"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message/communication apparatus]
Date: 14th October 1085
Location: Bavaria–Leichtstein, Leithanien.
POV: Narrator
An armored vehicle can be seen to be speeding through the wilderness, one can also see a Pythian lady, perched on top of it like a hawk, is eyeing her surrounding attentively. Her hand is gripping a giant compound bow tightly, there also appears to be several sets of drones crisscrossing the sky to provide reconnaissance and surveillance in case a hostile or foreign element is approaching the lone mobile fortress.
It has been merely a 2 hours since they left the mobile city, the rain grew worse but the Pythian herself is resolute to stand on guard. Chilly wind and stormy weather barely phase her. While she stand on guard, the armored vehicle also sheltered 3 individuals of interest…
“Conrad was it?” One of the passenger ask, she is the Caprinae woman. She prompted conversation with a rather interesting partner, which is none other than the artificial intelligence called C.O.N – R.A.D.
[That’s indeed me, something the matter, lady…?] The A.I shows expression through the moving screen that can freely maneuver within the vehicle. It shows an expression of puzzlement with a blinking question mark.
“Kola Löwenstein.”
[Ah yes, which name do you prefer?]
“Either is fine, I’m not exactly bothered with how people addressed me, truth be told.”
[Very well then, if I may be so bold I shall call you Lady Kola… so what is it that you wish to discuss?]
“Wouldn’t it affect Lady Baroness’ health to be so exposed outside against the storm?”
[Ah, that would be of no concern. I admittedly had some misgivings in regards to her workaholic attitude… but I assure you all that she was quite the dis-] A certain Pythian that has been listening quietly interjected.
“Sometimes I just wanna rip and tear off something… cables or the like might be acceptable… Don’t worry though, it has nothing to do with any of you. Just saying what I had in mind out loud…” She spoke nonchalantly, her artificial companion interface shown a sweating expression with trembling hands.
[Of course, My Lady... you might much prefer to have a little distressing back at base…?] Nyx didn’t answer, thus letting the A.I know that it is in the clear to continue… Is it forgiven? Well…
[A-Ahem, as I was saying… there is no cause for concern for Lady Nyx’s health. I daresay she is even more well-built, aside from muscle standpoint, and resilient than the finest Kazimierzian Knightess or Minoan War Priestess.]
“… In my opinion, wouldn’t it be more prudent of her to save her strength? It would be a disastrous misfortune if she were to perform haphazardly due to common cold as an example.”
[Indeed, thusly… what say you my lady? Fret not, I have the drones monitored the surroundings, thus you may rest easy for a moment. Come now, you had worked hard enough as is…] The A.I gives a thumbs-up and smiling face towards Kola. Nyx still didn’t answer, until they hear a sigh from outside.
“Fine…” Nyx immediately settled herself back into the vehicle through the steel reinforced window. Her movements were smooth and despite being drenched from head-to-toe, not once did she made a mess with splashes of water or the ensuing rain that keeps on worsening.
The other passenger, an Elafian Young Lady called Viviana can finally appraise the Pythian more closely with no one gunning for her or worse. The Pythian is clad in a mix of tactical black and white uniform and equipment that resembled a mix of Victorian, Ursine, and Columbian. She also has her hair tied into a ponytail, there are numerous gadgets and weapon all around her body.
Nyx of course noticed that the Young Lady had been staring at her quite pointedly, yet she feign ignorance to not cause her of falling back into panic. The Elafian girl had been seeing all manners of real world’s problems during their escapade, thus it would be better to just focus on something else.
Thankfully, Conrad is the ever enigmatic room reader decides to starts off this impromptu little socializing.
[I must confess that you’re not exactly looking like a military personnel Lady Kola, if it’s not too much of a problem, what are your occupation? You may keep mum and that’s perfectly understandable.]
“Hmm… I’m a concert master in Leithanien. Something that I had found to be truly enjoyable aside from taking care my sweet lady.” She said with a caring while caressing Viviana whom squirmed in embarrassment, at least the Young Lady’s expression is closer to contentment and ease now.
Kola then explained the intricacies of how one can be selected to be a concert master in Leithanien society. The A.I is listening with rapt attention while no doubt recording it, textually or audio visually, for her insight on the matter. The Caprinae woman alluded the fact that a concert master are also quite proficient in arts, with the most accomplished of them can even move the entire hall into one wondrous symphony by their lonesome. With Arts and musical prowess, the destitute and forgotten can uplift themselves to glory never once thought possible.
Amusingly enough, that’s exactly how The Witch King came to power. Arts and Musical mastery is the key to climb the ladder of social mobility in Leithanien, the easy way or the hard way.
“There lies a chasm…” Nyx voiced out her own take on what Kola had described.
“That would be?”
“Say, if someone is so great with Arts manipulation and being musical genius… what are the odds that they will be embraced with open arms; regardless of, for example, atrocities that they had committed in the past?”
“…” Kola bit her lips. The question Nyx asked of her was a really complicated one… She decided to just be honest now, this sort of thing would be discovered by the Pythian later down the line. It will also cast a positive rapport of not trying to deceive her, who also has reputation of not exactly welcoming for being misled.
“Leithanien’s general populace will most likely be… turning a blind eye to it…”
“I knew it… Which is why I have myself a partially warm reception… If I can use Arts, people would most likely worship me, isn’t that true?”
“… debatable, but definitely plausible.”
“Shame, I can only sing… say, what do you think of me? Just be yourself, I won’t held you accountable with scathing remarks since you can never appease everyone. People had been slandering, and insulting me when I’m not looking… So I just wanna know which one are you…”
Despite her misgivings of potentially slighting the Ex-Mercenary, she drew a parallel with Nyx’s ability to wedge her voice to fit everywhere each time she deign to lend her expertise for it. Nyx was somewhat of an enigma in the Arts dominated sphere of music of this country, her inability to use Arts should have brought forth the usual scorn but her nigh otherworldly ingenuity in creating songs never before heard had earned her the begrudging respect of Leithanien as a whole. Not all is sunshine and rainbow however. Kola’s critical assessment brought attention from the mercenary and instead of being offended, she listened quietly, not once did she cut her off. Nyx is true to her words.
Nyx voice is strange in the fact that it is too perfect, and perfection is bad thing in creating the rhyme to differentiate between one singer and the other. It is not wrong to strive for the best possible iteration, but the fact that there is little personal touch in it made the song lifeless. The Pythian is listening raptly, she even seems to be committing what’s heard into her memory.
Then there is also the matter of how she seems to be concentrating too much on keeping the song going than embody the song in its entirety. Kola and her fellow concert master had even brought this anomaly for discussion, a good portion of them realized that Nyx focus is divided into several parts, of which neither can truly pin point how many parts were there, but the most glaring thing is how she appears to be constricting herself too much.
At this point Nyx had grown bored and restart her guns’ maintenance. She still listened to what they’re talking about, but with lesser focus to spare and putting more priority of ensuring her equipment is all well-maintained.
