“To Secretary of War Charlie Roberson, attached below are all recent reports from Alpha Base on Mars. Since the President's announcement about the ongoing conflict on Alagore and the Bridge, we have seen a sharp increase in raids against our territory on Mars and our trade routes.

  The WEL-Turkish skirmishes over the Solis Planum territory have continued, and our forces are monitoring the situation; however, two of our convoy’s have been stopped for “inspections” and one outright attacked. Colonel Gallivan is launching an investigation into the matter. The Indians and French have launched the two inspections, probably as a harassment campaign in response to us controlling the portal device. The attack at one of our refueling outposts is still undetermined – with the current suspects being the IRA, the Türkiye, or the Indians. Our best guess is the IRA as this station was close to Olympus Mons, while all others seem to be at random. I also wish to note that our Commonwealth allies have also reported WEL forces probing their station Victoria Station.

  Three of our spaceships were also attacked by the usual method. One of our corvettes were able to intercept, saving one while destroying the hostile ship. There has been a higher level of activity coming from the International Lunar Research Station (controlled by Chinese Maoists, used as a platform for rogue operations throughout the inner solar system).

  As of right now, we do not believe any of these powers know about Ashurbanipal Habitat – our Intelligence believes it is possible that the IRA does, based on their operations – so we do not believe the facility is in imminent threat. I do also want to note that none of these raids have met the level where we would have to respond. I believe they are taking advantage of the busy news cycle where no one wishes to speak about another raid on the Red Deseret, but wish to gain our attention.

  I am requesting additional Marines to Alpha Base. I know the White House might see this as an escalation and when we need as many resources going to Alagore, but with Mars being the only location where our rivals could flex their muscles without sparking an all-out war (especially now we are engaged in one), a show of strength could become a strong early deterrence.” - Major General Harris Space Command, Peterson Base

  May 12th, 2069 (Military Calendar)

  Wordton Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

  North America, Earth

  *****

  Natilite stared at the television mounted on the wall, letting the smooth heat of the Wordton Hotel’s hot tub soak into her body. It reminded her of a private spring back on Alagore—sealed off from outsiders so she and her companions could enjoy quiet girl time together.

  Across the water, Princess Assiaya and her wood elf friend Rosanhi sat whispering to each other, their voices hushed but their smiles playful. Fraeya lounged nearby, casually using her hydromancy to conjure lazy, drifting bubbles. As the others relaxed, Natilite kept her attention on the ceiling-mounted screen, where the latest Earth trial was playing.

  She had originally thought the trials a waste of time—just symbolic punishment for zealot Crusaders—but she’d changed her mind. The Americans were allowing the J'avais to damn themselves on live broadcasts, their supremacist beliefs and divine condemnations laid bare for billions to see. The Unity soldiers didn’t hide their ideology. They boasted about it.

  “What do you think of the trials?” Fraeya asked.

  “If it sways the Americans to support us,” Natilite replied, “then I’m for it.”

  “I see the trial on many channels,” Assiaya added. “A lot of the hosts seem to hate that J'avais.”

  “Three murders,” Natilite said. “And one rape during the assault on the city. I doubt he’ll go free.”

  “From what I understand,” Fraeya said thoughtfully, “this is the first time the Altaerrie are witnessing another human.”

  “I still do not understand,” Rosanhi said. “I thought the Lats, J'avais, Valkyries, and Nagals all came from this world.”

  “All true,” Fraeya said. “But they came at different times. Pre-orilla. Expect for the Lats of course.”

  “The legends proved true,” Natilite said. “The Lats arrived two thousand years ago through the Bridge. When you get back to Allsari, you will have a story to tell. The elf who discovered the Bridge and solved the old legend.”

  Fraeya blushed, sinking into the water slightly. “I was not the only one. And to answer your question, they all did. At least that is the current theory. For some reason though, only the Sapiens species of humans survived on Altaerrie.”

  “What does Sapiens mean?” Ar’lya asked.

