Capítulo 232: Slaves
Haven, Camp Alpha, Command Center, Operation Freedom, Day Five
"7 river barges impounded, over 200 other various types of small boats also held," Joseph's voice came through the speakers with some background static and slight chops to the audio feed. "Death toll as of now is over two thousand Imperial troops and slaver guards."
"2nd Battalion suffered two deaths and 22 injured," The 2nd Battalion commander reported. "Also there were 300 over collateral damage to civilians and slaves."
"Three thousand soldiers and guards captured and currently being imprisoned at the Slave Pens," Joseph continued. "We have taken major merchants leaders and the Governor as HVTs* (High Value Targets*) and will be sending them back for Intel to debrief on the Mariners."
"In total, there are over 3,376 civilian residents remaining in the city," Joseph's image said. "That's not counting the population of outlying farms and fishing villages. So far, the citizenry is following our orders without any issues."
"We seized over five thousand slaves, which more than half were so badly abused that they could only blindly follow orders," Joseph's expression hardened in the video link. "And over a thousand of those slaves are just children!"
"We found a slum about two kilometers away from the city that consisted of slaves too weak, ill, or crippled to work," Joseph's expression looked tired. "Battalion medics are warning all personnel to not approach the slums as it is overflowing with diseases and other viral infections."
"Its a dumping ground for unwanted slaves," Joseph gave a sigh. "Teams in protective gear checked out the slums and found hundreds of bodies, most in various stages of decay and some bodies are still thawing."
"Still there were two hundred survivors, all sick and malnutrition and half dead," Joseph looked deflated.
"Do what you can for them," Blake replied. "If they can be saved, do it."
Joseph nodded, "We can only do so much for them."
"Now, material goods ranging from winter food supplies are over 800 tons, enough to feed the whole city for a couple of weeks," Joseph continued. "We expect shipments of supplies to start coming in now that Spring is here."
"Over 27 tons of cold weapons and armor seized, two hundred war dragons taken from the stables and the valuables we confiscated from the merchants and nobles there, are still being tally. But current value estimated at over half a million gold crowns."
Someone whistled in the background, "Damn that's a lot of money!"
"We expect the figure to climb as seriously, some of the stuff here, we do not even know how much the true value is," Joseph admitted. "Just from the pay chest of the slavers, it's more than enough to equip a company of soldiers!"
An average layman in most kingdoms earns roughly one gold per year, the money plundered from Orwell's Point is more than enough for Blake to buy a dozen warships from the Isles!
"We are using the prisoners to help rebuilt the city and also to buff up the defense works," Joseph grinned. "We estimate another two days before traders and other travelers to start coming to the city as the weather turns warmer."
"Good, do what must be done," Blake nodded before turning to Major Frank who shook his head, indicating that he has nothing to add. "Alright, we will talk again later."
Joseph's image saluted and the video link cut off shortly. "So now, the easy part is completed. Here comes the hard part of holding the city."
"Sir, I still think we should ship a squadron of Cobras over via the Mariners in crates," Airforce Commander Tommy suggested. "The FA - 1 Cobras can be disassembled and reassembled easily. Having a fighter squadron would greatly help the troops there."
"Hmm, true," Blake nodded. "Ensure that the planes have a defendable location for the runways before giving Tactics a workable plan for that. There's no point to having the planes there but the runways get attacked and destroyed."
Commander Tommy nodded, "The Mariners will be down for major maintenance after this Op is over!"
Ford and Frank both nodded, "We really need a dedicated cargo hauler, just relying on the Mariners isn't gonna cut it in the long run."
Blake agreed, "Yeah, I agreed too. Still, we work with what we have now. Anyway, hows the defenses for all the outposts now that Spring is here?"
Frank gestured to the map on the wall and said, "Well, all the personnel at the mining outposts, farms, logging camps, and other works have completed their basic military training over the winter."
"They are all equipped with surplus M1s and the outposts are all fortified and holds enough supplies for them to hold for two weeks," Frank said. "We expect the feral goblins to start their usual attacks and raids within the week."