[My word, that’s a wonderful assessment! I must also punctuated that I always wanted to watch an authentic Leithanien orchestra, choir, and concert! …Sadly I encountered difficulty despite my lady giving me the means of reaching it out for myself. They have no room to spare for an Artificial Intelligent that aspire to be par on enjoying finer things in life… but alas I can only entertain myself with Lady Nyx’s recording… which is, as you had surmised, terrific in all manners of musical qualities. Thus confounding my eagerness to compare hers with others.]
Kola was nodding along… then she can’t believe what Conrad had said, Nyx had been giving it pocket money?
‘Just what is the Grey Serpent really?’ Her mind is racing to make sense of this disjointed piece of picture. Nyx ruthlessness had truly been very effective for her self-cultivated image advertisement… too effective in fact that her more mundane, or unusual, daily ordinaries went right below the radar, or straight into the gutter, and even then was heavily scrutinized with skepticism laced with understandable apprehension. Then again, Catastrophe Messenger’s development had at least shed a tiny hopeful light on her bloody bog of a respected but horrifyingly dreaded reputation.
Kola’s gaze turned towards their escort, Nyx is using a specialized equipment to dry her uniform without taking it off. She is currently seated on the comms chair while having her hands fiddling away with weapons and equipment. She laid a piece of assault rifle and a several modular attachment next to it.
The Caprinae woman cringed internally at how much this single set of equipment would cost to both supply and maintain, and The Grey Serpent has multiple of these Laterano’s weapon. She then decide to just not question it and prompt another conversation with the A.I.
“Quite fascinating and yet, no offense to you…” Kola bowed her head with an apologetic smile towards the curious looking interface.
[None taken, Lady Kola.] The interface screen shows a moving image of a smiley face just waving it away like it is no big deal.
“It is a surreal circumstance to provide an artificial intelligent with such mundane and redundant accommodation… Surely Mr. Conrad would be more than satisfied when using the much more effective source of self-application and expression, such as local network.”
[Hmm? Mr. Conrad, that’s new. Another entry for the database.] The A.I’s interface changed into that of a merrily jumping man, to then morph into one taking notes with the signature glasses on. Conrad moved its attention to the Pythian, equally curious with this matter.
[I also wish to know my lady, why do you care so much? In all honesty, your generosity is considered a travesty for all sorts of redundancy. I’m eternally grateful for your accommodation, but logically speaking it’s truly illogical and unnecessary.]
“Really? That’s what you both are more interested with? You could have asked for something more… hah, whatever…” Nyx’s face, albeit only the tiniest bit of slightly, contorted into disbelief, seemingly screaming that it’s theirs that was weird. Regardless, she heaved a sigh before answering.
“… It is just how I operate, need to ensure and explore possibilities. Regardless on how much I just wanted to dump Conrad into a pool the-”
[YOU WHAT!?] The interface shifted into a face of pure horror. It elicited a giggle from Viviana, she found the A.I to be truly interesting despite its monotonous tone. Its ability to speak with such politeness added another layer of happy little spices on this casual discourse between them.
“Oh shu- be quiet, I’m not finished. You re- You insufferably obnoxious A.I.” The Pythian lady hissed at her A.I. companion. Then the fact that Nyx is grappling with her own cursing habit also happens to be another form of entertainment for the passengers onboard.
“… Once again, it is how I operate. I mean… what measured as actually living or not? Does it really matter where or from what you’re born? To me, there is no reason to put someone down without a clear reason, you will only end up bitter and angry while expending needless energy. By the end of the day, we will all face death with its numerous flavors… Death of personality, death of passion, death of drive, and so on so forth… But death is a good thing…”
“Why is death a good thing?” Viviana finally spoke with her own initiative. Nyx is pleasantly surprised of her initiative, the Elafian seems to have some backbone already embedded and only needed room for grow.
“Are you ready for it, or are you still scared?” It appears rumors about there being something terribly wrong with her head is true after all… Nyx sports a thin, but blooming, amused grin, although outside parties would argue it looked more like a barely held back predatory smirk.
Naturally the Young Viviana is conflicted. On one side she is always eager to understand the implicit meaning in words, just like her poem recital, a chasm it may be, yet usable all the same. On the other hand, her mind is still unconsciously gripped by fear, especially after all the incidents that had contributed on this predicament of hers. She look towards Kola for guidance, but she found her only looking at her encouragingly, it is hers to decide after all… and she surmised that she’s yet to be ready.
“… I’m scared…” She said nothing else. Kola was both shocked but also overjoyed. She was sure that the Young Lady would still be in her slump thus choosing the hard but also surefire way to grow, but the fact that she shows understanding on herself, to love herself first and foremost, is a massive pivotal improvement.
“Understandable… so listen to my little rambling.” She relaxed on the chair after swiveling it around to face the young Elafia, her hand is holding the now well-maintained assault rifle. Being brave is something worth celebrating of course, but being patient? That’s a lot more important in how one shall grow. Of course circumstances exist, but that’s beside the point.
“Life that we have is actually meaningless in the grand scheme of things, a really negative look on how we’re always encouraged to see the next day, and yes I’m aware. Hear me out first; I said it without a shred of an intention to dismiss or even ridicule that drive, no. I only states the fact; death comes, and nothing you can do about it. Are you still following?”
“Yes…”
“Then, ‘If this life of mine overturned by a single death, why bother?’ you might ask, but I’ll fire back. Why are you attaching a last ditch argument to an inevitable eventuality and wasting personal drive on a predictable answer? Is it really worth it to keep staring at an intangible surety? I say no. It would be better to look into what already presented itself to you.” She put her assault rifle back inside its weapon case.
“Past, present, or future is not the point, that’s just the side benefit of what foundation you had made yourself. You wanted to read poem for the rest of your life? Sure go out there and travel the land, catalogue everything too, that’s one answer.” Nyx suddenly scoff, but not from annoyance.
“… I sound like certain someone just now…”
“Who?” Said a certain Elafia.
“No one important, but where was I…? Ah yes.” The Pythian looked through the window briefly, staring upon a far off place… She then continue.
“Another examples… you wanted for orphan to have somewhere to call a home? Sure thing bud, starts doing and finding ways to make it happen such as opening up a business chain or cooperation for funding. You wanted to be a beacon of hope? Then go out there and start kicking those sons of bit- devise your own way to be one. Point is, you’re the only one responsible to understand your own worth.” She said nothing else, pulling a nearby pillow to then placing it behind her neck, and goes for a nap on her chair.
“…” Viviana fell silent into contemplation, the others also followed suit. Was the Ex-Mercenary’ rambling an arrogance built upon foundation of hypocrisy or keen understanding in regards to human nature? No one there, safe perhaps for Conrad, has a definite answer to what Nyx actually thinking…
They sat quietly before once more engaging in more productive but less serious conversation. Conrad shared some tales of Nyx’s exploit as courier and what she usually does when not doing anything, barring detailed missions and private matters of course. Viviana, having calmed down more or less, chimed in with her interest writing poetry or books. She also added her dream of becoming a knight and uphold chivalry. Kola, and even Brant that has been focusing on the road, added their own parts from time to time.
Aside from the update in regards with the rainy weather, thus prompting Conrad to rotate drones more frequently with lesser numbers, another hour passed by without anything worth noticing before Conrad brought an alarming development.
