Chapter 43: Mayday

With all this commotion, the fighting around the outpost was becoming more and more numerous. Thanks to the aerials of the airships it was now possible to communicate with the factory.

- No attack from our side Lieutenant. *Explained Keita*. We are doing everything we can to treat the wounded, but a dozen of them died in my arms, which brings the total death toll to 40.

-And we only have one airship with bloody medical equipment. *I sighed.* What a botched operation.

-I have half of the camp which is in poor condition and the other half in dozing.* say Swan*. If we don't have an airship, my guys will all go through it.

- So we will prioritize the outpost. *Said Keita.*

-And you ? *I asked.*

-We'll get by. Sergeant Keita over.

And she cut the transmission. Swan had lost a hundred men in the attack last night and again today before we arrived several were killed. The fact that we came as reinforcements boosted our morale a bit, but the guys were up against our enemies. In addition, about forty prisoners had been taken. Not having a cell, they were tied to poles in groups of 5, except for the old man, who found himself alone in a corner. Out of the question that he escapes.

-Lieutenant, when are the reinforcements coming? *Asked a soldier."

-Lieutenant Lancell must have been there for a while, right? But she is late.

-Don't worry about him, he must have gotten lost on the way. Have you seen those mountains? *I laughed.* No, seriously, we're still going to have to rely on ourselves. But don't worry about the refueling, it's coming soon.

The airship containing the medical equipment was not in the batch of the 5 which had come with us earlier. Now that it had been established that the enemy had no means of bringing them down, we sent a message for him to come to us.

- The supply will be there by tonight in the meantime stay alert. The enemy may strike at any time. That's it.

-Roger that sir.

Swan who was near had listened to my little speech and started to smile.

-You are aware that these are my men, huh. You can't help but take the big head.

-And you looked at yourself. If Marie sees you, she'll shoot one of those mugs. *I said.*

Indeed he was just wearing a tank top and had spots, he had tied his hair with an elastic band and you could see his plate around his neck. He was less elegant than he was used to.

-Marie will forgive me, all you have to do is give her a little speech, Mr. Charmer. Come on, I have something to show you.

He directed me to the back where there were a dozen guys. There was raven who removed the covers on the rifles stored there.

-Hey but it's...

-Factory developed anti-tank rifles. *Explained Swan*. These guys used it against us.

-They use our own weapons against us Huh...

-The fact that they know how to use it is even more disturbing. *Says Swan*.

-Not that many, there are plenty of former Dukam among them, ex-soldiers, doctors and gunners. Shooting our guns is not a problem for them.* Raven explained.*

-That explains the military precision with which he attacks us. *Says Swan.*

-That doesn't explain why they're so well organized. *Fit Raven.* Personally I have the impression of facing the army of another country.

-And I the army of another era.

Force Multiplier is a military term used by special forces to define a unit's ability to increase the number of combat-capable personnel in an enemy base country. This is the hallmark of American green berets, training simple people to become soldiers so that they can assist conventional troops or special forces. It would seem that Seb is a master in thid field.

- Repeat me your name again.

-Elias Rashford, lumberjack. Former sergeant major of the ducal marines. Sergeant Major of the whole corps

I was sitting next to the old man, what he told me about fictional rebels still confused me so I decided to find out more.

-Explain to me everything from the beginning please.

pov elias

I spent my life in camps. You probably don't know it but racial segregation in Elysion was stemmed in the years 886. The deportation of the inhabitants of Eden simply ceased and the slaves having regained their freedom mixed with the population. Only Inglesian King digest these changes badly, my people found themselves fulfilling a duty which impose on them by force. Until the year 1000 the military service was obligatory for all Apocrhype and me before the year 1000 I was already a soldier. Enlisted in the Ducal Marines the most elite force in Elysion I fought for them everywhere on all fronts in all climates against all enemies. And I was good, no I was even too good. With my brother and my friends we went through hell, I'm not exaggerating by saying that even if we had to face gods or demons we would have done it. But I was tired of being a war machine, I too wanted to have a peaceful life. Over time I fell in love with a woman, she was a servant in the ducal palace. But she was weak, very weak physically and could die at any time, according to the oracles she would only give me weak children, but love is blind and I stayed with her. During 12 years of living together not a single child was born, for 12 years we tried so hard, then in the 13th year, in March of the year 1000 our son Nahel was born. When he was born with silver hair, my people already called him a demon, but we saw him as a sign from the gods. A deity had given him to us, it was obvious, so it was impossible for me to let my son die after having suffered so much for him.

-Nahel Kieth Rashford. This will be his name.

Nahel was different from other children, in fact he was rather very adult mentally, he reasoned like a man when he was only 5 years old he was a little prodigy. I taught him to survive, I taught him to shoot, to fight and even to survive. In the end Nahel was stronger than what oracles had predicted and that's my greatest pride. Later Aisha joined the family we couldn't be happier.

- Excuse me but... When did everything go wrong then?

-I'm coming to it. 

Shortly after the birth of my son I retired myself and thousands of others like me. The Navy Department did not appreciate that so many good soldiers slipped through their fingers. They wanted us to train the next generation, our children to become Dukam. It was out of the question, none of my kind would die for the duke again. What we wanted was to go live quietly in a corner. So I went to see the duke in person.

- What did you go to see my uncle? Whoops. *He said covering his mouth*.

- The duke is your uncle? Ha, the world is small. *I laughed*. But whatever.

