The setting sun was our signal for starting. Just as it disappeared below the horizon. Cypher and the others moved in. There was still some light behind us. I was in a different hide than yesterday. The infiltration squad was moving into position. They were at an oblique angle to the light. I took out an overdressed patrolman, and the hunt was on.
Cypher went around getting 'snacks,' the elves gave him a wide berth. The splash zone was quite large and gruesome.
They moved in pairs and trios. A total of 25 possible recruits. I was providing over watch for all of them. I had made my range card while the sun was still up. I knew my maximum range. But it won't come to that. At a distance of 2400 metres it takes 3 seconds for the round to reach the target area. A hit is not guaranteed. Also due to last night. The patrols and guards are out in full force further complicating our mission.
The tents of the commanders were still up, but with a higher number of guards around them. Honestly I would have preferred to wait until 02:00 to begin. That's usually the time when the guards relax a bit. Take a break and lower their guard. The death hours of 03:00-04:00 would see these men ignore their positions and try and get some shut eye. It's easier to get in and out without using any ammo. We pulled something similar in the first Gulf war. Good times.
The plan was to find the positions of important personnel. The fasted way to do this was to hit up the support tents. Food, work orders, requisitions. These were a treasure trove of vital information. Even an idiot given enough time could figure out current strength and possible reinforcements. The messengers most likely are spread out among the camp. The correspondence to the rear is more than likely in the commanding officers possession. No matter, we can deduce enemy movement from the quartermaster's register.
The fires in the centre of the camp were lit for cooking. More fires and torches were being lit as the night got darker. The perimeter was also lit. With large groups of soldiers guarding the areas. The areas lit by fires and braziers had more guards than the ones lit by torches. Now it's just a matter of calling their bluff. Do we go for the heavily guarded areas or the lightly guarded ones?
With the recent creation of the unit, I went with the lightly secured area. I do not want casualties for the first run. I mentally asked Cypher to attack the area farthest from me. He's a big boy, he can handle himself. The elves thankfully understood the message. They started taking out the guards and sentries in less secured areas and looked for intel.
In the meantime, I was taking out any people moving towards my new platoon. cold weapons make a lot of noise, so I was quite busy. Cypher being helpful, started another fire. This expedited our plans. The moment the fire is put out the entire place is going to be swarming with soldiers. It already was, but they were more concerned with putting out the fire and finding the culprit.
I asked Cypher to come back and hold position between the camp and myself. He will act as the rear guard. I took the M240 out and set it up. I am using a variable zoom sight on it. I don't need accuracy, I just want to avoid hitting my platoon. I'll use it to cover our retreat should the need arise. No tracer rounds and a flash suppressor. My job it to prevent that from happening. I started marking targets with what I would assume to be non-standard kit. A bloke coming out of his hooch wearing just undergarments and basic armour is not important. The bloke coming out a bit more dressed and after other soldiers, he's important or thinks he's important, God will be the judge of that, I just arrange the meeting.
It was 10 minutes later that the squad was retreating towards the pre-designated exfil point. This means there were no complications to the mission parameters. A few more shots at important looking people and I also left. I met up with the rest of the squad deep into the surrounding woods. They were told to simply make their way back immediately. I did that to ensure they wouldn't drop their guard whilst waiting for me. Our meeting was brief, we continued on before any enemy scouts could intercept us.
We got back to the fort and did the debriefing. The few injured ones were sent immediately to their healers, I will debrief them in the infirmary. Contrary to popular belief, dark elves do not kill all infirm and injured people. They value to lives of their brethren. The short time they have had to settle and grow in their new home has come with a deep rooted sense of duty and comradery. Of course I'm not saying they're saints but their cruelty is directed towards their enemies, of which there are many.
*****04:20*****
Debriefing complete, I went to the gardens to sleep. Cypher is very clingy, and refuses to sleep alone. I need to be in his line of sight. It has nothing to do with me finding his fur cuddly, fluffy and warm. I threw up a tent to keep the sun off and went to sleep.
*****13:48*****
I awoke and took care of my ablutions. I met up with Asfi and the fourth princess. They were conducting counter-intelligence operations. I asked if they had found anything. They had. The build up of troops on the Western forts was increasing. The Aglarians couldn't besiege the forts properly. The forests were the home ground for the elves. They would get decimated the moment they stepped foot into one. Trying to burn the forest down saw such brutal retaliation that the plan was expunged from records, never to be spoken of or implemented again.
I went to the kitchens to see if they had leftovers or something to eat. The cooks were accommodating of my request. Cypher also wanted food. I told him he can hunt again tonight. Word got around and a half dead man was brought up from the dungeons. I told Cypher to eat outside, watching him eat gives me indigestion. Why can't he be small? He's so cute and adorable. Spoiling him would be so much easier.
