13km offshore from Far Harbor
Snow constantly drifted down from the downcast skies, turning visibility low. The barge rumbled as it plowed through the windswept waves, relying on a very basic beacon system and radar to navigate the seas.
A beam of light flashed through the snow and suddenly a large shadow loomed out. The pilot of the barge lowered the speed of the boat and aimed the bow of his boat at the lights.
As the barge came closer to the lights, the shadow turned out to be an island with a simple wooden light tower. The pilot docked the boat next to the floating dock made out of airtight barrels, planks, and reinforced with steel scaffolding.
Secured next to the floating dock was a larger floating platform with dozens of crates stacked together and workers wearing bright orange life vests, waiting for the barge to be tired up and secured.
A load of miners disembarked from the barge and the rest waiting at the floating platform started to load the crates of energy stones onboard carefully in the wet docks.
The newly arrived miners went up to a tent with one side exposed to the elements where a foreman sat with a table. The foreman looked up at the new arrivals and gave out orders and punch cards, directing them to a supervisor who will look after them.
The miners following the supervisor enter the wilted jungle. The cold had killed most of the floral on the island and the snow left a coat of white over the frozen vines and broken trees.
The supervisor started to assign duties to the miners, teaching them how to carefully dig the clear luminous crystals out of the ground. Dozens of patches of freshly dug and covered soil littered all over the area, while those crystals yet to be dug out were mapped out with white and red striped tapes.
The energy stones grew as deep as 9 meters underground. Those crystals not yet fully developed had an umbilical cord like organ that attached to it. Those crystals were not to be touched and were cordoned off with red tape.
Dr. Sharon and Magister Thorn theorized that Island Whales created these crystals to store energy over winter and also for long distance migration. They could only guess as they have no concrete evidence or other proof to why the Island Whales produces these energy stones.
The miners upon extracting the crystals stored them into wooden crates where another group of workers will ferry them down to the shore to be loaded onto the barges.
As the men worked, the Island Whales hibernated in the cold, their heads and flippers motionless as they dreamt what Island Whales dreamt.
-----
UNS Singapore, Conference Room
"So, for this Operation Freedom," Major Frank patted the folder of documents in his hand. "You are proposing to airdrop in a battalion of Marines to capture Orwell's Point?"
"Yes, Sir," Intelligence Officer Tavor replied politely.
"With no other support?" Frank's eyes narrow as he dropped the folder down on the table. "No UAV, no air, nor artillery or even any chance of reinforcements?"
"Sir, there is no way any of our land vehicles can drive all the way from here to Orwell's Point in that kind of terrain," Tavor pointed out to the map where the whole stretch of the Uncharted Forest that lay between the two cities.
"Even if we force our way through the forest, it will take a week or two for the entire convoy to hit Orwell's Point," Tavor explained. "The whole operation cost, time, and resources will not be worth the effort."
"So you are proposing an airdrop?" Commander Ford, cut in before Major Frank can retort. "Why?"
"First, we have the new FB - 1 Mariner which with extended fuel tanks, can each drop off a platoon of Marines," Tavor said. "With the Air Force now processing five of these planes, we can effectively airdrop in a company and enough supplies to support the company of Marines on the field."
"Secondly, the one way trip by air takes only six hours, compared to the one to two weeks over land," Tavor continued. "If we removed all the unnecessary equipment and armor, we can extend the range of the Mariners further."
"With the planes doing four round trips, within 24 hours, we can have a full battalion and enough supplies for them attack Orwell's Point." Tavor finished.
"Yes, but the whole point of this Op is to rescue the slaves?" Frank said. "How are we gonna do that without any vehicles!"
"That brings me to the second part of the Op," Tavor smiled. "We hold the city, and since the city is right next to an inland sea, we can land our Mariners there."
"We let the slave ships in and we ambush them," Tavor continued. "And at the same time, the Mariners will do constant trips to pick up the slaves and also drop off supplies and reinforcements."
"At the end of the day, Orwell's Point will become a territory of the UNM!"
-----
After the meeting had dispersed, Ford stayed back with Blake in the room. "So what do you think of the chances of this operation?" Blake asked.
"Frankly, I am quite optimistic about our success," Ford admitted. "Tavor is turning out to be quite the Intel Officer."
Blake nodded, "I am only worried that the enemy spots them before the whole battalion has dropped in."
Ford gave a shrug, "Well, they just have to drop off somewhere less visible then."
"Hmmm, maybe we should start laying plans for a highway to Orwell's Point," Blake said. "If we are gonna hold that city, it will be good to have a direct road to it, rather than constantly relying on airdrop supplies."
"It will also help with the development of the city in the long run," Blake continued. "But the issue would be the Forest itself, I am afraid it will not be so easy to construct a highway there due to the monsters."