In gratitude for my good and loyal services, the apocrypha were released from their duty to the Duke. We could all go and live peacefully in the North. But in the year 1008, the nation of Sunthunder attacked the Duchy.

We were summoned to defend the Duchy, but we were old tired and it was out of the question to send our young people, in the end it was a crushing defeat for the Duchy and half of the county of Galathea was lost. The Apochrypha were held responsible for not having participated in the defense and were declared a treatise to the nation. Results...

- You went to war against us.

End of POV

It's a very sad story here but so typical of the shenanigans of the time.

-I see. In truth, we should have left you alone. But you still could have provided a battalion.

-You don't think about it, none of these young people were prepared for the war.

-Yes and in the end they have been fighting for 10 years. I understand your position as leader, but your decision not to help the Duchy at a crucial time was the trigger for these hostilities.

He looked me straight in the eyes and then looked away.

-I first thought of my people.

-You don't think in the long term then.

-Ha... You sound like Nahel.

-Nahel... Your son? *I asked*. You're going to tell me that I look like him and that we're the same... Please, that won't work.

-Not really. It's true that he has the answer to everything and always seems to know what he's doing. But my son is actually a very impulsive person, a character flaw he inherits from me.

- Ha, I don't doubt it for a second.

-And you kid, why are you here?

-Me ? Well... I'd be lying if I said it was for the country or some bullshit, the truth is I have personal interests in this conflict.

My face grew more serious and I crossed my fingers as I tapped the ground with my boot.

- Tell me Sergeant Major, if the devil had kidnapped your wife what would you do?

- I would go to visit him and with politeness I would take back my wife.

-Politeness ?

- That's the name of my machete. *He said smirking.*

- Then we understand each other.

I began to tap the ground with my foot harder and harder.

-We are used to being far from each other regarding the job we have. But when I found out what had happened to him I felt like the world was going to fall apart. Understand me, I've been with this person since I was a kid. Without her by my side I risk losing my mind. I still wonder what's holding me back from leaving this camp and going to find her.

-Your duty. Your loyalty to your brothers in arms.

-Ha... You're probably right. I have a responsibility to my men. And to my god.

I turned to the old man and fixed him with a murderous look.

-Arianne Rhodes is everything to me and I would burn your children and your brothers one by one if it allowed me to see her again by my side.

My tone and voice grew colder as my face moved closer to his.

-I hope for you that nothing bad happened to her, otherwise you will regret not having accepted the Duke's offer 10 years ago.

Then I pulled back and gave him a relaxed smile.

- But we won't get there, will we?

At the same time the first dirigible arrived at the camp. This one only had ammunition, no medicine. I have never seen my men so frustrated to receive only cartridges. But it was understandable their brothers in arms were dying in their hand and they had no way to help them they had to wait until nightfall. The wait was long, especially since we had provocative little skirmishes with our friends the rebels. The night ends up falling anyway. The enemy would surely take advantage of this to attack the airship. I would have bet on when the airship would come.

- When the fuck is this damn airship coming? "Fredy asked.*

-He will arrive when he arrives. *Quincy replied". Just stay alert.

He also had a small skirmish but nothing too serious in the end the second day was the quietest, especially since we had captured the old one. However, the long-awaited airship does not come because it was late. Our guys stayed up all night so as not to be taken in, then at the first light of dawn.

-Well, it's not too early. *Said Streiss.* I was starting to lose hope myself.

The airship ended up arriving anyway, apparently it had been instructed not to show up at night but in the end they ignored these orders to come and help the wounded in the outpost.

- Thank you Captain Holt, thank you for coming to help my guys. Tell Swan.

-The pleasure is shared. *He replied." When finished I will go to the factory they have better facilities and your guys will be safe.

- Yeah, I understand. Says Swan. But also take the spooky it will cover you.

- No lieutenant you need him more than us. We just load the wounded.

-Come on, Swan, don't worry, we'll be able to concentrate on the fight.

The rescuers loaded our wounded, about fifty guys, into the airship. I just invented the Medevac before my time and I was quite proud of it. We watched them board the airship.

- What are you leaving us? *Streiss asked Ludmila.*

-I treated half of these patients, someone has to explain to them how to do it. *She answered.* And they need a doctor on board.

-Watch out, ok, the factory isn't completely safe. Tell Reuben*.

I saw it in his eyes that he had a crush on his colleague and I envied him a little.

-Hey, I'm the one leaving the combat zone, it's up to you to watch your ass. Out of the question that I patch you up.

-I would like you to patch me up. *Said Fredy smiling.*

She rolled her eyes then climbed into the plane. The dirigible flew away slowly leaving us alone and delivered to ourselves. We looked at it for a moment moving away on the horizon line.

-Stop messing around boys. *Raven yelled*. The Girls have left the combat zone, it's time for you to come to your senses. Is that clear ?

-SIR YES SIR.

It was then that an explosion sounded. My heart stopped beating for a moment and I turned around staring into the distance. On fire... The airship was on fire.

-NOOOOOO..... shouted Ruben.

He wanted to run to the plane but Bryce caught him before he fell into the pit.

-Caaalm fucking down. Calm down.

-Ludmila... Fuck.

-Damn... It's my men on board. MY MEN. *yelled Swan."

Beginning of the 3rd and last day. We watched helplessly as our comrades' aircraft crashed. We heard the screams on the radio.

-Mayday Mayday we are going to crash. We're going to crash Mayday...

End of the chapter