"All vehicles now are traveling in armed convoys and no one is to solo drive at any highway now," Frank added. "Even the new cargo trains have armed guards accompanying them."
"What happens if the goblins lay siege to any one of the outposts?" Ford asked.
"3rd Battalion is on rapid response duties," Frank replied. "The guys under siege at the outposts will hunker down and wait for the 3rd to come in and relieve them."
"The Air Force is also on full standby to provide close air support," Tommy added. "We can keep the pressure off the outposts till the 3rd comes and save the day."
Frank winked and bumped fists with Tommy. "1st Battalion will be holding the defenses for both Haven and Far Harbor."
"The Navy is also on standby for any sightings of goblin raiders," Ford said. "Intel has been throwing up UAVs and scout planes up to recce Goblin City for any ship movements. But so far they seemed to be trying to recover from the previous bombings."
"Good, everyone knows your assigned work and duties!" Blake smiled. "I can start relaxing and planning my honeymoon!"
"Yea right!" The guys laughed. "You are still the Boss!"
"Alright, jokes over," Blake grinned. "Great work all around. I want constant recce flights all over our area to spot any goblin movements. Hit them as they mass up, try to destroy them before they near any of our facilities!"
"Aye, aye Captain!"
-----
Dead Frontier
Teams of men carried several horned deers into the village to the cheers of the gathered. They managed to survive winter and now the wild game has reappeared due to warmer weather, the people won't starve anymore.
Borse smiled at the cheerful gaunt faces of the people and saw hope on their faces. The wild game they had caught will most likely be lean meat as the animals just came out of hibernation.
He needed to start building and repairing the palisades now that winter is over and also have the troops patrol their surroundings. So much work to be done, thought Borse. Food for the people, trees to be cut for lumber, the village to defend from Oerkin and goblin raiders.
And the constant threat of the Empire looming overhead, Borse felt very tired suddenly.
-----
Orwell's Point
Sergeant Mills jerked the black hooded merchant up from his knees as the roar of the flying boat engines grew in pitch. "Bring them all! Let's go!"
The frightened merchant cried and squirmed in his restraints as Mills and another Marine dragged him across the dock, his legs thumping over the gaps between the planks. They dumped the HVT to the Air Force who took over the slobbering merchant and secured him on to the seat.
Mills stood back and double check the head count of the HVTs been loaded onboard the Mariner and signed off his charges over to the Air Force crew chief. "All yours!" He yelled over the roar of the engines.
The crew chief gave a thumbs up and climbed into the plane and Mills helped the crew close the hatch of the flying boat. The crew gave a wave to the Marines on the dock before the pilot pushed the plane off the docks and headed towards the open stretch of water.
The engines of the plane grew louder as the pilot pushed the engines to the max and the craft roared its way across the wide river before it gently rosed into the air and it banked over slightly and disappeared into the sky.
"Alright! No more baby sitting!" Mills grinned to his men. "Now, get those prisoners to help move these supplies! I want them under cover before lunch time!"
-----
Joseph paced around the great hall of the stronghold as his staff manned radios and other command systems. "Sir, Dragon One has spotted two river barges on approach from the North East River."
"How long till they come in sight of the city?" Joseph stopped and asked.
"Four to five hours," The operator replied.
Joseph gestured the operator to enlarge the image taken by Blue Thunder. "Looks like a cargo runner."
"Most likely they are here to sell goods before picking up slaves and bringing them back," 2nd Battalion's tactical officer said. "Looking at the log books of the Governor and merchants here, seemed like slaves are brought in from the surrounding areas to be traded back to the Empire or other places."
Joseph nodded and grinned wickedly, "Hmmm, I wonder if we can trade off the prisoners for their goods?"
"Haha!" His staff laughed, "Well, Sir, we have to check with Higher Command about that!"
Joseph kept smiling, "Hmmm, well, how's the counting of the treasures we confiscated?"
"Sir, we are still going through all the stuff," One of his staff replied. "There are just too much and we are short handed."
"Alright, there is no rush," Joseph waved off his staff's concern. "We will load what has already being counted and weighed on the next flight back to Haven."