[Multiple unidentified vehicles are approaching from southeast. Sentry drone 5 had just recently detected incursion from the sky, a single medium to large size, and unidentified, aerialcraft had breached the perimeter from northwest, and thus we’re being pincered. ETA for ground targets; 50 minutes. ETA for aerial targets; 10 minutes. Due to our current load and terrain, the vehicle is unable to go faster than 50 Kph (31 Mph) at the moment notice. Moving on, 9 out of 12 drones are rendered combat ineffective due to wear and tear plus lengthy field maintenance courtesy of stormy weather.]
“Jeez, couldn’t they wait a little while longer? Welp, time to go back to work… before that though…” Nyx, still visibly displeased for the rude awakening, looked towards the Elafian. Her gaze softened and she pointed towards a shelf on the upper left next to the door.
“In case either of you did something brave or stupid, that right there is where the Arts suppressants are at.” The Pythian said nothing more and slide her way outside once more, the rain still pouring and perhaps even worse than before.
“Good god, what is with this weather?” Despite complaining to no one in particular regarding the weather, she stand up confidently with the bow in her hand. The bumping, swaying, and rocking of the vehicle didn’t even cause her to footing to be compromised in the slightest, The Grey Serpent stood like a solid pillar made of steel. Her gaze pierced through the darkened cloud, ready to intercept anyone who dared standing in her way.
Unlike Hovercraft or Helicopter that can pack a serious amount of firepower and cargo, Rotorcraft size never exceeded that of a truck and their speed rarely reached 160 Kph (100 Mph). The incoming craft’s origin is dubious, but given the fact that Leithanien putting lesser importance on technology, one might wonder who they are…
Then Nyx’s earpiece received the latest update from Conrad.
[My Lady, I can try make a pass against the incoming aerial threats that would potentially sacrifice a drone. The weather had also deterred them from going in full speed… your decision?]
“Strip its gun then make it count, oh and don’t forget to seal the window and suppress the sound transmitter inside.” She pulled out a large metallic arrow, more like a shortened spear if anything, from the quiver that has been laid on the vehicle’s roof below her. She pulled the string taut, her hands steadied, and her gaze undeterred by the pouring rain, thus the bow was raised towards the heaven poised to strike down…
[Acknowledged, window sealed and sound suppressed with synthetic and fake iteration. Next, dispatching recently maintained drone 8 to conduct a fly by, drone shall not immediately engage in hostility. Kamikaze option?]
‘Fly by… heh, when was the last time I heard that again…?’ Nyx is deeply amused. It has been years since she can actually hear that word again. The world of Terra has a truly wacky technological advancement. Then she recalled that Conrad had yet to receive its further directive.
“Nah, because what’s another 10,000 LMDs really? But in hindsight, guess we must pack cheaper drones huh? Oh well… my fault really, and so much for being cautious…”
Moving onto the incoming hovercraft.
“Hmm?” A Feline woman said while checking on the hovercraft’s software and secondary weapon systems such as rockets and smokes. She is wearing what appears to be a standardized uniform for a paramilitary, she is armed with repeating crossbow just on her left side of the cockpit. The Co-Pilot just spotted a blip in the radar.
“What’s wrong?” A Liberi man, clad in the same paramilitary equipment and armed with originium pistol, he is currently piloting the craft through the raining sky. A perfect time for clandestine ops, while also an annoying, restrictive and dangerous one to boot.
“Seen a blip on the radar. Just wondering if it’s happening again, like damn, we got chewed up for mixing up blip with tracking signal…”
“Regardless, that’s just how she works ya know. Kinda ass but she meant well…”
“No other way huh?”
“Unless you wanna get discharged, then let the captain know it.”
“Ya sure? Gonna be real here man, this storm is ass and being sent here amidst the storm is beyond idiotic.”
“Positive, so get to it while I make sure that we won’t kiss the ground.” His co-pilot seems to still be staring hard at the radar’ interface, he sighed before waking her up from self-inflicted stupor.
“What are you waiting for? Contact lady grumpy-pants, don’t wanna get chewed up for dereliction of duty or some shit…”
“Rog’ wait one…” She then contacted her CO for the current task directive.
“Hunter 1-1, this is Condor, radar detected a small blip, advice? Over.” She doesn’t have to wait long until a woman voice of her CO was transmitted. She sounds genuinely surprised but also also miffed.
[This is Hunter 1-1, if that’s positive, most likely a civilian grade drone from the looks of it. IFF is not responding on my end, so it shouldn’t be our asset either. Break. … I don’t want to risk it, these Rusthammer crowing on and on with not wanting technology yet somehow drones or jetpacks doesn’t count as technology for some of them… shoot it down. How copy? Over.] She received his order.
“Condor here, affirmative on last. Over and out.”
“Ya hear that?” The co-pilot checked back on her pilot.
“Yep, I’ll line Little Maggie up, and let me handle this one. Can’t waste explosive on a measly drone.” The hovercraft aligned itself, originium cannon pointed forward and all the pilot need is to squeeze the trigger. The incoming silhouette of a drone is now visible, and despite with its gun had been removed, was still deemed as hostile and thus shot down.
Back to Nyx
“… And here I tried to be diplomatic.” Was Nyx’ answer when Conrad reported that the drone was shot down immediately, precisely when it entered the rotorcraft’s originium gun optimal firing range. The Pythian mercenary is genuinely angry, it is somewhat unreasonable given the circumstances yes, but shooting down a clearly unarmed drone like that just confirm that they are hostile.
[A minor setback and you can claim an eligible self-defense initiative, and I managed to identify the craft as a medium sized hovercraft. They’re clearly a part of a group with less than savory intent, thus you’re still adhering on Contingency Contract, Article 17 in regards to hostile entity and Article 6 in regards with self-defense and maintaining personal safety.]
“In that case, I can just wipe them of-”
[However, Catastrophe Messenger primary code of conduct, specifically Article 2, in regards with pacifying potential conflict without bloodshed is always paramount. The method is flexible and the personnel on the ground must do what they can to discourage hostilities.]
“You really memorized everything. Well, your programming does include adherence with protocol unless otherwise is stated… warning shot it is. The last thing I wanted is to shot down a government asset with weak justification… prepare a separate recording because we’ll fight dirt with dirt.” She put the arrow on her hand back into the quiver below.
She then pulled a different arrow with a much more sophisticated mechanism and visual. For one, the arrow is pulsating with a mix of bluish hue and yellow mechanical glow. Nyx can’t help in suppressing and containing her grin, she has almost little to no chance of using this particular Black Market of Ibut region masterpiece due to the lack of actual target it was intended to shoot down.
“This should do it… and I’m starting to like The Sand Soldier a lot. The brat might still be wet behind the ears of how to properly make use of cruelty, but his brain is something else…”
[… That arrow cost you 4 million LMDs to manufacture… wouldn’t it be more cost efficient to use mass-produced, industrial pattern, arrow for a mere warning shot?] Conrad is exasperated with his’ mistress shenanigans. On one hand she is charitable, on the other? She is also ‘charitable’ enough to not be stingy when the mood struck her.
“It was paid with bonafide gold bars and crystalline, if anything I won out on the bargaining table.”
