"We have the Valkinvar occupied, commence with your assault, Lead of the Charge." the Captain-Engineer ordered across our communications.
"Of course, cut transmission." I acknowledge before I order the pilot to put us in the dark. We knew what we had to do and this would ensure we stayed out of sight. It was hard to not notice the Thunderous Brawler, but we did not need any wayward minds following us.
"Inter-ship transmission established." one of the crew told me as I walked out of the cockpit.
"All heavy lancers, rear your ryphurgok into position. We make landfall soon!" I snap to all the other landing craft before I head over to my mighty beast. A scarred veteran like me. One that showed no fear even before a line of pikes and bayonets! Her roar out-deafened their guns and there was no finer partner I could ask for.
"Your ryphurgok is ready, Lead of the Charge." one of my squires told me as they brought forth a step for me to use.
"Make sure everyone else is ready, I can handle myself." I stubbornly told the squire as I snatched up my lance and rested it on the neck-bound hook. And while they scrambled about in cramped conditions to make sure everyone was outfitted. I put on my helmet and made sure it was secured. A low growl left me and I eagerly held onto the handle of my lance, just waiting for the moment to pick it up.
"Landing imminent!" the pilot called back to us as the landing craft suddenly began to swerve and bounce about.
"Easy, Girl." I tell my ryphurgok as she became hypnotised by the forceful shaking. Then, the moment the doors opened, I drove her out onto the man-made mountain. Aware of how eager she was to submit to her base impulses. It amused me still after all these years.
And as she did that, I turned back to watch as the rest of my troops disembarked. Some came out as quickly as I did, their beasts doing much the same. The more timid ones slowly trekked out and a few even came out on foot. Seemingly choosing to mount up outside.
"HEADS HIGH! LANCES FORWARD!" I called out to my men as I urged my mount forward. Bringing her to the top of the enemy's barricade before I brought her up onto her rear legs. And I let her howl to her heart's content so that the fear of our presence would fill them. Then, once my men gathered up alongside me to the backdrop of the orbital-halo...
I lowered my lance...
"FORWARD!" I roared before I threw my weight down on my mount. Forcing her to charge down the steep slope whilst I kept my lance tip held high. The men around me relied on their magic-filled ryphurgokshoes to keep themselves on the sharp slope. But my dear beast was better than that, and I quickly sprang ahead without them.
I was then the first off the slope as patchwork cannon fire began to assail us. With a mighty crash my ryphurgok slammed into the ground. But with the springiness of small game, she leapt back up with a triumphant roar. And we headed the charge as all the others began to follow suit.
Bang after bang came from behind and in front of us. They stormed at us with shot and shell, but it was not enough. Their skills were not enough and we kept on charging. Even as legs were blown out under us and comrades were sent spiralling out of control.
We kept our line and our lances levelled. We brought our power out and let it spiral across the lengths of our weapons. To the greatest sound ever, we charged. That of wind magic and the roars of the legendary beast that gifted it to us!
Their defences grew closer and closer with each violent vibration that shivered through me. We all felt it, the power of our beasts as their rock-crushing limbs smashed at the dirt. The thick, heavy armour they all wore jangled as if it were nothing. Our knuckles were turned white by the strength of our grip.
A rodeo as much as it was a charge. But, the time had come and we were plunged into the battery smoke. Right through their lines, we broke. Cowards and the brave reeled from our charge.
Vicious bangs went off right in our faces as those dreaded pikes of theirs called for our lives. But Mighty Jhrarda would not console our loved ones this day. He would drag their screaming souls to the damnation they had so justly earned. I may have not seen it clearly, but the screams and brief red mist along my lance proved my thoughts true.
Then, upon spotting an opening, I guided my ryphurgok as well as I could to it. Urging my lance forward to tear apart what I could not avoid. Splinters and nails then assailed me as I broke past the hijacked fortifications of our fellow soldiers. But, rather than carry on my charge, I forced mt ryphurgok to stop!
I reared her up and slammed her back down towards their backs. The confusion and battle ahead of them blinded them to me. But to save the lives of my men, I had my beast roar as loudly as she could as I went at them. And right from behind I tore through their lines.
Scything the battlements clear of those I could alongside the support pillars. And as I left, the wooden wall collapsed under its own weight. A process helped by the encouragement of my fellows who leapt out of the debris moments later.
"BRING SOME MEN AROUND AND RUN THOSE LOT DOWN! THE REST OF YOU! FORM A LINE WITH ME!" I called out to the men after slapping a few to the still-standing half of the wall. And with a thudding, anxious heart, I stared up at the distant fortress. A wall of guns and men awaited us and our duty was to head towards it. Bravery, gallantry and honour was needed here.
And I had full confidence that all here could bring it with them. Even those I had asked to come on foot before we had even landed. They of all people needed it. To keep up with our charge while bringing forth the siege equipment...
"A stern heart to you all, brave runners!" I told them whilst thrusting my lance skyward.
"FORWARD!" the men all then roared in unison as we began to slowly build up to our top speed. Thunder filled the plains but the sky did not rumble. Our charge was what matched the wrath of the sky!