A Far Way Memory
The hall of Theless was on fire; the Vilintarish plaza, the tower of Kelevera, even the grand bazaar of Nymora, had become a shattered ruin. Only the processional walkway leading to the inner palace districts was left standing, and that wouldn't last very long. The once great Redever city of Sariana was broken, and now in its final death throes.
Konrad walked through what was once the library of Jynova, where thousands of Redevers had taken their last stand. This once marvelous city, this single outpost of human and redever cooperation, was dying all around him. It wouldn't take long, another day…two at most, for it to finally die.
He looked up to see a great marble statue of Lorelei the Giant-slayer beginning to tip over, the beautiful woman's body already missing an arm and her tail. It was terrible, witnessing the end of this dream, and he would never forgive himself for not being able to stop it.
If only I had gotten here sooner…if only I was strong enough to do something.
Just as there is a bitter release of tension that comes with accepting ones defeat, there also comes a cruel pleasure in overpowering ones enemy. The wolfkin soldiers nearby were enjoying such pleasures; overcome with excitement from their victory, the warriors were already devouring the bodies of their fallen victims. There were plenty to go around, Redever warriors littered the grounds around the library.
The cities protective wards were failing, the cruel winds from beyond its walls were starting to ravage the city outskirts, and soon would annihilate everything else. The invading hordes had grown fat off the ecstasy of death, and were now barely registering the chaos about to consume them.
As Konrad stepped through the last library of the lost city, he paused, listening to the band of army soldiers approaching his position. He hesitated, taking a moment to collect himself, before drawing his sword.
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The Narcis was a vehicle designed to suit three combat purposes, and could perform each simultaneously during the same engagement, or be configured for optimal performance for one if needed.
The first was to act as a transport, capable of carrying a single platoon (although leaving little room for additional gear) or a single squad of specialized soldiers outfitted with tac-suits.
The second was to act as a recon tank, able to withstand heavy punishment, and operate deep behind enemy lines without consistent need for repairs. Recon units often named their Narcis vehicles, personalizing them as if they were a home away from home.
Its third combat role was to act as tank support, being equipped with several mounted weapons, and accurate targeting systems, in order to support the advance of larger vehicles. The Narcis was faster, more maneuverable, than the larger Saphrax, or the noble Glaukos, giving it a unique battlefield advantage. On the front line, it would help cover larger vehicles without the constant need for troop support. This proved vital when fighting in the wasteland, where heavy tanks often needed smaller, more maneuverable, vehicles covering its flanks, or sending vital combat data back from advanced positions.
This Narcis, referred to as Old Jessie by its driver, had been converted for civilian expeditionary use. Its weapons had been replaced, and space had been carved out for long range radio stations, medical supplies, food stuffs, and field survey equipment.
Theo sneezed quite often when first entering the tanks rather large main chamber. The inside smelled of oil, stale sweat, and cold metal. It almost smelled like a gun range, and a gym locker room, put together in one confined space.
The main chamber was more than spacious enough to walk around in, with seating installed along either wall. Cables ran through the ceiling, and coiled along the floor. The green paint on all the metal was chipped with age, and the fluorescent lighting had grown dim.
A small hatch at the head of the chamber lead to a linear corridor that ran straight to the drivers compartment. Only two smaller rooms sat on either side of this passage, a waste room, and a larger storage area that was being used as a comms station.
When their Narcis exited through Voxsturm's northern gate it found an endless expanse of red sands, and glass dust. They took the north road, or at least what little was left of it, until reaching the Vilanthros mountains, then they turned eastward towards their first destination.
They were moving fast, determined to get ahead of a small supercell building behind them, and eager to reach the first checkpoint of their expedition with time to spare. They only had three days, and needed to get to the old Redever trench lines by nightfall if they were going to make their timetable.
Much of their first day was spent inside the tank, the group spending their free time napping, checking equipment, or trying to find ways to entertain themselves. Theo was actually feeling rather sad, he hoped to experience the wasteland outside of this sweaty enclosure.
Within the first few hours, Lorelei discovered there was such a thing as motion sickness. Evidently, she hadn't spent a lot of time in tanks before, or riding in vehicles in general for that matter, and the rough ride was playing havoc with her stomach. To help, Monica gave her something for nausea, and the medicine quickly put her to sleep.
Seeking to take advantage of the situation, Marci was quick to place the passed out girl practically on Theo's lap. The Redever was quick to curl up alongside him, her tail wrapped tightly around his leg, while her breasts squeezed his arm. He could feel her tiny breaths against his shoulder as her chin rested so close to his skin. Without her armor, her feminine beauty was intoxicating, watching her eyes flutter made his heart surge into overdrive.
Most of them had removed their armor, and unzipped their jumpsuits, meaning most of the female compatriots were very exposed in their bra's and undergarments. Only Lorelei, with her skin tight form fitting suit, couldn't expose herself for there was no zipper to pull.
For some it was humiliating, Lucy and Cassie seemed to be glaring at anyone who gave them any attention, while Marci and Monica didn't seem to care in the least. Regardless, the heat inside was so stifling, the tradeoff was worth it. Laura was the only one who remained fully in her jumpsuit, happily fanning her girlfriend while playing on her phone. Victor and Mike were busy chatting with Marci, who rested her head on her mans lap, the lower segment of her body was curled in a ball in the seat alongside him.
Feeling Lorelei cuddling up alongside him, Theo's face was practically on fire.
So, Apparently she's clingy… Theo sighed to himself. Good to know.
Theo didn't do or say anything to resist when Marci managed to carry the woman to the seat next to him, shooting him a playful salute before slithering back to her original seat, but now that he couldn't move without possibly disturbing her sleep, Theo started to regret his predicament.
Lorelei somehow remained asleep, despite all the bumps in the road, her chest rising and falling as her arms latched onto his forearm. Her tail tightened around his thigh, the tip scratching at the nip of his ankle. She was mumbling in her sleep, her stomach growling every once in a while.
The walls shook, more so than usual. The ground beneath them was shaking from the tanks treads rolling over the harsh terrain. The lights flickered overhead as they ran over a rather large slab of rock. Theo could only imagine the strain the tanks suspension must be undergoing.
Boot steps echoed as Konrad emerged from the forward hatchway. He bred an intense demeanor about him, his focus seemed purely fixated on something off in the distance, as if he wasn't really aware of his immediate surroundings. He had a blade secured in its scabbard attached to his hip, and it clang against the lip of the hatch as he entered the main chamber.
Theo had a distinct impression that their expedition leader was a veteran, although the older man never betrayed his secrets to anyone, outside of Monica…and maybe Victor. The older man took a moment to look around, seemingly not bothered with the heat, or perhaps he was simply better disciplined to handle it. "I see you all wasted no time getting comfortable."
Monica stiffened, her back to the wall, and was quick to wrap her arms over her chest. A simple linen tank top was all that separated her sprouting nipples from the damp sweaty air.
"Time to get suited up," Konrad shoved Monica's top ceramic chest piece in her hands. "We're almost there."
"Any trouble?" Monica got up on her feet. She sat the armor down, so that she could zip up her sleeveless jumpsuit.
Theo looked over to Lorelei, who was still happily snoring. He didn't have the heart to wake her up.
Konrad nodded to his trusted adjutant, ignoring everyone else in the room. "We're deep in no mans land, a supercell right on our tails, and it appears the trenches aren't as abandoned as we hoped."