[Which you’re in luck since Sargon has an unhealthy penchant for gold bars of the highest purity. Regarding the crystalline, you’re violating the 31st CM article of illegal mining and procurement of minerals.]
“That might be so, but we know that mere arrow won’t penetrate a hovercraft windshield that high up in the air no? Wouldn’t it be better to make a point?”
[There you go again, disregarding my reproach and it appears you misunderstood the point, meaning, and understanding of what is a “Warning Shot” in the first place… Regardless, they shall enter your range in 20 seconds…]
A moment later.
“Hunter 1-1, we spotted the target, get ready to repel and captu- wait, hold on… There is only a single van ther-” Her monologue was cut-off, reason? A huge fucking arrow just stopped short 10 away centimeters from her chin, the hovercraft was terribly shaken off by a tremendous force. It was naturally inconceivable that an arrowhead managed to overpower a military grade light plating, ballistic screen, and some part of the windshield in a single go.
Condor’s hovercraft starts to goes out of control, but the combination of the pilot’s skills and a shit ton of luck managed to allow him of re-stabilizing the craft. The primary system appears to be damaged, further compounding the fact that the arrow might have something in it that scrambled communication system.
Not long after, Hunter 1-1, a Zalak woman, barged into the cockpit. Her expression is alarmed seeing a huge arrow centimeters away from ending the co-pilot’s life. She immediately snap her out of it.
“What the hell happened!? And pilot, starts evasive maneuver and try to get out of range for now!”
“Roger that!” The Pilot said, barely avoiding another arrow. The arrow grazed the hovercraft’s body, eliciting metallic scream and creaking at how deadly the power that propelled it was. The sound had also inflicted a light – medium, and even heavy, degree of tinnitus towards the rest of the paramilitary personnel within the transport compartment, with the Felines and Perros suffering the worst of it.
“Give me Sit-rep!”
“We’re being engaged by an unknown at the moment notice! Most likely from something atop that single van! We were just about to hover and prepare you guys for repelling down…”
“What do you mean a single van!?”
“I swear that was the last camera transmission before it gone down!”
“Alright whatever, just give me damage report…” The Zalak woman pressed a single palm on her temple, she can’t believe this happened now of all times.
“Systems are damaged after impact, we can only fix it back at base due to the extent of projected damage. Comms are down, luckily the originium autocannon seems to be working. The primary camera got fried, but the second one were not activated, so I can try to bring it up.”
With uncertain factor suddenly showing up on their mission, the craft distanced itself without receiving further anti-air projectile. The weather is making it difficult to make a direct observation.
“Camera’s up!”
“Patch it through the screen!”
The camera take some more time to stabilize and connect itself with the primary interface. The co-pilot starts to zoom in on the suspected convoy while Condor maintained a parallel flight pattern with it… all of them are horrified seeing a woman with a giant bow standing up, arrow nocked and aimed, right at the camera.
“… The Grey Serpent…” Hunter 1-1 said with terror lacing each syllables of her words. What should have been an easy cash and grab mission turned into total nightmare. Her fame is known far and wide, having the privilege of receiving a firsthand demonstration of her prowess is not something worth rejoicing if you are the target.
“Get clearer image…”
“Affirm.”
They zoomed in and sees that she do nothing else, but the fact that she kept her bow strung tautly and steady shows that she is willing to let it slide but only if they are refraining from being stupid. On one hand, they have a mission to complete on the other… they’re all face-to-face with death glaring at them right on their faces. One wrong move, and this craft will crash into the dirt, killing her and the other team members onboard.
“…She is staring right at us… what do we do, capt’n?”
“… Abort the mission, this hovercraft worth more than people who gave us a miss of an intel. Asking for rusthammer location, instead almost get killed by the goddamn sadistic Pythian merc…” The Zalak woman decided that they can’t risk losing the hovercraft; this thing was never cheap to procure and maintain. There is also the matter of why they received faulty intel of the highest level of possible insanity, she would definitely give the intelligence a piece of her mind…
“… Affirmative, we’re leaving the AO.”
“Just my damn luck…” She sighed dejectedly and left cockpit section of the craft. Once she arrived back on the transport compartment, she can see that all of her team members heaving sigh of relief. They were listening upon the conversation between the captain and pilots, and the camera feed made things easier on them to comprehend the reality of which they just draw the short straw in luck but was wisely mitigated.
Back to Nyx
“I’ll be damned, they actually have a functioning brain.” She undo her stance and let the string off from her taut and tight draw. She doesn’t dally anymore and turned her eyes towards another upcoming force, her grin grew wider before Conrad’s voice entered her ear.
[That was a bit much for “Warning Shot” My Lady…] Nyx can’t see it, but Conrad’s interface had turned into an exasperated face. The passengers inside the van had also spectated what she had done through the camera recording, without voice of included of course, they too are bewildered because her warning shot can actually damage and potentially kill her opponent with such nonchalance.
“Conrad, how long until our, alleged, pursuers arrives?” Yet the Grey Serpent just breeze past it and inquired a much more important situation.
[…It would be approximately 38 minutes my lady.]
“Then please take over the rocket launcher for me and prepare on my signal.”
[Opening up the weapon mount, setting in the launcher, attaching in the rocket… one freshly maintained rocket launcher is at your disposal.] A rocket launcher on a mount rose up from within the vehicle. Nyx leaned in and prepare for the upcoming pursuers…
[Round two it is…] Her drenched figure amidst the rain shows her confidence that is borderline arrogance. Thus she wait…
POV:???
“Useless mud blood!” I can’t contain my anger anymore, I was sure that those mud blood would at least slow them down. Thus seeing them flee without a fight like that just reinforced the factual truth that they’re just peasants by the end of day.
“U-Um…. Grafin Herkaienen… we must turn off the Whisperer… else it woul-” I silenced an insolent sorry excuse of His Majesty’s finest, it doesn’t even deserve to be of Leithanien's blood. My blessed hand decreed that I burn this thing down to ashes, the others around me cowered in fear as they should be.
“Anyone else wish to speak out of turn!?”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“Then listen to my word and catch those reprobates! Remember! No one should touch that worm, I’ll deal with that thing personally, am I clear!?”
“Yes my lady!”
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author’s Note:
Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who will soon have his thesis tested.
Who were onboard those hovercraft? I don’t know, you tell me. :)
The Hovercraft that I invented for this fanfic is a mix of S-72 RSRA and AW109S Grand. The difference being the S-72 wings are modeled like V-22 osprey and its body has been enlarged to accommodate more cargo. Being a V-TOL with originium engine meant it has better hover performance but shittier speed. The Agusta Westland part is for better interior and modularity.
Quite cursed, but moving on…
How come Nyx outranged Terran’s autocannon? Simple, except for rocket, artillery, and indirect fire weapons, all guns in terra have shit range and velocity compared to our world. At the moment I had yet to see rocket, but I’m quite convinced HG will wedge it in soon enough.
Yes rotorcraft exist. From what I can interpret from the lore, it usually goes about less than 200 kph (120 +/– Mph). I forgot which one it was whom had explained that, was either Redd or Guard, stated that Ursus employed rotorcraft the size of a bike for recon.
Update as… not so sure actually? Eh…
Ciao.