"Yes, Sir!"
"Any issues with the city populations?" Joseph asked next.
"There are several fights breaking out with the slaves and locals," Another staff reported. "We have a couple of stabbings, but not fatal."
"What happened?" Joseph's eyebrows rosed up.
"Seemed like the slaves were abused and treated badly but some of the locals," The staff replied. "The ex slaves returned to exact vengence on locals. We have arrested everyone who was involved, but these cases on the rise!"
Joseph frowned, "Issue out a statement to the slaves, tell them to report whatever abuses or injustice they had suffered to us, and we will investigate. I do not want public order to be disrupted."
"Ensure the slaves understand that. I will not hesitate to punish anyone harshly who breaks the law!" Joseph said.
Just at this moment, a Marine came in and saluted, "Captain! There is someone wishing to speak with you! Sir!"
"Who is it?" Joseph asked.
"Sir, the person calls himself as Mattew and he says he represents the slaves, Sir!" The Marine stood at attention while giving his report.
"Where is he now?" Joseph walked over to the Marine.
"Sir, he is outside the stronghold gates, sir!"
Joseph turned to his staff and shrugged, "Seems like we can save the trouble of issuing a statement to the slaves."
"Bring him into the parlor," Joseph said to the Marine who saluted and went off to carry out his orders. "Well, let's go see this Mattew guy and see what he wants."
Joseph was enjoying a goblet of fine red taken from the Governor's stores when there was a knock on the door. The Battalion Sergeant opened the door and a gaunt looking male with filthy red hair stood with two Marine escorts behind.
"Come in," The Sergeant gestured the man in and took up a position at the doorway, watching the ex slave like a hawk with his hand resting on his sidearm.
"Drink?" Joseph offered the slave who looked out of place in the finery of the parlor with his dirty and tattered clothing.
The man shook his head and stood there with a proud bearing facing Joseph and spoke in a serious manner.
"I like to propose an alliance!"
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
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dropping today's chapter before i get too giddy to do it... gimme more stones!
Capítulo 233: Barbarians
Uncharted Forest
The soft wet ground suddenly moved and soil slowly got pushed out, forming a small burrow. A bald greenish head appeared and it took a deep breath of the fresh spring air and giggled. Before long several more burrows appeared and like rabbits, goblins started to crawl their way out of the soil.
-----
Outskirts of Haven, Agriculture District 2
A yellow green hue covered a plot of land as several farmers maintained a spell over the land. Furrows appeared on the soil as the farmers used magic to tilt the plot of land. A tractor hooked up to a high capacity fertilizer spreader sat on the end of the plot, the driver waiting for the spell to end.
Once the mana dissipated away, the farmer moved the rumbling tractor forward and switched on the fertilizer spreader. The nozzles on the spreader sprayed out a liquid compost which was made from the city wastes.
The other farmers headed off to the next plot of land to cast the next spell to tilt the land while the tractor continued to spray nutrients to prepare the land for crops.
-----
Far Harbor
"Thank you for your hospitality here," Fleet Master Megan said as she stepped on the boarding ramp of her ship. "We will bring your wishes of an alliance to the Council to decide. With luck, we will return in time with good news!"
With that, she disappeared into the ship with Akron who gave a bow before boarding. Dijon stood on the pier with an unsure expression before he rubbed his head hard and said, "Oh well, my apologies on offending you by courting you while you are engaged to another man."
Sherene smiled, "The fault does not lay completely on you, I never told you I was engaged, and that led to some misunderstandings."
"Well, best wishes!" Dijon gave a curt nod before he walked up to his own ship and boarded. "I will try my best to convince the Council for an alliance, but from what I see, your man seems strong enough to protect you all."
He gave a wave and disappeared into his ship while the crew started to prep the ship for departure. Tug boats started to pull the sailing ships out of the docks and towards the open sea, and before long the ships dropped their sails and with the winds filling them up, they started to move and slowly disappeared over the horizon.
"Phew!" Sherene finally relaxed. "That's one problem gone!"