  “It is a term I have seen in American biology documents,” Fraeya replied. “Think of it like we elves, different tree branches of the same species. In Altaerrie terms, J’avais are called the Homo erectus in their language. Same with the Nagals, being called Neanderthal. For themselves, its Homo sapiens.”

  “What about Valkyries?” Rosanhi asked. “I thought they were also human.”

  “I inquired in that also,” Fraeya said. “Ben was helping me look for these records. However, I saw some scienticts proposing the term, Homo valkyria. Maybe they have not discovered any yet.”

  “So…” Rosanhi leaned forward, frowning. “Was the Unity’s propaganda true? Did the Altaerrie – I mean Sapiens wipe out the other humans?”

  “Do not fixate on orilla blood,” Natilite replied. “That was during this world’s orilla, far in the past. Even on Alagore, there are species that vanished long before we were born. It's unfair to judge modern people by the wars of forgotten eras.”

  Fraeya shifted in the water, watching the Princess. “Still… I wonder. Will the Altaerrie and J'avais end up in a racial war too?”

  “I don’t believe the Altaerrie would want that,” Assiaya said gently. “They’ve always seemed the most neutral toward other races.”

  Natilite noted the weight of the question—and how casually Assiaya had said it. She wasn’t sure the blue-and-gold-eyed girl understood the implications. The J'avais were the largest human population on Alagore, followed by the Nagals and Valkyries. The Lats—descendants of Sapiens—were the smallest, though still counted in tens of millions.

  Before the Lats arrived, the J'avais had only ever formed city-states. They clung to strength and superiority, glorifying power above all. But when the Lats appeared and built the first human Empire, it sparked a never-ending war for dominance.

  Now, the Altaerrie had returned—same bloodline as the Lats, only more powerful. Would the J'avais challenge them again? Or stay quiet, afraid of repeating history?

  “You are right,” Fraeya said. “The Altaerrie haven’t imposed hierarchy. Ford called it something like ‘racial equality.’”

  “True,” Assiaya said. “Father avoids the topic entirely. Yeldan tried once, but that conversation ended poorly.”

  “For now,” Rosanhi said with cool certainty, “Salva is an elvish city. We won't surrender our culture just to empower the lower races.”

  “I’d be careful with that kind of language,” Natilite said sharply.

  “Altaerrie sensitivity…” Rosanhi muttered, folding her arms. “I did not call anyone inferior. Like all cities, we allow others to live among us. But Salva is still ours.”

  “What about the Altaerrie moving in?” Fraeya asked. “They are nearly a third of the population now.”

  Natilite caught the flicker of unease on Rosanhi’s face. This wasn’t a new thought. It had been simmering quietly within Salva’s nobility. And she didn’t blame them. Fear of losing one’s place was natural. While Salva’s people remained loyal to the Americans, good faith would only go so far if cultural tensions were left unaddressed.

  “Assiaya,” Natilite said, “the Americans compromised by allowing us to keep our motuias. That was difficult for them. Maybe instead of resisting, you could work to enshrine elvish tradition into Salva’s governance. I think your father would agree to that.”

  “I will try,” Assiaya said softly.

  “Natilite,” Fraeya asked, “you did not give your thoughts on the human rivalry.”

  The Templar studied her friend’s eager green eyes. She considered her words carefully. “The arrival of the Altaerrie proves what many suspect: Sapiens are superior. The Lats built an empire using magitech, and some claimed it was luck—Thali’ean intervention.”

  “But the Altaerrie had no magitech,” Fraeya said. “And they still surpassed everyone.”

  “Exactly. Two Sapiens lines, separated by millennia, both rose above the J'avais. I doubt the J'avais will accept that.”

  “You think it’ll turn into war?” Assiaya asked.

  “Yes,” Natilite said. “And I don’t think the Americans will have a choice. The J'avais will hate them—because Sapiens are the more advanced race.”

  As the weight of the discussion faded, Natilite turned her eyes back to the screen. More trials. More broadcasts. Unity soldiers, some from Toriffa, accused of atrocities—rape, murder, execution, genocide. The Americans were weaponizing truth: letting their enemies condemn themselves.