"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message/communication apparatus]
Date: 14th October 1085
Location: Bavaria–Leichtstein, Leithanien.
POV: Narrator
An armored vehicle can be seen to be speeding through the wilderness, one can also see a Pythian lady, perched on top of it like a hawk, is eyeing her surrounding attentively. Her hand is gripping a giant compound bow tightly, there also appears to be several sets of drones crisscrossing the sky to provide reconnaissance and surveillance in case a hostile or foreign element is approaching the lone mobile fortress.
It has been merely a 2 hours since they left the mobile city, the rain grew worse but the Pythian herself is resolute to stand on guard. Chilly wind and stormy weather barely phase her. While she stand on guard, the armored vehicle also sheltered 3 individuals of interest…
“Conrad was it?” One of the passenger ask, she is the Caprinae woman. She prompted conversation with a rather interesting partner, which is none other than the artificial intelligence called C.O.N – R.A.D.
[That’s indeed me, something the matter, lady…?] The A.I shows expression through the moving screen that can freely maneuver within the vehicle. It shows an expression of puzzlement with a blinking question mark.
“Kola Löwenstein.”
[Ah yes, which name do you prefer?]
“Either is fine, I’m not exactly bothered with how people addressed me, truth be told.”
[Very well then, if I may be so bold I shall call you Lady Kola… so what is it that you wish to discuss?]
“Wouldn’t it affect Lady Baroness’ health to be so exposed outside against the storm?”
[Ah, that would be of no concern. I admittedly had some misgivings in regards to her workaholic attitude… but I assure you all that she was quite the dis-] A certain Pythian that has been listening quietly interjected.
“Sometimes I just wanna rip and tear off something… cables or the like might be acceptable… Don’t worry though, it has nothing to do with any of you. Just saying what I had in mind out loud…” She spoke nonchalantly, her artificial companion interface shown a sweating expression with trembling hands.
[Of course, My Lady... you might much prefer to have a little distressing back at base…?] Nyx didn’t answer, thus letting the A.I know that it is in the clear to continue… Is it forgiven? Well…
[A-Ahem, as I was saying… there is no cause for concern for Lady Nyx’s health. I daresay she is even more well-built, aside from muscle standpoint, and resilient than the finest Kazimierzian Knightess or Minoan War Priestess.]
“… In my opinion, wouldn’t it be more prudent of her to save her strength? It would be a disastrous misfortune if she were to perform haphazardly due to common cold as an example.”
[Indeed, thusly… what say you my lady? Fret not, I have the drones monitored the surroundings, thus you may rest easy for a moment. Come now, you had worked hard enough as is…] The A.I gives a thumbs-up and smiling face towards Kola. Nyx still didn’t answer, until they hear a sigh from outside.
“Fine…” Nyx immediately settled herself back into the vehicle through the steel reinforced window. Her movements were smooth and despite being drenched from head-to-toe, not once did she made a mess with splashes of water or the ensuing rain that keeps on worsening.
The other passenger, an Elafian Young Lady called Viviana can finally appraise the Pythian more closely with no one gunning for her or worse. The Pythian is clad in a mix of tactical black and white uniform and equipment that resembled a mix of Victorian, Ursine, and Columbian. She also has her hair tied into a ponytail, there are numerous gadgets and weapon all around her body.
Nyx of course noticed that the Young Lady had been staring at her quite pointedly, yet she feign ignorance to not cause her of falling back into panic. The Elafian girl had been seeing all manners of real world’s problems during their escapade, thus it would be better to just focus on something else.
Thankfully, Conrad is the ever enigmatic room reader decides to starts off this impromptu little socializing.
[I must confess that you’re not exactly looking like a military personnel Lady Kola, if it’s not too much of a problem, what are your occupation? You may keep mum and that’s perfectly understandable.]
“Hmm… I’m a concert master in Leithanien. Something that I had found to be truly enjoyable aside from taking care my sweet lady.” She said with a caring while caressing Viviana whom squirmed in embarrassment, at least the Young Lady’s expression is closer to contentment and ease now.
Kola then explained the intricacies of how one can be selected to be a concert master in Leithanien society. The A.I is listening with rapt attention while no doubt recording it, textually or audio visually, for her insight on the matter. The Caprinae woman alluded the fact that a concert master are also quite proficient in arts, with the most accomplished of them can even move the entire hall into one wondrous symphony by their lonesome. With Arts and musical prowess, the destitute and forgotten can uplift themselves to glory never once thought possible.
Amusingly enough, that’s exactly how The Witch King came to power. Arts and Musical mastery is the key to climb the ladder of social mobility in Leithanien, the easy way or the hard way.
“There lies a chasm…” Nyx voiced out her own take on what Kola had described.
“That would be?”
“Say, if someone is so great with Arts manipulation and being musical genius… what are the odds that they will be embraced with open arms; regardless of, for example, atrocities that they had committed in the past?”
“…” Kola bit her lips. The question Nyx asked of her was a really complicated one… She decided to just be honest now, this sort of thing would be discovered by the Pythian later down the line. It will also cast a positive rapport of not trying to deceive her, who also has reputation of not exactly welcoming for being misled.
“Leithanien’s general populace will most likely be… turning a blind eye to it…”
“I knew it… Which is why I have myself a partially warm reception… If I can use Arts, people would most likely worship me, isn’t that true?”
“… debatable, but definitely plausible.”
“Shame, I can only sing… say, what do you think of me? Just be yourself, I won’t held you accountable with scathing remarks since you can never appease everyone. People had been slandering, and insulting me when I’m not looking… So I just wanna know which one are you…”
Despite her misgivings of potentially slighting the Ex-Mercenary, she drew a parallel with Nyx’s ability to wedge her voice to fit everywhere each time she deign to lend her expertise for it. Nyx was somewhat of an enigma in the Arts dominated sphere of music of this country, her inability to use Arts should have brought forth the usual scorn but her nigh otherworldly ingenuity in creating songs never before heard had earned her the begrudging respect of Leithanien as a whole. Not all is sunshine and rainbow however. Kola’s critical assessment brought attention from the mercenary and instead of being offended, she listened quietly, not once did she cut her off. Nyx is true to her words.
Nyx voice is strange in the fact that it is too perfect, and perfection is bad thing in creating the rhyme to differentiate between one singer and the other. It is not wrong to strive for the best possible iteration, but the fact that there is little personal touch in it made the song lifeless. The Pythian is listening raptly, she even seems to be committing what’s heard into her memory.
Then there is also the matter of how she seems to be concentrating too much on keeping the song going than embody the song in its entirety. Kola and her fellow concert master had even brought this anomaly for discussion, a good portion of them realized that Nyx focus is divided into several parts, of which neither can truly pin point how many parts were there, but the most glaring thing is how she appears to be constricting herself too much.
At this point Nyx had grown bored and restart her guns’ maintenance. She still listened to what they’re talking about, but with lesser focus to spare and putting more priority of ensuring her equipment is all well-maintained.
