Dimensional Travels: World at War

Josh sat at his desk as Susan helped him sift through files from Lockheed Martin. Once Mithrael had told Josh about the site, he had requested every report the Empire had from before the facility was destroyed. His eyes narrowed as he read a diagram that held schematics the company had been experimenting with.

"Oh?" Something on the page he was reading caught his eye. His fingers traced over the schematic. "It could be possible."

Susan walked forward, looking over Josh’s shoulder. "Is that the Sraiz, but on wheels?" she asked.

Josh shook his head. "No. It is a lesser version of what is the Brios, but on wheels. What this could do is target something as far away as Hood Hill and completely decimate an area. It is called The M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System. It is different from what the otherworlders are using because this targets an area. The otherworlders currently do not have something like this. If we can build an adjacent system to what is in this diagram, we gain an edge."

Susan tilted her head. "Don’t the Paladins also target an area? They were able to destroy most of the Esponia mountains. How does that differ with what you are describing here?"

Josh turned to answer but was interrupted when a soldier ran into the room. "Sir! Urgent report!"

Josh grumbled but turned back to the guard.

"Yes, what is it?"

The guard kneeled. "Sir, the barriers around the Brios all withheld the barrage, but most of the men involved in the operation were all lost in the avalanche. We have successfully rescued roughly one hundred men, but we still have forty men missing. We won’t be able to launch with the few personnel we have left."

Josh sat back in his chair. He set the schematics aside and pulled out the map of Esponia.

"Have the launchers and Brios cannons move back to the North side of the mountain. At this juncture, targeting the civilian city will be placed on hold. Search teams should work until sundown. Find the men."

The guard bowed his head and pounded his hand over his chest.

Once the guard left, Josh leaned against his chair. He looked down at the map with his hands clasped together as if he was praying. "You know, when I came to this world, I thought it would be easy. Those first few days with the traitor were like a dream come true. Now, I am back doing the same thing I did on Earth. Every soldier lost because of my plan is a knife in my heart. I can’t help but wonder if we are doing the right thing. Why can’t there be peace? I am tired. It seems like everywhere I go in life, there is war, and every war I go to... I lose more of myself."

Susan walked over, placing her arms around him and hugging him.

"I know what you mean, Josh." She whispered, her voice barely audible.

"This war has been going on for five hundred years, and sometimes I question it myself. I asked Prince Heith about it once. He explained at the time that the war had been going on because Lord Mithrael believes mortals can’t guide themselves. He wants to rid the world of war, famine, homelessness, poverty, and as much suffering as he can limit. That is why we still fight, Josh. We suffer now, but in the future our children can grow up in a happy household where the world no longer holds itself back."

Josh’s ears perked up as she hugged him from behind. He traced her arm with his fingertips.

"Our children, eh?"

"Don’t change the subject. You know what I meant."

Josh nodded as he digested her words. "I understand what you told me though. We fight to build our future. I just wish it didn’t have to be fighting. Even in our world, land procurement was never peaceful. Let’s go talk to Lord Mithrael. I want to discuss my next idea for the siege. Your words gave me the strength to continue this war."

Susan smiled as Josh stood up.

"Good. I like this smiling version of you."

Back at Esponia, Eric watched as Cartharic soldiers dug through thick snow. Names were called out as beast kin and humans alike traveled the mountain, looking for survivors. Michael shook his head next to Eric.

"I assume we do not engage?"

"No. Not only would that be a war crime. We are not monsters. They are men, just like us. They follow orders, just like us."

"Forward unit, fall back. We will reconsolidate at Phase Line Mike."

After arriving back at Phase Line Mike, Eric stood with his arms crossed over the map. A heated argument was taking place after Mia suggested she try to infiltrate a compound in the forest.

"Mia, you are not infiltrating that camp." He growled.

"They still have forces surrounding us. I will not allow you to charge in like a berserker. I do not care if you think it is a good idea. We have assets that can do the same thing, without risking the best intel operative we have."

Mia chuckled, her hand tracing along Eric’s chin. The staff officers surrounding them pretended to be reading their notes, and money was being exchanged behind Eric.

"My love, we need to verify the positions of the troops ourselves. I have better eyes than normal humans, and I have trained all my life for missions like this. We need two teams. One watches Esponia, the other tracks the forces in the forest. I know that you know who needs to go where."

Eric sighed as he held her hand.

"Why is it always us?"

Milano cleared his throat as he walked up, and the couple separated, focusing once more on the map.

"Dryer, report."

Eric nodded, saluting. "Yes sir. As you know, the Empire soldiers are conducting search and rescue on Esponia. It seems they still have soldiers under the snow. We were able to capture a tiger kin, and my soldiers are conducting an interrogation as we speak. Captain Stryer and I also observed the soldiers moving the Brios systems back to their side of the mountain."

Milano’s eyebrows arched. "You were able to capture an Empire soldier?"

"Yes sir. He was among those effected by the avalanche. We recovered him near where Captain Stryer and I were conducting surveillance on Esponia."

Milano grabbed his cigarettes, leaning against his truck. "What have we learned from him so far?"

"Sir, they have a total of ten Brios cannons on Esponia, and have retrofitted four more launcher systems."

Milano put the pack of cigarettes away as his eyes narrow. "Do you believe this is actionable? What led him to relay all this information?"

"According to the prisoner, he is facing severe persecution and discrimination inside the Empire. There apparently are many beastkin and demi-humans that suffer the same fate. He told us that if we could offer him a place free of persecution and asylum from the Empire, he would tell us everything he knew. I had to call Princess Ayeolla and ask for her permission. She agreed to those terms, and we were able to obtain all the information we need."

Milano nodded. "Alright. From here on out, assign someone from Freedom town to watch over him. Until he proves trustworthy, he will maintain surveillance."

"Yes sir."

Milano then sat down at the table. He looked around at the command staff. "Dryer, get in contact with Ricky. Have the platoon coordinate with ISR and verify the location of Cartharic units. S-3, contact the Carrier. Request for E-2 mobilization. Inform them we have a high value target to collect intelligence and need recon for that."

After issuing out orders, Milano stood up. He circled the table.

"This ends today."

He then looked at Eric. "Dryer, you will lead the ground assault."

"Yes sir."

Eric and Mia met at Eric’s vehicle. Jessica and Liam stood in front of them.

"You know the rules. We are not heroes. Remember the training, and rely on those to your left and right. Jessica, Kamer trained you personally. Do not let that power get to your head. You are powerful, but still young. This is war. You can’t save everyone. Liam, I expect to be at your wedding. You better live, kid. My daughter needs you just as much as you need her. Now, go. I expect to see both of you at home after all of this."

Suddenly, the radio crackled. Units came over the net as the family shared one last embrace. Eric loaded into his vehicle while Jessica, Liam, and Mia departed to the East.

Eric drove to the front of the line. He stopped near Michael. "Are you ready bud?"

Michael eyed Eric with a flat expression. "Don’t I outrank you? Why do you always boss me around?"

Eric smirked. "Don’t confuse your power, with my authority."