  It was smart. She understood the value of dehumanizing your enemies—it made it easier to kill them.

  A humanoid robot, dressed like a formal butler, approached with a tray of wine and juice. Natilite accepted a glass and gestured for it to give juice to Assiaya and Rosanhi.

  “Thank you,” she said politely.

  As the robot departed, Assiaya muttered, “Those things creep me out.”

  “I’m more surprised they use humanoid constructs like that,” Fraeya added.

  “Why?” Rosanhi asked.

  “Constructs are expensive,” Assiaya said. “We use them for war, not service.”

  “That’s not what Fraeya means,” Natilite interjected. “They don’t just use them for war. They built a servant class.”

  “A slave class,” Fraeya said.

  “They might not see it that way,” Natilite replied, shifting in the water. “But I find it ironic. They lecture us about motuias—and then manufacture their own slaves.”

  “Maybe it’s because the Altaerrie can mass-produce them,” Fraeya added.

  Natilite took a sip of wine. “True. And maybe we’d do the same. Still, I think they wanted servants without opinions.”

  “That’s why I’m here,” Rosanhi said. “My father saw how different Altaerrie manufacturing is. He wanted me to understand their economics.”

  “I’ve been studying it too,” Fraeya said. “They spend years perfecting a product. Only once it’s flawless do they mass-produce it.”

  “That seems inefficient,” Rosanhi said. “Why delay progress when you could improve as you go?”

  “I think it’s to save cost,” Fraeya replied. “They have laws about volume. The more you make at once, the cheaper each piece becomes.”

  Rosanhi leaned back, hand on her chin. “It’s dangerous. If there’s a flaw, the whole batch is wasted. And what about upgrades? You’d have to restart every time.”

  “Still,” Natilite said, “I see the logic. Like forging swords from a finished blueprint—you can produce twenty instead of one.”

  “Good example,” Fraeya said. “More efficient use of time.”

  “But circiletums aren’t swords,” Rosanhi replied. “It assumes perfection before production. That takes years of wasted coin before you profit.”

  “Different mindset,” Natilite shrugged.

  “Everything here feels different,” Assiaya murmured, feeling left behind.

  Natilite smiled. “I agree.”

  “When did you learn all this?” Rosanhi asked. “Did you visit an Altaerrie factory?”

  “No,” Fraeya said. “Benjamin helped me buy a laptop. We used it to access something called the Internet. I stayed up all night reading.”

  “What is this Internet?” Assiaya asked. “Father talks about it constantly.”

  “It’s like… information inside clouds,” Fraeya replied, gesturing vaguely.

  Natilite glanced up instinctively. Clouds didn’t seem like reliable storage, but she had seen spacecraft and off-world colonies. Anything was possible.

  Suddenly Fraeya stood up, waving. “Hi, Ar’lya! Over here!”

  The short brown-furred Farian walked toward them wrapped in a towel. “Hello, girls. Looks like you’re enjoying yourselves.”

  “What’s wrong with you?” Fraeya asked, grinning.

  “Still drunk?” Natilite teased.

  “Headache,” Ar’lya groaned. “Comanche partied all night. It got wild when the Boss and Rommel left.”

  “You were out drinking?” Natilite blinked. “How’d you get past the Secret Service? And the Ambassador?”

  Ar’lya shrugged. “Didn’t ask. I’m Farian. People ignore us unless they need something.”

  Natilite scowled. She didn’t know why it irritated her—maybe because she’d followed the rules and ended up in a cell, while Ar’lya had partied without consequence.

  “Also,” Fraeya said, “you’re shorter than Assiaya. No one notices you.”

  They all giggled. Ar’lya smirked and tapped Assiaya on the head before slipping into the hot tub.

  “No swimsuits, huh?” she said with amusement.

  “They call them ‘swimming suits,’” Fraeya said. “But why wear clothing to swim?”

  “Do they bathe in them too?” she added, laughing.

  “How do they clean themselves?” Assiaya asked.