[My word, that’s a wonderful assessment! I must also punctuated that I always wanted to watch an authentic Leithanien orchestra, choir, and concert! …Sadly I encountered difficulty despite my lady giving me the means of reaching it out for myself. They have no room to spare for an Artificial Intelligent that aspire to be par on enjoying finer things in life… but alas I can only entertain myself with Lady Nyx’s recording… which is, as you had surmised, terrific in all manners of musical qualities. Thus confounding my eagerness to compare hers with others.]
Kola was nodding along… then she can’t believe what Conrad had said, Nyx had been giving it pocket money?
‘Just what is the Grey Serpent really?’ Her mind is racing to make sense of this disjointed piece of picture. Nyx ruthlessness had truly been very effective for her self-cultivated image advertisement… too effective in fact that her more mundane, or unusual, daily ordinaries went right below the radar, or straight into the gutter, and even then was heavily scrutinized with skepticism laced with understandable apprehension. Then again, Catastrophe Messenger’s development had at least shed a tiny hopeful light on her bloody bog of a respected but horrifyingly dreaded reputation.
Kola’s gaze turned towards their escort, Nyx is using a specialized equipment to dry her uniform without taking it off. She is currently seated on the comms chair while having her hands fiddling away with weapons and equipment. She laid a piece of assault rifle and a several modular attachment next to it.
The Caprinae woman cringed internally at how much this single set of equipment would cost to both supply and maintain, and The Grey Serpent has multiple of these Laterano’s weapon. She then decide to just not question it and prompt another conversation with the A.I.
“Quite fascinating and yet, no offense to you…” Kola bowed her head with an apologetic smile towards the curious looking interface.
[None taken, Lady Kola.] The interface screen shows a moving image of a smiley face just waving it away like it is no big deal.
“It is a surreal circumstance to provide an artificial intelligent with such mundane and redundant accommodation… Surely Mr. Conrad would be more than satisfied when using the much more effective source of self-application and expression, such as local network.”
[Hmm? Mr. Conrad, that’s new. Another entry for the database.] The A.I’s interface changed into that of a merrily jumping man, to then morph into one taking notes with the signature glasses on. Conrad moved its attention to the Pythian, equally curious with this matter.
[I also wish to know my lady, why do you care so much? In all honesty, your generosity is considered a travesty for all sorts of redundancy. I’m eternally grateful for your accommodation, but logically speaking it’s truly illogical and unnecessary.]
“Really? That’s what you both are more interested with? You could have asked for something more… hah, whatever…” Nyx’s face, albeit only the tiniest bit of slightly, contorted into disbelief, seemingly screaming that it’s theirs that was weird. Regardless, she heaved a sigh before answering.
“… It is just how I operate, need to ensure and explore possibilities. Regardless on how much I just wanted to dump Conrad into a pool the-”
[YOU WHAT!?] The interface shifted into a face of pure horror. It elicited a giggle from Viviana, she found the A.I to be truly interesting despite its monotonous tone. Its ability to speak with such politeness added another layer of happy little spices on this casual discourse between them.
“Oh shu- be quiet, I’m not finished. You re- You insufferably obnoxious A.I.” The Pythian lady hissed at her A.I. companion. Then the fact that Nyx is grappling with her own cursing habit also happens to be another form of entertainment for the passengers onboard.
“… Once again, it is how I operate. I mean… what measured as actually living or not? Does it really matter where or from what you’re born? To me, there is no reason to put someone down without a clear reason, you will only end up bitter and angry while expending needless energy. By the end of the day, we will all face death with its numerous flavors… Death of personality, death of passion, death of drive, and so on so forth… But death is a good thing…”
“Why is death a good thing?” Viviana finally spoke with her own initiative. Nyx is pleasantly surprised of her initiative, the Elafian seems to have some backbone already embedded and only needed room for grow.
“Are you ready for it, or are you still scared?” It appears rumors about there being something terribly wrong with her head is true after all… Nyx sports a thin, but blooming, amused grin, although outside parties would argue it looked more like a barely held back predatory smirk.
Naturally the Young Viviana is conflicted. On one side she is always eager to understand the implicit meaning in words, just like her poem recital, a chasm it may be, yet usable all the same. On the other hand, her mind is still unconsciously gripped by fear, especially after all the incidents that had contributed on this predicament of hers. She look towards Kola for guidance, but she found her only looking at her encouragingly, it is hers to decide after all… and she surmised that she’s yet to be ready.
“… I’m scared…” She said nothing else. Kola was both shocked but also overjoyed. She was sure that the Young Lady would still be in her slump thus choosing the hard but also surefire way to grow, but the fact that she shows understanding on herself, to love herself first and foremost, is a massive pivotal improvement.
“Understandable… so listen to my little rambling.” She relaxed on the chair after swiveling it around to face the young Elafia, her hand is holding the now well-maintained assault rifle. Being brave is something worth celebrating of course, but being patient? That’s a lot more important in how one shall grow. Of course circumstances exist, but that’s beside the point.
“Life that we have is actually meaningless in the grand scheme of things, a really negative look on how we’re always encouraged to see the next day, and yes I’m aware. Hear me out first; I said it without a shred of an intention to dismiss or even ridicule that drive, no. I only states the fact; death comes, and nothing you can do about it. Are you still following?”
“Yes…”
“Then, ‘If this life of mine overturned by a single death, why bother?’ you might ask, but I’ll fire back. Why are you attaching a last ditch argument to an inevitable eventuality and wasting personal drive on a predictable answer? Is it really worth it to keep staring at an intangible surety? I say no. It would be better to look into what already presented itself to you.” She put her assault rifle back inside its weapon case.
“Past, present, or future is not the point, that’s just the side benefit of what foundation you had made yourself. You wanted to read poem for the rest of your life? Sure go out there and travel the land, catalogue everything too, that’s one answer.” Nyx suddenly scoff, but not from annoyance.
“… I sound like certain someone just now…”
“Who?” Said a certain Elafia.
“No one important, but where was I…? Ah yes.” The Pythian looked through the window briefly, staring upon a far off place… She then continue.
“Another examples… you wanted for orphan to have somewhere to call a home? Sure thing bud, starts doing and finding ways to make it happen such as opening up a business chain or cooperation for funding. You wanted to be a beacon of hope? Then go out there and start kicking those sons of bit- devise your own way to be one. Point is, you’re the only one responsible to understand your own worth.” She said nothing else, pulling a nearby pillow to then placing it behind her neck, and goes for a nap on her chair.
“…” Viviana fell silent into contemplation, the others also followed suit. Was the Ex-Mercenary’ rambling an arrogance built upon foundation of hypocrisy or keen understanding in regards to human nature? No one there, safe perhaps for Conrad, has a definite answer to what Nyx actually thinking…
They sat quietly before once more engaging in more productive but less serious conversation. Conrad shared some tales of Nyx’s exploit as courier and what she usually does when not doing anything, barring detailed missions and private matters of course. Viviana, having calmed down more or less, chimed in with her interest writing poetry or books. She also added her dream of becoming a knight and uphold chivalry. Kola, and even Brant that has been focusing on the road, added their own parts from time to time.
Aside from the update in regards with the rainy weather, thus prompting Conrad to rotate drones more frequently with lesser numbers, another hour passed by without anything worth noticing before Conrad brought an alarming development.
