guards and throwing the gates open is a lot less attractive when you are staring down a full line of musketeers and half a dozen miniature ballistas."

"Scorpios." Corrected Alexandra and Allya, almost simultaneously.

The two paused, and exchanged a smile. That hadn't been planned, but the councilors were already looking like they'd both grown another head.

"My mistake." Said Melia, clearly a bit destabilized, but rallying quickly. "But regardless, I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunity for them to provide military as well as psychological benefits soon enough."

"True." Said Allya. "Hopefully they will hold on long enough. The raids on the Republic's supply lines are proving effective." Alexandra had launched a second one after the success of the first, keeping the ships she'd captured back under the thumb of some of her marines and her 'obsolete' ships. It had gone much better, and she'd even managed to acquire a Republic gunship more or less intact, the captain clearly realizing that resistance was futile, and unwilling to throw his men's life away in a futile gesture of defiance. "The army does not seem to have moved, although confirming that is difficult."

"How so? Couldn't you simply detach an airship?" Asked Willard.

"Whoever is commanding their own airfleet is one hell of a professional and a bona fide paranoid." Answered Alexandra. "He has his capital ships patrolling the area where we think the army is extremely aggressively. So aggressively, in fact, that we can't get close enough to confirm if it's the realm army or a decoy, let alone if it is looking to stay put or preparing to move out." Alexandra put up her hand as Anderson opened his mouth. "I know, I know, a decoy is unlikely as hell, even with illusion magic. Still, it is a hole in our intelligence, one we are intending to fix."

The fox eared twins exchanged a look.

"Are you planning on planting spies on them?" Said Ellyana, her many potion vials clinking almost musically a she shifted in her seat.

"Not quite. I have come up with the design for a high altitude, high speed reconnaissance aircraft, that will enable us to both reconnoiter the army and Erakis."

"Erakis?!?" Willard called out. "That's…"

"A more than respectable range, I am aware. It is also unbelievably expensive and incapable of fulfilling any other missions." Yet. Technically, if she stripped out the half of the mana systems meant for the return trip and replace them with explosives, she could make it into an obscenely expensive, one way missile. Or drop pod, actually. Mmmh, that may bear some thinking about. "But it should fill in the gap. In the meantime however, we will have to work off of assumptions and extrapolations."

"Let's hope that'll be enough." Said Willard.

"Let us hope indeed."

*****

General Coledar Victis, of the Elkis Republican Army drummed his fingers on the field table that passed for his desk, the remnants of his breakfast stacked precariously on the side. For once the bad news had arrived after he'd finished eating. That or the Major had waited until he was done to relay them which…he wouldn't put past her, actually.

"So, our dear senate wants us to send Orzal's commandos forward, and prepare to advance if they fail?"

"In short? Yes." Major Illira Oralis was looking even less pleased than he was, which was an achievement in and of itself. "Right as the fucking raids started again."

Coledar nodded grimly. They'd just received news of what had happened to the overdue convoy. And he was certain it would be only one of many to come.

Ordinarily, he'd have been extatic at so many senate guards biting the bullet, but it had been a bloodbath and he'd lost two freighters with supplies they simply couldn't afford to miss. Besides, he was certain the senate would pin that on him somehow, and he really didn't need the extra pressure, though their absence had bought him some breathing room.

"So we'll need to detach enough firepower to make sure they'll make it."

"The senate has 'recommended' at least half a squadron of capital ships."

Coledar snorted.

"Which only outlines their stupidity. This will need ground troops."

"I'm…I'm sorry?"

"The teleporter Orzal's commandos are lugging around can't be transported by airship. It's simply too large. That means they'll have to drag it through the desert the old fashioned way. And if the dungeon has marines with jetpacks, how long do you think it'll be before she drops some off right in their path, and have them lying in ambush? No, they'll need ground cover. A pretty substantial one."

"Or an elite one."

"Do you have someone in mind major?"

"I do. The Ignis assault battalion."

Coledar blinked.

"They have a…mixed record."

"No, they have an excellent record. They have yet to fail in their mission."

"If you're willing to count pyrrhic victories as success! Have you seen the casualties they took at the battle of Provins?"

"Which makes them the perfect unit for this assignement! Let's face it, Orzal's commandos are going to fail. The dungeon core has to have poured everything she could into protecting from this kind of assault. You said it yourself, when we set out. But that doesn't mean she isn't going to throw everything she has at them to better her odds, and in this case we need to please the senate, especially given what just happened to their precious guard, and have the blame for the commandos and hell, even the convoy, fall on Orzal's shoulders, not our own."

Coledar took a deep breath.

"So…you're saying I should sacrifice some of our own to deflect the anger of our political masters?" There was an edge of warning in his voice.

"No, I'm suggesting you send a unit who has proven they are able to stand their ground against impossible odds, and get the job done no matter how much it took. We can't send too many men without slowing down Orzal's troops anyway, and you know the senate won't stand for that. Ignis is our best shot at at least completing this insane assignment. Besides, they have a cavalry unit. That's bound to be a surprise to the dungeon core, and buy them some breathing room."

Coledar slowly, reluctantly, nodded.

"Alright. Alright! I cave in." He chuckled. "Though 'cavalry' isn't exactly an apt descriptor for Jay's Raptors."

"Which is precisely why I think they'll be so effective."

"A good point. Very well, make it so. And get admiral Artay. I'll have to convince him to part with some of his capital ships. And come up with a damned plan to prevent those raiders stumbling upon this little excursion. That's not going to be a fun talk."

"He won't have much of a choice, with the senate's 'recommendation' backing us."

"I doubt it will prove that easy. He will argue it's insane, and he'll be right damn it!"

"For once."

Coledar raised a finger.

"Say what you will about the man, he guessed right. We didn't. And his patrols chased off what looked like some prodding attacks. So give the man his due, we owe him that much."

"He's still completely paranoid."

"Just because you are doesn't mean they aren't out to get you."

"I guess. Well, good luck then."

"Thanks. I'm afraid I'm going to need every bit it." He met her gaze. "That all of us are."

She silently nodded. After all, what could she say?

The general was right.