-----
Mining Outpost
Cracks of rifle shots broke out along the roofs of the mining facilities as a small horde of goblins attempted to climb over the series of barb wires and electrical fences that surrounded the locked down outpost.
The workers and miners had all trained to be part of the Local Defense Force as militia troops. The attack from the goblins came just after midnight when most of the workers were asleep.
The hungry goblins blinded by the powerful spotlights of the facilities ran headlong into the rolls of razor shape concertina wires. The sharp blades slashed and trapped the goblins in their rags, making the creatures yelp in pain and surprise.
The outpost's alarm rang out and the workers jolt awoke before they grabbed their weapons stored in the armory and took up positions on the roof tops as they were drilled and trained.
Lights flooded the outpost surroundings, exposing the pale green skins of the goblins and cries of dismay and shock. The outpost commander barked an order and the men fired in aimed shots, shooting at those nearest to the outpost.
Some of the luckier goblins managed to avoid getting trapped in the concertina wires hit the next line of defenses of electrical fencing. The voltage running through the fence was barely enough to stun silly any goblins but was enough to make the goblins jump up in shock and pain.
It slowed the goblin rush as they stood there looking at confusion at the strange fence, not understanding why does it hurt and makes them feel funny when they touch it. The defenders quickly made full use of the confusion to fire at the goblins and not long, the goblins fled in useless anger.
These similar incidents occurred throughout the night at different outposts, as the goblins came out to raid for food only to be beaten back. The Air Force scrambled its fighters into the air and they drop bombs and rockets at any large gatherings of goblins that were found.
-----
UNS Singapore, Captain's Quarters
Blake rubbed his tired eyes and gratefully accepted the mug of steaming hot tea from the steward and continued to listen to reports streaming in from Air Force Command and Marine Command.
"Nine of our outposts were hit, but so far none breached," Commander Ford yawned as he stretched himself out on one of the chairs. "We got a few injuries, mostly from falls and someone accidentally shot himself on his leg."
"3rd Battalion barely had to mobilize to support any outposts," Blake said. "Frank is trying pushing for a major sweep through the forest to clear out the goblins."
"Well, the number of goblins in each raid barely amount to two hundred," Ford replied. "Why not? Let Frank and his boys go hunting in the forest. the goblins seemed to be overstretched and in disarray."
Blake nodded and he hit the comms, "Frank, go kick some ass!"
"Aye aye, Captain!"
"Shouldn't you be on the Matador?" Blake asked as he ended the comms.
"Oh, there's still plenty of time," Ford grinned. "Intel estimates that the Goblin invasion fleet needs a half a week to get here."
"How many damn ships do those green shits have?" Blake frowned as he dug through his computer records for the Intel report.
"Well, the last report said that they counted like four zero vessels of various sizes," Ford replied. "I will sail out in the afternoon, and will expect to meet them within 28 hours."
"Compared to the previous fleet, I see our single bombing effort has shown some results," Ford pointed out. "That's like a third of their previous fleet!"
Blake nodded, "Well, destroy them before they come close. I don't want a repeat of last years battle clean up. Damn things can burrow into the sand and beaches!"
"Yea, that was a huge waste of time and resources just to clear them off the beach," Ford agreed. "Alright, I'm gonna get some breakfast before I return to Far Harbor. Want some?"
"No, you go ahead, I still got some reports to go through," Blake declined. "But help me get the steward to send some more tea and sandwiches up will ya?"
Ford looked at the cooling tea on Blake's desk and sighed. "Damn, how I wish they have some local coffee here, I can't bear to finish my last few packs!"
"Well, that's not the worst I can think of," Blake smiled. "Wait till you tell the Princess that the stocks of chocolate are running out!"
-----
Orwell's Point
The jolt of the creaking wheel of the wagon as it went over a hump on the road incited groans and moans from the people held inside a cage. Several burly men armored in a mixture of leather and steel rode war dragons next to the convoy of wagons.
Inside one of the more lavishly decorated carriages among the convoy, laid a half naked mustached bald male with a large belly on several fluffy pillows. On his side were three young women scantily dressed and giving him a massage on his shoulders and legs.