[Multiple unidentified vehicles are approaching from southeast. Sentry drone 5 had just recently detected incursion from the sky, a single medium to large size, and unidentified, aerialcraft had breached the perimeter from northwest, and thus we’re being pincered. ETA for ground targets; 50 minutes. ETA for aerial targets; 10 minutes. Due to our current load and terrain, the vehicle is unable to go faster than 50 Kph (31 Mph) at the moment notice. Moving on, 9 out of 12 drones are rendered combat ineffective due to wear and tear plus lengthy field maintenance courtesy of stormy weather.]
“Jeez, couldn’t they wait a little while longer? Welp, time to go back to work… before that though…” Nyx, still visibly displeased for the rude awakening, looked towards the Elafian. Her gaze softened and she pointed towards a shelf on the upper left next to the door.
“In case either of you did something brave or stupid, that right there is where the Arts suppressants are at.” The Pythian said nothing more and slide her way outside once more, the rain still pouring and perhaps even worse than before.
“Good god, what is with this weather?” Despite complaining to no one in particular regarding the weather, she stand up confidently with the bow in her hand. The bumping, swaying, and rocking of the vehicle didn’t even cause her to footing to be compromised in the slightest, The Grey Serpent stood like a solid pillar made of steel. Her gaze pierced through the darkened cloud, ready to intercept anyone who dared standing in her way.
Unlike Hovercraft or Helicopter that can pack a serious amount of firepower and cargo, Rotorcraft size never exceeded that of a truck and their speed rarely reached 160 Kph (100 Mph). The incoming craft’s origin is dubious, but given the fact that Leithanien putting lesser importance on technology, one might wonder who they are…
Then Nyx’s earpiece received the latest update from Conrad.
[My Lady, I can try make a pass against the incoming aerial threats that would potentially sacrifice a drone. The weather had also deterred them from going in full speed… your decision?]
“Strip its gun then make it count, oh and don’t forget to seal the window and suppress the sound transmitter inside.” She pulled out a large metallic arrow, more like a shortened spear if anything, from the quiver that has been laid on the vehicle’s roof below her. She pulled the string taut, her hands steadied, and her gaze undeterred by the pouring rain, thus the bow was raised towards the heaven poised to strike down…
[Acknowledged, window sealed and sound suppressed with synthetic and fake iteration. Next, dispatching recently maintained drone 8 to conduct a fly by, drone shall not immediately engage in hostility. Kamikaze option?]
‘Fly by… heh, when was the last time I heard that again…?’ Nyx is deeply amused. It has been years since she can actually hear that word again. The world of Terra has a truly wacky technological advancement. Then she recalled that Conrad had yet to receive its further directive.
“Nah, because what’s another 10,000 LMDs really? But in hindsight, guess we must pack cheaper drones huh? Oh well… my fault really, and so much for being cautious…”
Moving onto the incoming hovercraft.
“Hmm?” A Feline woman said while checking on the hovercraft’s software and secondary weapon systems such as rockets and smokes. She is wearing what appears to be a standardized uniform for a paramilitary, she is armed with repeating crossbow just on her left side of the cockpit. The Co-Pilot just spotted a blip in the radar.
“What’s wrong?” A Liberi man, clad in the same paramilitary equipment and armed with originium pistol, he is currently piloting the craft through the raining sky. A perfect time for clandestine ops, while also an annoying, restrictive and dangerous one to boot.
“Seen a blip on the radar. Just wondering if it’s happening again, like damn, we got chewed up for mixing up blip with tracking signal…”
“Regardless, that’s just how she works ya know. Kinda ass but she meant well…”
“No other way huh?”
“Unless you wanna get discharged, then let the captain know it.”
“Ya sure? Gonna be real here man, this storm is ass and being sent here amidst the storm is beyond idiotic.”
“Positive, so get to it while I make sure that we won’t kiss the ground.” His co-pilot seems to still be staring hard at the radar’ interface, he sighed before waking her up from self-inflicted stupor.
“What are you waiting for? Contact lady grumpy-pants, don’t wanna get chewed up for dereliction of duty or some shit…”
“Rog’ wait one…” She then contacted her CO for the current task directive.
“Hunter 1-1, this is Condor, radar detected a small blip, advice? Over.” She doesn’t have to wait long until a woman voice of her CO was transmitted. She sounds genuinely surprised but also also miffed.
[This is Hunter 1-1, if that’s positive, most likely a civilian grade drone from the looks of it. IFF is not responding on my end, so it shouldn’t be our asset either. Break. … I don’t want to risk it, these Rusthammer crowing on and on with not wanting technology yet somehow drones or jetpacks doesn’t count as technology for some of them… shoot it down. How copy? Over.] She received his order.
“Condor here, affirmative on last. Over and out.”
“Ya hear that?” The co-pilot checked back on her pilot.
“Yep, I’ll line Little Maggie up, and let me handle this one. Can’t waste explosive on a measly drone.” The hovercraft aligned itself, originium cannon pointed forward and all the pilot need is to squeeze the trigger. The incoming silhouette of a drone is now visible, and despite with its gun had been removed, was still deemed as hostile and thus shot down.
Back to Nyx
“… And here I tried to be diplomatic.” Was Nyx’ answer when Conrad reported that the drone was shot down immediately, precisely when it entered the rotorcraft’s originium gun optimal firing range. The Pythian mercenary is genuinely angry, it is somewhat unreasonable given the circumstances yes, but shooting down a clearly unarmed drone like that just confirm that they are hostile.
[A minor setback and you can claim an eligible self-defense initiative, and I managed to identify the craft as a medium sized hovercraft. They’re clearly a part of a group with less than savory intent, thus you’re still adhering on Contingency Contract, Article 17 in regards to hostile entity and Article 6 in regards with self-defense and maintaining personal safety.]
“In that case, I can just wipe them of-”
[However, Catastrophe Messenger primary code of conduct, specifically Article 2, in regards with pacifying potential conflict without bloodshed is always paramount. The method is flexible and the personnel on the ground must do what they can to discourage hostilities.]
“You really memorized everything. Well, your programming does include adherence with protocol unless otherwise is stated… warning shot it is. The last thing I wanted is to shot down a government asset with weak justification… prepare a separate recording because we’ll fight dirt with dirt.” She put the arrow on her hand back into the quiver below.
She then pulled a different arrow with a much more sophisticated mechanism and visual. For one, the arrow is pulsating with a mix of bluish hue and yellow mechanical glow. Nyx can’t help in suppressing and containing her grin, she has almost little to no chance of using this particular Black Market of Ibut region masterpiece due to the lack of actual target it was intended to shoot down.
“This should do it… and I’m starting to like The Sand Soldier a lot. The brat might still be wet behind the ears of how to properly make use of cruelty, but his brain is something else…”
[… That arrow cost you 4 million LMDs to manufacture… wouldn’t it be more cost efficient to use mass-produced, industrial pattern, arrow for a mere warning shot?] Conrad is exasperated with his’ mistress shenanigans. On one hand she is charitable, on the other? She is also ‘charitable’ enough to not be stingy when the mood struck her.
“It was paid with bonafide gold bars and crystalline, if anything I won out on the bargaining table.”