I loved pets, I had 3 dogs previously. I can get dogs here as well but they would be injured too quickly in the dungeon. I have no way to protect them if something unexpected happens. There is an unspoken rule in the dungeon, don't bring normal pets into it. It attracts monsters like flies to honey, and they end up dead trying to protect their owners. It's fine on the surface. But I don't think I can leave my dogs alone for weeks at a time. Hence monster taming. It's a bit more complicated but worth the added benefit of a fighting partner if done correctly.
I don't know about other people but if someone so much as looks at my dog the wrong way, I immediately prepare to kill them. Dogs are awesome. We don't deserve them, the angels that they are.
I ate and went for a walk around the fortress. Started inspecting the defences, and possible attack points. I met Asfi along the way. We talked briefly about the situation, and decided after taking care of the adventurers here we would head to the other forts and take care of business there.
I went to go look for Cypher, hopefully he hasn't been snacking on someone important. I asked around and found him in the garden napping. He's an overgrown kitten. Eat play and sleep. That's all he knows. For now. I can feel him growing and learning through our mental connection. It's a wonderful feeling when you understand what your pet is thinking.
I'm planning on getting a few hellhounds to assist Cypher. Cypher has an innate ability to use lightning and thunder. The hellhounds can complement that with their pack tactics. It'll be easy taking care of lower floors. Well up until the water levels. Now all I have to do is work with Cypher and convince him that it's a good idea to clear the dungeon, not me just wanting more pets.
*****a few days later*****
We were requested to clear out the enemy adventurers. Night attacks had them on edge the entire time. So they were pretty haggard and on edge. Supplies wouldn't reach them, so they only had enough rations for another week at most. Key word had, I burned down half the camp last night using runic spells.
The soldiers were sleeping in the open, well as much as they could. The elves were raining spells and arrows at them throughout the night.
We acquiesced to their request. The elves were strained for supplies as well. The other cities will send supplies but they wouldn't be here for another week or so.
Thus began the most annoying infiltration of the war. Getting armour like the enemy camp was not hard. There was enough in the storage of fallen and captured soldiers that we could equip ourselves. By we, I mean me. I 'volunteered' for the job. Asfi and the princess had a discussion about the different options and plans that could be implemented. The fastest and easiest one was to send 'someone' into the enemy camp and have them find and kill the enemy adventurers/mercenaries.
*****03:00*****
'This is bullshit.'
I was on the supply route for the invaders. In busted up armour and a captured horse. I was sleepy, pissed of and my ass was sore.
'Good thing I didn't put a saddle on Cypher. I'm making a proper hover board with runes and shit when I get back.'
My job was to be a dispatched messenger and deliver a message for delayed supplies and reinforcements. Asfi and the amazons were doing a wonderful job with counter-intelligence. The elves would act as lookouts and scouts. Asfi and the new additions would handle business. Nothing was coming through to the Aglarians. And nothing was going back to their high command either. The gap in communication was so glaring that I could've had them pull another Charge of the Light Brigade. Lead them into well established defensive positions, and let them have it. The number of deserters was increasing every night. We would let the ones leaving leave. No one will believe them. Not before they're executed for treason. As I was making my way to my new camp. I used that time to mine the road and fields. Once the adventurers are gone the rest will retreat. Well they'll retreat anyway, as the forged documents I'm carrying say so. A misrepresentation of the facts on the other fronts. Now all I have to do is get rid of a few hundred thousand unhappy campers.
I arrived at the camp at dawn. I was told to stop and dismount by the guard. Both me and the horse were subjected to a search. The message on my person was found. It was returned to me upon my explanation of my duties and the seal of nobility on it.
I was guided to the highest ranking officer remaining. He was the equivalent of a Major. He was in over his head. The useless shit was a minor noble and got the position due to nepotism. He would look good in court but be safe in the rear echelons as his mother wanted. He'll soon be safe in Death's embrace.
I went to get a meal. The supplies were so short it wasn't even funny anymore. I felt sorry for the common soldiers. I'd probably have to kill quite a few of them to end this. At least I get their souls out of it.
I asked one of the older men, a sergeant, on the low down of the camp and positions. He said that he wasn't sure about the prospects of the invasion. He also pointed out locations and important things around the camp. Like the kitchens, command tents, his tent, the tents for the adventurers, armoury.
'He gets to live, if he's lucky.'
I thanked him and went of to rest in a visitors tent. It was a secluded from the rest of the camp as per common sense and regulations. I fell asleep after casting a bunch of wards inside the tent.
By tomorrow the Southern invasion will have failed.