The convoy slowly came into view of Orwell's Point and they crossed the six meter long draw bridge just behind another similar convoy.
The head guard rapped against the wooden window covers of his master and said, "My lord, we have reached the city gates!"
"Good, good," Kuhm leaned forward from his position and pushed the window panels open and glanced out to the city.
A city guard came up and asked, "Purpose?"
"Purpose?" Kuhm frowned in annoyance, "To trade of course! Tsk!"
"We need to check your cargo!" The guard seemed unperturbed and instead said.
"You," Kuhm gestured to his head guard outside. "Deal with it."
"Yes, my lord!" His guard bowed and hastened off to settle with the city guards.
"Tsk! Lowlives!" Kuhm leaned back on the pillows while the girls fawned all over him.
Not long the carriage moved again and his head guard rode his mount next to the window and said, "My lord, the guards seemed strange..."
"What is it?" Kuhm frowned. "What is strange?"
"They... they rejected my offer of coin," His guard said.
"Guards that rejected money?" Kuhm was intrigued by this news. "How strange indeed."
"Also, my lord," His guard seemed nervous as he gripped his sword hilt tightly. "The city... feels too quiet!"
"Hmmm?" Kuhm pushed away the girls and he leaned out of the window to see for himself. And true enough, he sensed that the energy in the city was different and there were also no people on the streets only than them and the convoy before them.
"Send someone to find out what is going on!" Kuhm quickly ordered and he pitched forward just as the carriage stopped abruptly. "What is going on!" He yelled angrily as his girls helped him up.
"The merchants ahead of us suddenly stopped!" His guard quickly informed his master. "I will go and find out why!"
But before the guard could move his mount forward, a sudden voice loud and clear enough for everyone to hear spoke, "Everyone please step out from your wagons and carriages. Riders are to dismount from their dragons and weapons are to be laid on the floor now!"
The merchants and their guards were in an uproar when they had these demands the unknown speaker. The guards drew their weapons and formed up in a protective circle around their charges while the wagon drivers nocked and loaded their crossbows and looked around nervously.
"What is this?" Kuhm peeked out of the carriage window in surprise. "Has the Empire gone crazy? Are they robbing us in broad daylight!?"
"You have till the count of five to comply, or we will take actions!" The voice thundered again.
"Stay inside my lord!" His head guard sat on his mount and covered the carriage, his helmet head jerking left and right as he tried to find the enemies.
"Four"
"Three"
"Two"
"One..."
BAAAAM! BAAM!! BAAAM!
Several thunderous roars made Kuhm jumped and the girls screamed in fright. His eyes widen in horror as he saw his head guard's head jerked and the mangled helmet flew off with bits of red and greyish matter.
"Drop your weapons! Get off the wagons and carriages! I will not repeat myself again!"
"Breakout!" Someone yelled and the chops of hooves sounded as some of the surviving guards attempted to ride out of the streets, only to find the side streets were covered up and even the way out of the city was barred!
BAAM! BAAM! BAAAM!
Another series of thunders roared, and Kuhm heard clanks of armor and weapons hitting the ground.
"WE SURRENDER!" Came frightened screams and cries after the loud roars. "Don't kill us!"
"Drop your weapons! Get off the wagons and carriages! NOW!"
Kuhm with shaking hands opened the carriage doors and he kicked the girls out before him. The frightened women kneed with their heads down with tears streaming down their faces seemed fine before he nervous stepped out.
As he stepped out, a pair of rough hands suddenly grabbed him and slammed him down to the rock pavement, making him bite his lips.
"Get down! You fat ass!" Someone screamed at his ear and he felt hands groping his body and he wondered if he was going to be raped!
He turned his face and saw dozens of booted feet move around. The men belonging to those boots wore a strange confusing pattern of blue green and grey colored uniform and they were stripping the guards and other merchants of their weapons and other personal belongings.
"Who are these barbarians!?"
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES
Neobear
Neobear
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Apparently i am having a bad reaction w my meds ... and the internet provider is down (fixed) but my PC psu seemed wonky ...
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