  Natilite smiled as the girls giggled. When Ar’lya shed her towel and sank into the water, she reflected on Earth customs. In Alagore, bathhouses were communal. Nudity was natural. Here, perhaps Americans were ashamed of their bodies.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “I think they don’t like their bodies,” she said aloud. “At least in public.”

  “I’ll never understand humans,” Fraeya muttered. “It’s just your body. No one should be ashamed of it.”

  The robot returned with another tray. As it handed wine to Natilite and Fraeya, Assiaya reached for a glass—but Natilite stopped her.

  “They can’t have alcohol,” she told the bot. “I promised Matt.”

  “Why not?” Rosanhi frowned. “I drink at home.”

  “And I’m a Princess,” Assiaya added.

  “This world doesn’t allow children to drink,” Natilite explained. “And Matt made me promise to follow their rules.”

  “Since when do you care about rules?” Fraeya grinned.

  “You’re only saying that because Matt saved you from prison,” Ar’lya teased.

  Natilite froze. Her expression faltered. She didn’t realize how deeply that still sat with her—being locked up for doing what was right. The others must’ve noticed her reaction.

  “I’m sorry,” Fraeya said. “We didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “No, it’s okay,” Natilite said quietly. “I just… want to see the city.”

  “I get it,” Ar’lya said. “Ask Matt. He could probably get you clearance. He’s a Duke, after all.”

  “That title means nothing here,” Assiaya muttered.

  “They say that,” Rosanhi said, “but I don’t believe it.”

  “It’s true,” Assiaya said with an annoyed tone. “I hear it every time Father speaks with Americans—except Hackett and General Sherman. It’s exhausting.”

  “I think you were right, Natilite,” Ar’lya said. “The Americans are a sensitive people.”

  “So weird, right?” Fraeya said. “They love guns and blowing things up—turn everything into weapons—but get flustered over skin.”

  Natilite laughed, raising her glass. “So true.”

  May 12th, 2069 (Military Calendar)

  South of Virc’Veria, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie

  Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

  *****

  Antius and the rest of his Horatius were rushing through the muddy path. He saw dozens of Americans being rushed back to the Battalion aid station.

  With the Verliance Aristocracy and Unity's defeat at Salva, they were forced to retreat to more secure lines, away from American Special Forces. This brought them to the City-State of Virc’Veria a major farming and trading town east of Salva, and fortified it.

  With the City-State being at a critical crossroads, this forced USAM forces to lay siege to the urban center. Taking the outskirts had taken weeks, with fighting becoming a close-quarters bloody mess. With the terrain benefiting the defenders, the 4th ID and Rangers relied on their native allies, warriors from Salva and Vagahm, to help dislodge the bunkers, slowly chipping closer to the city gates.

  With Virc’Veria developing into a major engagement, Corp IV didn’t want their advancement to slow, as Sherman's personal objective was to swing around the 4th ID around the Vagahm Mountains and hit the Port City of Tarvass, a Kitsune-Kiriyak that controls the Great Kasin Lake. The General wanted revenge.

  Capitaneus Antius could understand why the Altaerrie General wished to strike this target as quickly as possible. At the final battle of the Salva Siege, they supported the Aristocracy's naval strike against the 4th MDTF, which devastated the American defenses and allowed a Unity Air Assault that almost split their new allies' forces in half. The only reason their Crusader enemies didn’t come out victorious was thanks to his Palatini, Horatius, who throttled the beach landing zone, buying time for 1st Astralis and 4th Infantry Divisions to wage a counterattack.

  Since then, the 4th MDTF and Voievod Athanasius Brighton defending Tarvass have waged a non-stop artillery war against each other, firing across the Great Kasin Lake. However, this was not sustainable, so the Americans are trying to swing around and lay siege to the city once and for all. The 3rd Armor Brigade sent a reconnaissance company to investigate the situation and find a defensive position for the incoming army. They found an Aristocracy border trench system and captured it with light resistance. That was until their recon units engaged an unsuspecting guest. The Pamlinitie Kingdom – the Kiriyak Empire, which came to assist Lord Kallems' war against the Altaerrie under Unity orders.