"True, the creatures in the Forest are no joke," Ford stated. "And we can't afford to commit so much of our troops to guard the highway either."
"Alright, let me think about it first," Blake said. "So how's the Island Whales or turtles doing?"
"They appeared to have gone into hibernation," Ford answered. "They are just sleeping there while we mine the crystals on their backs."
"So far, there aren't any incidents happening," Ford said. "We did not touch any of those still growing crystals and also we harvest only two thirds of the crystals to prevent any harm to the creatures, in case the depletion of the crystals will affect their health in some way."
"Good, keep me posted should anything happens," Blake replied.
"Well, the other thing is Ordnance had come up with a simple depth charge device," Ford grinned. "They should be testing it out within a week or two."
-----
Draco Air Base, Commandant's Office
Commander Tommy rubbed his tired eyes as he stared at the computer display screen continuously for several hours. He yawned as he stood up and stretched, and looked at the drawings of the helicopter designed he came up with,
He had come out with a design powered by a twin turboshaft engine, with four-blade main and tail rotors. It can be used in both utility or combat roles and it will greatly improve their air power and reach once it is in production.
Now, he just needs to get this over to Special Projects and get them to fabricate it out.
-----
The Academy of Science and Magic
Liz hugged several folders of papers and books against her chest and she entered the class of 2E1. The class stood up as one and greeted her before they sat down. Liz smiled as she looked at the children just a few years younger than her and felt a sense of achievement.
I guess being a teacher has its moments, she thought to herself as she wrote on the chalkboard. "Advance Magic Theory"
Initially, she was shy when she first teaching the class alone, the students seemed uninterested in her classes as they view her age to be too young to be even knowledgable in magic.
Yet, one time, there was a live demonstration of magic casting, she shocked her class with her spells, which turned the once defiant class to admiration. After that incident, her class became very attentive and even active in asking her questions both about magic and even personnel.
At first, she felt swamped by the attention. She used to be the focus of envy by many of her peers but they did that at a distance. Her students most likely did not know of her status and past, chatted with her with innocent which slowly, she got used to it.
"As all of you know, magic came into existence by the grace given to us by the Gods, many many many years ago," Liz said. "But as the Gods disappeared, the gift was still within us, but it has weakened till the point that not every one of us is born with the aptitude for magic."
"Some of you have more mana capacity, while others just a tiny grain in their bodies," Liz continued. "But even with a large capacity of mana, you need to know how to form the magic."
She raised her right hand up and a flicker of flames appeared, "A level 0 spell, which almost everyone can do is easy to form as long you understand what you want it to do, in this case a fire."
"But what if you want to cast a different fire spell?" Liz asked, "This is where visualization works."
"You imagine what you want, and focus your magic and the spell chant to create that spell," Liz explained. "Just blindly chanting a spell will not allow you to draw out the full power of that spell."
"That is why so many mages venture fore on adventures to learn and experience the dangerous out in the world, as seeing new things and wonders help a mage to better visualize his or her spells." Liz smiled as she gave a wave of her hand and the flame turned into a soaring wyvern before vanishing.
"What I just did was the same level 0 spell but I visualized it as a wyvern," Liz explained. "Magic is not dead, you just have to learn how to properly control and weld the mana inside you."
As her ability to control mana was top notched, that was why she could cast multiple magic missiles easily.
The students in her class went oooh when they saw her skillful manipulation of mana. "Teacher Liz, did you travel on adventures too?"
Hearing that question, Liz felt a pain in her chest as she remembered her party with the Hero. Even the death of Stab hit her hard despite the two of them never seeing eye to eye and always arguing.
And now what was left of the party was only Evelyn who had her soul damaged allegedly by the Hero himself! She doesn't know who to trust on the matters of the Hero and the strange hoomans isn't really helping much.
She looked at the hopeful eyes of her students and sighed inwardly before answering, "Yes, I traveled for a bit as an adventurer."
"Tell us some stories!" The class erupted excitedly at the news that their teacher used to be an Adventurer. Most students dreamt of growing up to become one or a dragon flyer!
"Well, I can, but after this, I want all of you to promise me to practice hard on your mana control, ok?" Liz tried to be stern.
The class laughed and agreed while Liz shooked her head and starting telling them of a Quest she did with the Hero, except she omitted out the Hero.
She looked at the innocence of the children who listened with rapt attention to her story and started to question the things she has done in the past.
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Feel like taking medical leave from work and sleep at home...
Draco Air Base, Training Hanger Three
Private Slow held on to a yellow strap that was hooked to a cable overhead as he stood in a queue behind several of his platoon mates. "30 SECONDS!" The Platoon Sergeant yelled and everyone echoed after him. "Standby!"
