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WolfLord7777

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Without turning Troy knew it was the voice of his second-in-command, Lieutenant Lucien “Baron” Sumona. The nickname was a reference to the fact that he was a member of the ScapeRune aristocracy. Although it was not uncommon for nobles sons to fight in the ScapeRune army, it was rare for them to serve on the front line, and even rarer for them to continue for more than a year or two, let alone five. But he had decided to stay on to serve Troy, who had saved his life on many different occasions.

“Very well Lucien. Get the men ready. I want to be out of here as soon as possible, I don’t want any more scars,” Troy replied.

“Already have done, Sir,” Lucien replied smoothly.

Troy smiled. Although it could sometimes grate on his nerves Lucien’s preemptive instincts and quick-thinking was worth any annoyance on the battlefield.

Troy turned around and started walking back down to the staging area where his company was forming up, on the way picking his weapons. His weapons were strapped onto a battle-worn harness with two pistols on his hip holsters and large shotgun on his back, along with a large number of knives and a thick bullwhip.

Behind him strode Lucien, his face creased into a frown. He was staring up at a figure in red robes standing on a hill. He was sure that for a moment another figure, wreathed in fire, stood beside him.

***

Derk McCarthy stood on the Ardougne docks, fingering the signet ring on his right hand without realizing it. Before him the Royal Ardougne Ship Venerator was bustling with activity. The RAS Venerator was Derks flagship, the biggest ship Ardougne had ever created. It was capable of holding 150 000 marines and 5000 vehicles. It was currently being filled with the best soldiers Runescape could supply, drawn from all of the races and kingdoms, save the elves. It was supporter by three Exterminator class destroyers.

“Derk, are you sure you wish to join this expedition?” a voice said behind him.

18-Jan-2011 01:12:06 - Last edited on 27-Jan-2011 08:43:31 by WolfLord7777

WolfLord7777

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Derk turned around to see the other Ardougne Admiral of the Fleet, a man called Roald Creswell.

“She is my ship Roald. I will not stand idle while my crew risk their lives. They do their jobs, and I will do mine. I did not join the Navy to watch my men die for me, I joined to do my duty. And I will do it,” Derk replied smoothly.

“If you don’t make it back Derk, it’s been good knowing you. Who will be your successor?” Roald replied smoothly.

“Amik,” Derk replied just as smoothly.

A flicker of surprise flickered across Roald’s face as he heard Derk name the youngest of the Admirals currently in office. Sir Amik Cauthon was 32 and had only been raised to an Admiral three months earlier. He had only served in three command posts before and was still finding his feet in his new position.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea Derk?” Roald asked tentatively.

“I am sure. Now, unless you’ve got anything further to add, I need to get going,” Derk said.

“Of course,” Roald said in his smooth voice, before turning around and walking away.

He never noticed the sneer that twisted Derk’s mouth as he watched Roald’s back. He hated the smooth-tongued, arrogant man. He was a member of the Royal House of Ardougne, and had become Admiral of the Fleet through friends in high places and bribing. He had never served in combat and now never had to. That was why Derk had chosen Amik. Amik was a brilliant soldier and a skilled battlefield commander, although he had little knowledge in Navy tactics. He was also stubborn as a mule, strong-willed and it was impossible to make him do anything he did*’t want to. If Derk had chosen anyone else Roald would wrestle control from them bit by bit until, within a month there would only be one Admiral of the Fleet, and that Admiral a man who had never fought and had no knowledge of strategy.

18-Jan-2011 01:12:14 - Last edited on 27-Jan-2011 08:43:48 by WolfLord7777

WolfLord7777

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Derk roused himself from his reverie and rushed towards the ramp arcing out onto the ship and made his way across. No sooner was he across than the sailors standing on either side of it detached it and the ship started to pull away.

As the Ardougne dock pulled away Derk wondered if he would ever see it again.

***

Roal flashed the torch under his rifle back down the tunnel. It illuminated the empty tunnel with an arc of white light.

There torches had burned out hours ago and their torch batteries were running out fast.

“Still nothing this way Deother,” he called behind him to where Deother stood in front of a pile of rocks blocking the tunnel. He was busy pulling them away while Roal and Fang kept watch.

“Nothing here either,” Fang said from the tunnel on his left.

Deother nodded and resumed pulling away the rocks blocking their path.

For the last few hours they had been harried by the undead creatures, who were slowly pushing them east. Their attacks had been growing gradually in strength and the time between the attacks growing less. Until finally they had been cornered against this cave in with their supplies running low.

“Somethin’s coming!” Fang called, raising his gun and firing a short three round burst.

Roals eyes flickered toward Fang, and as he was distracted the creatures struck.

There was a grunting roar and several of the creatures rushed forward. Roal raised his rifle, aiming for the creatures head, knowing that that was his only chance of stopping them. His grenades had run out long ago and he did*’t like his chances of using the knife Deother had given him against one of the monsters.