  When Horatius reached the recon Company, they saw the enemy pressing aggressively. Hundreds of Kiriyaks rush through the brush, assaulting the American-occupied fortifications. Multiple Buffalo light tanks with Archer's IFV are fully engaged, with one of the vehicles burnt in the wreck.

  Most Americans were held in the trenches, relying on their vehicles to conceal their outnumbered status. However, Antius saw where the enemy breached.

  Antius took his circiletum and looked down the iron sights. The Kiriyak warrior rammed into an American soldier, knocking him onto the ground. He pulled the trigger. The battery glowed slightly as the coil sets propelled the flechette. The first shot impacted the chest plate, causing the horned warrior to stumble from the genetic energy but remain standing. After pulling the lever, the Capitaneus fired again, killing his target.

  Other hostiles fell as Horatius approached the trench, creating a clear path.

  “Horatius,” Antius said. "Secure the line."

  The Legionary charged with their Luperca, taking the lead and passing one of the destroyed Altaerrie vehicles. When the wolf beast reached the entrance, he leaped into the air and landed between two Pamlinitie warriors. With his giant ax, he cut down a demonic-looking horned warrior with a powerful thrust.

  When the Luperca turned to attack the other, the gray horn grabbed the ax, causing the two to struggle in a contest of strength. Rutilus flanked the side and fired his staff weapon at the back of the hostile, wounding it. This allowed Duren to lift his opponent and toss the kiriyak I to the trench before letting out a howl.

  A kiriyak came charging, covered by his comrades. The horned warrior, equipped with a long blade in his right hand and a shield on his left, moved to cut down Rutilus from behind, only stopping as his shield was engulfed in flames.

  ?lia came charged, a white glow forming from her hand, forming a sword before flames followed. Using limited knowledge of atomacy and pyromancy magic to create a sword.

  The Legionary Elf charged forward, with their blades clashing. The kiriyak looked down at the woman, being two feet taller than her, but was surprised that his sword didn't penetrate hers, thanks to the stomach providing a solid base. At the same time, the flame from the pyromancy burned brightly. The two stepped away before clashing once again.

  An energy bolt and flechette from Rutilus and Kirath kill the other horned warriors. This allowed Derion to rush forward and leap into the trench, clashing with the defenders.

  With the path opened, their Primipilus Centurian led multiple Legionaries to the trench, weapons at the ready. With multiple kiriyak occupied, some engaging in melee combat with their Luperca comrades, they aimed their weapons and fired. With nowhere to flee, the Pamlinitie warriors were sitting ducks, being cut to pieces.

  Seeing that the breach was secured, Flavius-Elpidius Antius turned to see the status of the battle mage. The kiriyak slammed his arm sword against ?lia fire sword, forcing her to absorb the full eight of the taller warriors. Then the warrior used his superior strength and knocked her across the battleground until she slid against an alg barrier.

  Antius drew his sword and rushed over, blocking the Pamlinitie warrior's arm blade. For the Lat, it felt like he was pushing against a boulder tossed against him, arms and legs struggling.

  The Legionary Capitaneus stepped back as he blocked a second strike, unable to find an angle to counterattack. As the kiriyak raised his arm, a fire arrow impacted his arm, which caught on fire. The gray-horned warrior moved around, trying to extinguish the fire, giving Antius the opportunity he needed. His first strike was against the chest armor, which unbalanced his opponent. He then navigated around and aimed for the vulnerable spot on the armor, slicing the kiriyak head off.

  As Antius watched his opponent drop to the ground, he noticed ?lia standing with an atomacy bow with pyromancy flame arrows. She gave a thank-you stare before rushing to rejoin the rest of Horatius.

  The Capitaneus put his sword away and grabbed his circiletum and ran toward the trench. When he reached it, there were bodies everywhere. Most of the corpses and wounded were Kiriyak, but some were Americans who bravely defended the fortifications.

  There were survivors, either wounded or prisoners. The kiriyaks who survived were executed for betraying their religion and the Coalition. At the same time, Rose quickly got to work assisting the Americans. Those who still could fight grabbed the nearby elecprobus, the preferred ranged weapon of the Pamlinitie Kingdom. Centurion quickly explained the mechanics.

