Vincent stayed in the Town Hall, coordinating the movements of his troops through the communication network. He watched as the icons representing the platoons moved on the digital map of the island.
All things are moving accordingly with plans with Alpha 3 and 4 at Leona Lake and Alpha 1 and 2 heading to the Ager's Forest.
Meanwhile, Viper 1, the pilot of the Bell AH-1Z Viper, expertly maneuvered the helicopter over Leona Lake. From his vantage point, the pilot had a clear view of the lake and the surrounding area, where clusters of Cherubs were emerging from the water's edge.
"Engaging targets," Viper 1 radioed in.
The pilot first engaged the 20mm M197 three-barrel rotary cannon mounted under the nose of the Viper. The cannon roared to life, spitting out a stream of high-velocity rounds. The tracer bullets lit up the air, slicing through the Cherubs with devastating accuracy. The Wandering Cherubs fell in droves, their thick hides no match for the armor-piercing rounds.
With the initial targets neutralized, Viper 1 switched to the AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. These laser-guided missiles were perfect for taking out the larger, more formidable Bigfoot Cherubs that had appeared. He locked onto a group of the towering beasts and pressed the button.
"Missiles away," he reported as he fired.
The Hellfire missiles streaked from their launch rails, leaving trails of smoke as they honed in on their targets. The explosions were deafening, sending shockwaves through the air and tearing the Bigfoot Cherubs apart. The creatures were obliterated in the blasts, their bodies reduced to charred remnants.
Next, the pilot utilized the Hydra 70 rocket pods. The unguided rockets launched in rapid succession, creating a carpet of explosions along the lakeshore. The Smallhorn Cherubs tried to dart between the trees and rocks, but the sheer volume of rockets made escape impossible. The forest floor erupted in flames and debris, eradicating the smaller monsters in a fiery spectacle.
"Area secure," Viper 1 confirmed after the last of the rockets were expended. He circled the lake once more, scanning for any remaining threats. Seeing none, he reported back to Vincent.
"Viper 1 to Actual, Leona Lake is clear. All visible targets neutralized."
"Good job, Viper 1. We will leave it to Platoon 3 and 4 to clean up whatever you have missed. Now I want you to scout further to the Ager's Forest and see what you can find up there."
"Roger that Actual…heading to the Ager's Forest," Viper 1 acknowledged, adjusting the helicopter's course towards the dense forest. The rotor blades whirred steadily as the Viper cut through the air, leaving the smoldering remains of the Leona Lake battle behind.
As Viper 1 approached the Ager's Forest, the canopy thickened, making it difficult to see what lay beneath. The pilot carefully maneuvered the helicopter, staying alert for any signs of movement or threats from below. The dense foliage created an almost impenetrable green blanket, obscuring his view.
"Can't see much from up here," Viper 1 reported, frustration creeping into his voice. "Thick canopy is blocking most of the view."
"Keep pushing deeper," Vincent's voice crackled over the radio. "We need to know what's in there."
Viper 1 complied, guiding the helicopter further into the forest. Suddenly, the dense greenery gave way to a large clearing. The sight below was unexpected—a section of the forest had been completely deforested. The ground was scorched and barren, with blackened tree stumps and patches of charred earth scattered across the area.
"Actual, this is Viper 1," the pilot radioed in, his tone serious. "I've found a large deforested area on the eastern edge of the Ager's Forest. It looks like something or someone has cleared it out."
Vincent's voice came through with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Understood, Viper 1. Can you see any movement or signs of the Cherubs?"
"Negative on visual contact," Viper 1 replied, scanning the area with the helicopter's sensors. "No immediate threats detected, but the place looks like a battleground. I'm taking a closer look."
As Viper 1 descended to get a better view, the ground suddenly trembled. From the edges of the clearing, figures began to emerge. The pilot's eyes widened as he took in their appearance.
"Actual, this is Viper 1. I have visuals of multiple hostile figures emerging from the deforested area. They appear to be a type of kobold—short, stocky creatures with a hunched, bulky frame, thick pale skin, and long sharp claws. They're carrying what looked to be an ax."
Vincent's voice came through the radio, sounding alert. "Copy that, Viper 1. Do not engage, leave that to the Platoon 1 and 2. Continue scouting the whole island. In case they need air support, Viper 2 will handle it."
"Copy that Actual, ascending now," Viper 1 acknowledged, pulling the helicopter up and away from the deforested area.
The pilot adjusted his course, heading north to continue his reconnaissance mission. As he flew over the Ager's Forest, he kept an eye out for any unusual activity. The thick canopy gradually thinned out, revealing a new area below.
"Actual, this is Viper 1. I have a visual on a strip mine to the north of the deforested area. There are more kobolds here, and they seem to be working the mine. Different varieties too, some larger and more heavily armed."
Vincent's voice came through with concern. "Understood, Viper 1. Maintain a safe distance and continue your recon. We need to gather as much intel as possible."
"Roger that," Viper 1 replied, circling the strip mine to get a better look. The kobolds below were indeed a diverse group. Some were larger, wielding heavy pickaxes and makeshift armor, while others were acting like guards as there is a watchtower with a kobold archer.
After gathering sufficient intel on the strip mine, Viper 1 adjusted his course westward, continuing his exploration. The terrain below began to change, and he soon found himself hovering over a completely different environment.
"Actual, this is Viper 1. I've reached the western side of the strip mine. The landscape here is pristine, but instead of towering trees, there are giant mushrooms dominating the area. It looks like something out of a fantasy world."
"Copy that, Viper 1. Keep an eye out for any signs of activity. This area might hold more surprises."
Viper 1 carefully maneuvered the helicopter over the towering mushrooms, scanning the ground for any signs of life. The vibrant, otherworldly landscape was both beautiful and eerie. Large, colorful mushrooms created a canopy of their own, and they were bioluminescent, glowing in a violet hue.
As the pilot continued his patrol, he spotted movement among the mushrooms. They were mushroom-like creatures—mushroom monsters? Viper 1 watched as the creatures moved with surprising agility, their mushroom caps swaying with each step. These creatures seemed to be guarding the area, indicating that something valuable or dangerous might be hidden within the mushroom forest.
"Actual, this is Viper 1. I've got visuals on what looks like mushroom monsters. They seem to be patrolling the area. Do you want me to engage?"
Vincent's voice came through with a decisive tone. "Negative, Viper 1. Just observe for now. Wait until the Platoons get there."
"Copy that."
As Viper 1 flew further west, he noticed a narrow path cutting through the forest, leading towards the base of a mountain. He followed the path with his eyes, and at the end of the road, he spotted something unusual.
"Actual, this is Viper 1," the pilot reported. "I've found what looks like a mine entrance at the base of the mountain. There are kobolds guarding the entrance and several more inside, based on the movement I'm detecting. This could be a significant location."
"Understood, Viper 1. Good work. You are now to stand by and wait for further instructions," Vincent said, looking over the map.
What he was doing earlier was cross-referencing what Viper 1 was seeing with the map they have right now. The map was legit.