An overhead red light switched to green followed by a buzzer and the Platoon Sergeant yelled, "GO GO GO!"
The first man walked out of the wooden frame door and hopped off the platform, before moving out of the way for the next person behind him. Slow shuffled up as his platoon mates in front of him hoped off the platform one by one.
When his turn came, the Sergeant gathered the yellow static line and Slow hopped off and landed on the ground before he gathered next to the rest of his platoon.
The weeks long exercises had started off with lectures and videos on parachuting off an aircraft before moving on practical motions like what Slow and his platoon was doing. They had been practicing hopping off a fake aircraft hatch to doing jumps off a tall platform similar to a fly fox zip line to how to do a landing by rolling on the wet ground as the snow melts.
Slow heard from the Sergeants that once the weather clears up, they will move on to doing real jumps off an airplane! Slow had nearly panicked when he stood on the top of the several stories high platform and the hooman Corporals screamed and yelled in his ear to jump.
He had closed his eyes and leaped off the platform, and felt his heart at his throat before the sudden jerk of his harness against the zip line nearly made him bite his tongue. The first jump was scary but the following other jumps, he actually found it quite fun and thrilling zipping down the line!
-----
Master Sergeant Pike stood at the side with Major Frank observing the men training for the parachute wings. "What do you think?" Frank asked.
"Looks good so far, but it's only practical," Pike replied. "But I say they should be ready to do their first jump next week."
Frank nodded, "Once 2nd Battalion finishes their training, start on 1st Battalion. 3rd Battalion we will leave it to the last."
"So it's confirmed? You are using the 2nd to hit Orwell's Point?" Pike asked.
"Yes, 2nd will take point on the attack, 1st Battalion will be on standby, while 3rd will hold the fort back home," Frank confirmed.
"Damn, we need more troops," Pike shook his head. "Two thirds of our troops committed to an attack, and with spring here soon in a couple of weeks, those damn feral goblins will be raging all over the place."
Frank smiled, "We are way better than before now that all workers at the outposts are required to be trained and part of the LDF or Local Defense Force."
"They can hold off the goblins easily behind fixed defenses and mortar support, till the Airforce comes in with air support," Frank said. "The 3rd will act as the hammer while the LDF acts as the anvil."
"You saw their performance," Frank pointed out. "They can do it."
Pike nodded grudgingly, "Those LDF troops might not be crack troops on the field but yeah, they should be able to hold their own till support comes."
"We won't have to worry so much about the homefront," Frank continued. "I only worry about the 2nd not able to take over Orwell's Point before the rivers are open for the Empire boats to be used."
The rivers leading to the inland sea from the Empire would normally be frozen or the water levels drop below safe depths for their river barges and ships to travel. Once winter ended and spring comes, the melting ice in the mountains and surroundings will raise the water levels of the rivers and open the channels for ships to travel.
The plan was for the 2nd Battalion to air drop in 20 km away from Orwell's Point at the open plains and once the whole 2nd Battalion has landed, they will move in to capture Orwell's Point before the river recovers.
This will ensure that no ships from the Empire will arrive till the 2nd Battalion was well established and dug in in the city and also no news of the attack could travel by ship back to the Empire. The attack will be in complete surprise to the enemy and any ships coming down to Orwell's Point will have both the ship, crew, and cargo seized and impounded by the 2nd.
The next phase would be 1st Battalion reinforcing the city if needed via the float planes which will land on the docks with supplies too and the planes will return with slaves who are willing to work under the UNM.
The Air force will also be sending Blue Thunder and Rastraz along but they will travel at a slower pace as they will be carrying extra equipment along for the Marines. The dragons will take the role of observers and reconnaissance duties for the Marines on the ground.
The logistic of this operation normally would be easy to handle back on Earth. But with limited air capacity and lack of proper roads, it became a challenge for Quartermaster Chen who was ensuring his team has calculated the weight of every equipment to bullets to fit onboard the aircraft!
"Three combat companies and one support company," Frank said. "Think they can handle anything that comes their way?"
"Sir, I personally trained these men," Pike proudly declared. "I can ensure they will take Orwell's Point without any trouble!"
-----
The cold air of winter slowly gotten replaced by the warmer air currents that swept in from the east. The dull grey cloud skies were no longer seen as the clouds dispersed and the striking clear blue skies revealed themselves once more.
The heavy droning roar of engines resonated deep into the very bones of Slow as he sat on the edge of the seat. His bulky fieldpack hang at his knees and on his chest sat a reserve chute while the main parachute sat on his back.
The men's M1 Magelock were secured snugly against their belly just below the reserve chute. The buttstock of the weapons was removed and kept in one of their pouches. While for Slow, his MG-1 was stored with his ASAG, Asagi, and he only had a revolver strapped to his thigh. On his sides, sat other men of his section, shorter by more than a head to him as some of them dozed away or exchanged nervous jokes.