  "You are getting old," Rutilus said.

  ?lia unleashed her magical bow, and the fire arrow exploded against a kiriyak, engulfing him in fire. "Resistant armor. Next time, I will have his head."

  "We are not going to hold for long," Vestalis said.

  "Of course, puny human fear of a fight," Derion chuckled. "Go back to your baths. Warclaw will be victorious this day."

  Vestalis held his staff against the trench, using his shoulder and ground to stabilize the weapon while protected. "I was not declaring that we shall flee."

  "Horatius," Canina said. "Stand tall. Derion, ?lia, move to our rear. When the kiriyak swarm is, I want you ready to counter."

  The two non-humans left the trench and went to the above-ground fortifications. For Antius, he stood on the bench while firing his circiletum. Multiple hostiles were rallying in the tree line. He focused his fire against the forward group, hoping to keep the horned warriors pinned long enough for the Americans to send reinforcements.

  He knew he had run out of ammo when his coil gun clicked loudly. He lowered himself to the safety of the trench. He pulled a new clip from his side pocket before inserting the eight flechettes into the weapon.

  When Antius was ready, he peeked over before quickly ducking again as multiple energy blasts around the sides. He saw Derion with Rutilus picking up an M2 Browning before strapping it around their Luperca. The Legionary beast leaped over the trench and fired against the charging hostiles, using his strength to control the powerful recoil of the heavy weapon, laying suppressive fire.

  The rest of Horatius spread out, taking cover within the fortifications to hold against the attacking Pamlinitie. They were everywhere; with every hostile killed, two more appeared. They were also not easy to kill, with their bone-like natural armor that gave them extra realistic kinetic projectiles.

  While the standard American bullet or Imperium flechette can kill one. The issue was it would take multiple rounds to kill one with standard weaponry compared to must warriors in enchanted armor thanks to their natural exoskeleton armor. This mean area of effect or heaviler caliber weaponry such as a enchanted accelerator shell, .50 caliber, or the Buffalo 30mm were the most effective.

  "They are fully engaged," Rutilus commented.

  "Why are the gray horns assisting the Vampires?" Kirath asked. "They hate each other more than the Orcs hate us."

  "The Pamlinitie fall was hard when the Unity invaded," Canina explained. "Now they are tools for their Crusade."

  Antius couldn't agree more. Hispana and Pamlinitie were never natural allies, fighting multiple brutal wars. When Unity started its global crusade, neither country hesitated to form the Coalition. Because of their savage nature in combat, they were a primary focus for destruction. After the King was disposed of, much of their culture was purged, and the Katra rammed down their throats.

  The fact that the Unity was successful in converting the Pamlinitie shocked everyone. The kiriyak were the strongest follower of Tekali; of course, in their own way. But, having your government toppled, watching Temple of Astral Emilinya influence being burned away could make the most devout believer question his faith. For people who value strength, the Katra displayed its superiority against Mother.

  Ordering Rutilus to toss a Seeker into the air, Capitaneus Anitus pulled out a small crystal liquid tablet and stared at the feed. It wasn't the high resolution that the Altaerrie were accustomed to, being a bit fluid.

  That was when Antius saw a large enemy force appear: dozens of Walkers and constructs, hundreds of infantrymen offloading from wagonettes parked on the main highway. He was shocked by the sheer volume of enemy troops.

  As the seeker moved higher, a mortar walker appeared. Starburst fired with two glowing spirits toward the flying construct until the feed went dark.

  "We are fighting an Echelons," Antius said. He then reloaded his circiletum in preparation to fire, refusing to call for a retreat. Knowing that if they didn't hold the line here, the Americans' southern offensive would be forced to retreat to Salva.

  "Here they come!" Kirath yelled.

  The Pamlinitie forward line opened fire, blasting the trench with heavy fire. Multiple Archers and Buffalos were destroyed, causing the rest to fall back in reverse as they were outgunned.