[Which you’re in luck since Sargon has an unhealthy penchant for gold bars of the highest purity. Regarding the crystalline, you’re violating the 31st CM article of illegal mining and procurement of minerals.]
“That might be so, but we know that mere arrow won’t penetrate a hovercraft windshield that high up in the air no? Wouldn’t it be better to make a point?”
[There you go again, disregarding my reproach and it appears you misunderstood the point, meaning, and understanding of what is a “Warning Shot” in the first place… Regardless, they shall enter your range in 20 seconds…]
A moment later.
“Hunter 1-1, we spotted the target, get ready to repel and captu- wait, hold on… There is only a single van ther-” Her monologue was cut-off, reason? A huge fucking arrow just stopped short 10 away centimeters from her chin, the hovercraft was terribly shaken off by a tremendous force. It was naturally inconceivable that an arrowhead managed to overpower a military grade light plating, ballistic screen, and some part of the windshield in a single go.
Condor’s hovercraft starts to goes out of control, but the combination of the pilot’s skills and a shit ton of luck managed to allow him of re-stabilizing the craft. The primary system appears to be damaged, further compounding the fact that the arrow might have something in it that scrambled communication system.
Not long after, Hunter 1-1, a Zalak woman, barged into the cockpit. Her expression is alarmed seeing a huge arrow centimeters away from ending the co-pilot’s life. She immediately snap her out of it.
“What the hell happened!? And pilot, starts evasive maneuver and try to get out of range for now!”
“Roger that!” The Pilot said, barely avoiding another arrow. The arrow grazed the hovercraft’s body, eliciting metallic scream and creaking at how deadly the power that propelled it was. The sound had also inflicted a light – medium, and even heavy, degree of tinnitus towards the rest of the paramilitary personnel within the transport compartment, with the Felines and Perros suffering the worst of it.
“Give me Sit-rep!”
“We’re being engaged by an unknown at the moment notice! Most likely from something atop that single van! We were just about to hover and prepare you guys for repelling down…”
“What do you mean a single van!?”
“I swear that was the last camera transmission before it gone down!”
“Alright whatever, just give me damage report…” The Zalak woman pressed a single palm on her temple, she can’t believe this happened now of all times.
“Systems are damaged after impact, we can only fix it back at base due to the extent of projected damage. Comms are down, luckily the originium autocannon seems to be working. The primary camera got fried, but the second one were not activated, so I can try to bring it up.”
With uncertain factor suddenly showing up on their mission, the craft distanced itself without receiving further anti-air projectile. The weather is making it difficult to make a direct observation.
“Camera’s up!”
“Patch it through the screen!”
The camera take some more time to stabilize and connect itself with the primary interface. The co-pilot starts to zoom in on the suspected convoy while Condor maintained a parallel flight pattern with it… all of them are horrified seeing a woman with a giant bow standing up, arrow nocked and aimed, right at the camera.
“… The Grey Serpent…” Hunter 1-1 said with terror lacing each syllables of her words. What should have been an easy cash and grab mission turned into total nightmare. Her fame is known far and wide, having the privilege of receiving a firsthand demonstration of her prowess is not something worth rejoicing if you are the target.
“Get clearer image…”
“Affirm.”
They zoomed in and sees that she do nothing else, but the fact that she kept her bow strung tautly and steady shows that she is willing to let it slide but only if they are refraining from being stupid. On one hand, they have a mission to complete on the other… they’re all face-to-face with death glaring at them right on their faces. One wrong move, and this craft will crash into the dirt, killing her and the other team members onboard.
“…She is staring right at us… what do we do, capt’n?”
“… Abort the mission, this hovercraft worth more than people who gave us a miss of an intel. Asking for rusthammer location, instead almost get killed by the goddamn sadistic Pythian merc…” The Zalak woman decided that they can’t risk losing the hovercraft; this thing was never cheap to procure and maintain. There is also the matter of why they received faulty intel of the highest level of possible insanity, she would definitely give the intelligence a piece of her mind…
“… Affirmative, we’re leaving the AO.”
“Just my damn luck…” She sighed dejectedly and left cockpit section of the craft. Once she arrived back on the transport compartment, she can see that all of her team members heaving sigh of relief. They were listening upon the conversation between the captain and pilots, and the camera feed made things easier on them to comprehend the reality of which they just draw the short straw in luck but was wisely mitigated.
Back to Nyx
“I’ll be damned, they actually have a functioning brain.” She undo her stance and let the string off from her taut and tight draw. She doesn’t dally anymore and turned her eyes towards another upcoming force, her grin grew wider before Conrad’s voice entered her ear.
[That was a bit much for “Warning Shot” My Lady…] Nyx can’t see it, but Conrad’s interface had turned into an exasperated face. The passengers inside the van had also spectated what she had done through the camera recording, without voice of included of course, they too are bewildered because her warning shot can actually damage and potentially kill her opponent with such nonchalance.
“Conrad, how long until our, alleged, pursuers arrives?” Yet the Grey Serpent just breeze past it and inquired a much more important situation.
[…It would be approximately 38 minutes my lady.]
“Then please take over the rocket launcher for me and prepare on my signal.”
[Opening up the weapon mount, setting in the launcher, attaching in the rocket… one freshly maintained rocket launcher is at your disposal.] A rocket launcher on a mount rose up from within the vehicle. Nyx leaned in and prepare for the upcoming pursuers…
[Round two it is…] Her drenched figure amidst the rain shows her confidence that is borderline arrogance. Thus she wait…
POV:???
“Useless mud blood!” I can’t contain my anger anymore, I was sure that those mud blood would at least slow them down. Thus seeing them flee without a fight like that just reinforced the factual truth that they’re just peasants by the end of day.
“U-Um…. Grafin Herkaienen… we must turn off the Whisperer… else it woul-” I silenced an insolent sorry excuse of His Majesty’s finest, it doesn’t even deserve to be of Leithanien's blood. My blessed hand decreed that I burn this thing down to ashes, the others around me cowered in fear as they should be.
“Anyone else wish to speak out of turn!?”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“Then listen to my word and catch those reprobates! Remember! No one should touch that worm, I’ll deal with that thing personally, am I clear!?”
“Yes my lady!”
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author’s Note:
Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who will soon have his thesis tested.
Who were onboard those hovercraft? I don’t know, you tell me. :)
The Hovercraft that I invented for this fanfic is a mix of S-72 RSRA and AW109S Grand. The difference being the S-72 wings are modeled like V-22 osprey and its body has been enlarged to accommodate more cargo. Being a V-TOL with originium engine meant it has better hover performance but shittier speed. The Agusta Westland part is for better interior and modularity.
Quite cursed, but moving on…
How come Nyx outranged Terran’s autocannon? Simple, except for rocket, artillery, and indirect fire weapons, all guns in terra have shit range and velocity compared to our world. At the moment I had yet to see rocket, but I’m quite convinced HG will wedge it in soon enough.
Yes rotorcraft exist. From what I can interpret from the lore, it usually goes about less than 200 kph (120 +/– Mph). I forgot which one it was whom had explained that, was either Redd or Guard, stated that Ursus employed rotorcraft the size of a bike for recon.
Update as… not so sure actually? Eh…
Ciao.