Slow tried to sleep but the constant drone of the engines made him hard to fall asleep so indeed he sat there and listened to the batter between his section mates. Suddenly a buzzer buzzed and the interior of the modified FB - 1 Mariner glowed red.
"MAKE READY!" The Platoon Sergeant roared over the drones of the engines. "10 MINUTES!" He held up ten fingers.
The men roused themselves up, and those asleep were jolt awake. "STAND UP!"
The troops lumbered to their feet as they were heavily burdened down by equipment and gear. "HOOK UP!" The Sergeant made a hooking gesture with his finger.
Slow reach over and snapped his static line to the overhead cable.
"EQUIPMENT CHECK!" He patted his harness as he yelled.
The men including Slow double checked their gear and harnesses, making sure their buckles and straps were properly locked and in place before checking the backs of their buddies before them.
"SOUND OFF FOR EQUIPMENT CHECK!"
"SEVEN OKAY!"
"SIX OKAY!"
"FIVE OKAY!"
"FOUR OKAY!"
"THREE OKAY!"
"TWO OKAY!"
"ONE OKAY!"
Slow's section called out as they finished their checks while the other sections in their platoon did the same.
An aircrew hit the hatch controls and the door slid to the side. He leaned out checking the exterior of the plane before running his hands all over the hatch to ensure there were no sharp edges. The Platoon's Lieutenant did a follow up check before he ducked back into the plane.
The co pilot sat on the controls of the FB - 1 Mariner and looked over his gauges. "Wind 210, prepare for drop!" He spoke to the crew at the cargo bay.
"ONE MINUTE!" The pilot called out to the bay while the Marines echoed.
"30 SECONDS!"
"MOVE UP!" The air crew waved for the Marines to step to the hatch.
"5"
"4"
"3"
"2"
"1"
The jump lights turned green and the air crew yelled, "GO GO GO!"
The first man stepped off the plane and kept his hands to his sides while the wind whipped him away from the fuselage. His static line ripped his chute open as he left the plane and his chute deploy seconds later.
One by one the men stepped off the plane and finally it was Slow's turn. They had done two practice jumps already and he loved it. He grinned with excitement and eagerly stepped off the plane and his chute deployed once he was away from the plane.
Dozens and dozens of dark grey parachutes that were made from spider ant silk floated gently down from the sky. If locals not of Haven, saw this spectacular they would be stunned and shocked as they would not understand nor comprehend what was going on.
The drop zone was an area of arid grassland, where the grass has frozen and yellowed from the cold. Slow hit the ground in a text book roll and he grunted as he rolled over a stone. He ignored the pain on his side and quickly collected his billowing chute.
Soon the field was filled with the platoon's chutes and the men quickly packed their chutes together. Several others headed to the air dropped crates to retrieve the weapons and supplies stored in them.
Slow quickly headed to the squarish object that had landed. He quickly removed the straps and restrains and Asagi happily unfolded itself out. The little golem stretched its limbs out in a manner like a dog before it rubbed itself against Slow who patted it on its head.
Next, he retrieved the package secured to its back and removed the MG-1 stored there and popped out a box of ammunition and loaded the weapon.
The men came over to Slow with their loads of parachute and they piled it all on the back of Asagi which made it look comical as the pile of parachutes were like three times its size after they tied it down securely on its back.
"Alright, boys!" The Lieutenant said. "Spread out and dig in! We are the first wave, the second wave won't be here in another ten hours! So make yourselves comfortable!"
"Radio operators! Set up your comms and put it under cover!" The LT continued to give out orders as the men went about their duties. "Sergeants look after your men!"
The Sergeants took over and they assigned the men to cover their sectors while digging in. The endless plains stretched out as far as the eye could see and somewhere in the distance is their objective, Orwell's Point.
-----
UNS Singapore, Command Bridge
"Sir, Operation Freedom has begun, the First Wave of drop troops had touched down and the Mariners are returning for the second wave in five hours," The operator reported.
Blake nodded as he looked over the region on the tactical plot. "Any reports of contacts?"
"Negative Sir!" the operator replied.
A radio relay system had been set up by having the dragons drop a relay antenna down on the canopy of the Uncharted Forest as a temporary measure.
"What's the ETA for the dragons to rendezvous with the dropped Marines?" Blake asked.
"Another 4 hours, Sir!" Major Frank reported from his Operation Center located at the Marine's Camp Alpha.
"Alright keep me update of any changes!" Blake said to Frank's image.
"It high time we kick some Empire Monday blues away!"
Advance chapters are available on Pat-reon
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Sry for the late update, just back from seeing the doc~
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