  Rushing through the trench, Antius stopped when he saw Rose assisting two wounded Americans. The kitsune healer pulled an amber crystal from her bag. The crystal glowed, and she placed it over the wound, causing the dark man to scream in pain. The severe cut was cauterizing being healed. Rosa then grabbed her healing potion and fed it to the man.

  The Capitaneus looked down and saw what these two were equipped with—an Atlatl-guided rocket launcher.

  He grabbed the weapon and placed it on his shoulder. Walking onto the elevated bunker, the Legionary commander saw the hostile walker on the control screen. A box flashed before becoming solid with letters displaying LOCKED.

  Pulling the trigger, the missile injected from the tube and flew into the air. The missile took a sharp turn and impacted the top of the enemy walker, destroying it.

  The sight brought the Legionaries a moment of relief, but that quickly faded as dozens of walkers and crawlers emerged from the forest—hundreds of enemy warriors pressing against the trench system.

  With the Pamlinitie mobile force crawling toward them, the volume of fire became overwhelming. The few remaining Buffalo light tanks were annihilated. Debris from the enchanted projectiles and energy bolts destroyed the trench and any exterior defenses. Starburst shells fired from the mortar walkers rained all around Horatius and the recon company.

  With the next Atlatl missile ready, Antius fired. The missile flew but was destroyed by a static charge blasting the sky from an amplifier coming from the rear of the enemy formation.

  The forward Walker, equipped with ballista coils, focused on the Capitaneus, noticing the threat.

  The walking platform exploded in blue and red flames as the hull collapsed onto the ground. Additional explosions impacted all around the Pamlinitie advancement, causing them to pause.

  "What was that?" Kirath asked as he slid into the trench.

  Antius turned around and saw six Altaerrie tanks emerging from the main road to the right: two M35 Eaton's MBTs and four M16 Stewart light tanks drones. This would normally be a delight for the Capitaneus; however, he was shocked at how few armored vehicles the Americans sent.

  "Only six?" Vestalis asked.

  "Better than none," Kirath said.

  "That is none," Vestalis said.

  The Capitaneus couldn't disagree with Vestalis frustration. While the Eatons were the kings of the Altaerrie tanks, they were not invincible. And with a large walker column assaulting their position, they were vastly outnumbered. They or the rest of the recon company would not stand a chance.

  Before he could give an order, the two Eatons cannons fired against the Pamlinitie walkers, causing a loud echo and flash. The smaller drones followed suit with this smaller caliber. The kiriyaks heavy circiletum and elecprobus vehicles returned fire, causing an intense firefight between machinery near point-blank range.

  The skirmish lasted mere seconds as the American armor was overwhelmed. The far-left Eaton took additional rounds before another bright explosion, destroying all the exterior attachments. Two of the Stewart exploded from multiple rounds, with the other side melted. The last manned vehicle was heavily damaged and only saved thanks to the previous remaining Stewart active system, allowing it and the other Stewart to retreat.

  "They are abandoning us?" Rosa asked, shocked by the American armor retreat.

  "What was even the point?" Rutilus commented in frustration.

  "Then today is a good day to die," Canina stated.

  As the remaining tanks disappeared behind the hill, the enemy became confident and pressing against the remaining recon company. Antius looked toward his American allies to see their reaction. To his confusion, they didn't react to their armored forces fleeing. They either focused on the pressing enemy or the forest to the rear, but not with the intention to flee.

  Regardless, the dozens of Pamlinitie walkers, crawlers, and other heavy mobile constructs supported by hundreds of infantry pressed. However, that momentum and confidence didn't last, as all the walkers and infantry suddenly stopped. Only then did Antius and the rest of his Palatini realize that the ground was rumbling, as if a minor algquake happened.

  "Antius!" Rosa said with excitement, looking toward the rear forest.

  The Legionary commander looked, and his eyes widened in shock. Ten fresh Eaton's MBT tanks with dozens of Archers and Stewarts—some with 105 cannons, while others had offensive/defensive modules—were pushing through the gaps within the forest trees. It was an Armor Battalion emerging. That was when the Capitaneus realized that the armored platoon was a distraction as the rest of the battalion got into position. Now, they were striking with their full strength.

  Antius watched, seeing the brutal clash between Alagore tanks against the Altaerrie ones.

  Almost at once, the 120mm smooth barrel cannons fired an opening salvo, followed by 105mm from the Stewart. Multiple walkers were destroyed, and others were saved from barriers. The Pamlinitie returned fire while using their mobility advantage to move around each other.

  The two sides exchanged fire over the trench, forcing everyone to hunker down for protection. Cannon fire and energy bolts exchanged past each other. Missiles from the Archers flew into the air, with some being destroyed by the static charge attack or blocked by barriers; however, some hit their targets. The 50mm focused on the leg joints and the smaller constructs. Shells blew trees apart, uplifting dirt from the sheer volume of fire. Some walkers and constructs were obliterated by their lack of armor.

  The walkers crawled around, adjusting their positions to more elevated ones. The smaller ones climbed cliffs to gain a vertical advantage, while others sought curves to lower their profile. The amplifiers took center stage, focusing all their mana energy to deflect the American volley.

  For the American armor, many of the tanks suffered devastating impacts. Their active defense fired against many projectiles over the trench, eliminating some hostile kinetic weapons and providing relief. However, multiple American armored vehicles were hit as the kinetic projectiles battered against the hulls while penetrating some. One tank top blew off while another cannon exploded. The energy weapons burned the hulls of many tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, with more projectiles bouncing off. The tracks on another melted, immobilizing it.

  A Stewart fired multiple missile canisters from the Archer pods, exploding behind the barriers. Small butterfly explosive drones rained against their targets, causing minor but significant explosions against the hostile infantry and crawlers. This came in the combination of another volley from the American armored force, causing most of the Pamlinitie barriers to collapse as their batteries were drained or overwhelmed from the point-blank firefight. A mortar walker fired its starburst before exploding as an American around sliced through its three legs. Most of the crawling machines were heavily damaged or outright destroyed.

  The remaining American tanks – many battered with sizzling scars charged forward, driving over the trenches until they reached the other side. Their weapons continued to engage any remaining Pamlinitie vehicles. Hundreds of riflemen offloaded from the Archers and leaped over, securing the area.

  This allowed Horatius to emerge safely from the trench behind the armored battalion. Most of the Palatini were shocked by the engagement. This was not the first time any of them had experienced a duel between heavy vehicles, typically between circiletum walkers. However, this was different, and Antius knew it.

  Until now, they had only seen these [armor tanks] in a passive nature because of the mountainous terrain of this region. With this valley area, multiple roads are perfect for a dual vehicle.

  "That was different," Kirath said.

  "I want some," Rutilus stated.

  "And you said they were useless," Rosa said.

  "I stood by my statement," Canina said. "They are less mobile compared to our walkers. That said, in a straight-up fight."

  "I will stand behind them," Kirath laughingly said.

  It was a perspective with which Antius couldn't agree more. While the Pamlinitie outnumbered the Americans, their focus on armor over mobility was their salvation. His Centurion was correct. Walkers can coordinate with the infantry across this terrain, but in a duel, the Altaerrie's focus on heavy armor tilted the balance with a three-to-one kill ratio, allowing them to sustain multiple impacts vs. the walkers, who could only sustain one strike.

  However, Antius knew they didn't have time to waste. A war was still going on. "Horatius, reform and prepare to advance."

  As Horatius emerged from the trench, now filled with fresh troops, the Capitaneus saw the Battalion commander approaching. He and his Centurion saluted the Republic while the rest of the Palatini resupplied.

  "What can I serve?"

  "By going back to Salva," the Lieutenant Colonel said. "Your team is being recalled."

  "What?" Canina said. "The Kiriyak are on the retreat. We must give chase."

  "Not today," the Lieutenant Colonel responds. "I do not know why, but there has been a development in the north. All Minutemen are being recalled for a major operation."

  Surprised by the order, Antius turned to his Centurion, who reacted similarly. Horatius was not part of the Minutemen but had been working closely with them. However, if they were included, this operation must be essential.