18-Jan-2011 01:12:21 - Last edited on 11-Jul-2011 11:45:12 by WolfLord7777

WolfLord7777

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One of the creatures’ legs gave way and it fell to the ground, knocking another down with it. Roal fired several rounds in quick succession at the last of the creatures, his rounds ripping through rotting flesh and bone, shattering its legs. It collapsed to the ground and started pulling itself toward him with its arms.

Then Roals rifle ran dry and he started frantically reloading.

By then the uninjured creature had stumbled to its feet and rushed forward.

Roal tossed his rifle to the side and drew his pistol.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Creature staggered as Roals bullets ripped through it, but it kept coming. Roal backed away, then tripped on a piece of looses rock. He fell to the floor, his pistol flying across the floor. He scrabbled backwards, pulling his knife out of its sheath. Then its finger guard caught on a piece of his combat webbing. He tried to pull it unhook it but it was stuck fast.

By then the creature was almost on top of him, roaring its rage at him. Its face rushed towards him, jaw wide, revealing a mouth full of huge square teeth, chipped and broken.

Then a blade flashed the air and the creatures head thumped to the ground next to Roal. Its body fell down next to him.

Deother vaulted over him, his blades flashing in the fain light being given off from the torch on the side of Roals helmet.

The other monsters crawling forward also fell to his slashing blades, truncated limbs falling to the ground as the monsters fell like wheat to a scythe.

Roal scrambled to his feet and picked up his weapons, before moving the combat webbing obstructing his knife sheath and drawing the knife.

Then he rushed back to help Fang.

18-Jan-2011 01:12:28 - Last edited on 28-Jan-2011 00:11:25 by WolfLord7777

WolfLord7777

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***

Fang raised his gun and fired another controlled burst at the charging creatures. Empty bullet casings covered the floor, tinkling every time he moved.

He fingered his last remaining magazine which was hanging from his utility belt. He had already used up two 30 round magazines and was almost finished his last one.

Suddenly his gun clicked dry. He ripped the old one out and shoved the new one in, ramming it home just in time to see another creature rushing towards him.

He raised his gun and let rip with an extended burst. The rotting creature was shredded by the devastating wave of fire, falling to the floor. Fang swung his gun round toward the desiccated corpse. But he only got a few shots off before it jammed.

Fang snorted in disgust.

“Always happens when you least want it,” he muttered angrily.

He raised his pistol and chambered a round before emptying four bullets into the creature’s spinal column, completely severing the nerves. It spasmed several times before collapsing to the floor.

There was a lull for a few moments while the Zogres regrouped. He pulled out his assault rifle and started clearing the jam.

“How’re you going?” a voice came from behind him.

He spun around, reaching for his pistol. In his haste he dropped his rifle and when he tried to draw his pistol it got stuck on his combat webbing. He cursed violently and pulled the cloth away from the handle of his pistol and dragged it out of its holster.

Roal chuckled. “I do that all the time. So, how are you going?”

“I’m almost out of ammo for my assault rifle. Only,” he checked the clear panel on his magazine, “32 rounds left. Only got about 40 rounds for my pistol. Plus my incendiaries. You?” Fang reported, in an abrupt, military fashion.

18-Jan-2011 01:12:34 - Last edited on 30-Jan-2011 21:08:48 by WolfLord7777

WolfLord7777

Posts: 1,881 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

“14 rounds for my rifle and 20 for my pistol. And my knife, of course,” Roal replied, “I think we’d better fall back. We need to get out of here as soon as possible, we can’t hold them off forever. We can cover Deother more easily if we’re closer to him.”

Fang nodded slowly. “I think that’s a good idea. If Deother is right there’s thousands more of these . . . things . . . down here. The sooner we’re out the better.”

Suddenly Roal raised his rifle to his shoulder and snapped off a round.

One of the creatures which were approaching silently fell to the floor as its knee split. The others rushed over it, roaring, arms raised.

Fang raised his recently cleared weapon and fired several short bursts, backing down the tunnel. The Zogres followed them on decomposing feet, roaring their displeasure that there prey was getting away.

***

White-hot flames engulfed the end of the tunnel. Inhuman screams filled the air, shrieking in absolute agony.

Selvaria grimaced. Even monsters such as these did*’t deserve to die so horribly.

Dorn strode ahead, staff in hand. He barely seemed to notice the horrible shrieking coming from the burning Zogres.

Several more Zogres appeared before them. But before Selvaria or Hawk could even reach for their weapons they were blasted off their feet, crashing into the wall with deep thuds. Invisible blades slashed huge gashes from their bodies.

“Dorn, how much further?” Hawk wheezed.

Selvaria looked at him worriedly. She knew that Hawk was not a soldier, and was not a young man either. He could not be expected to keep this up much longer, and she had a sneaking suspicion that if he fell behind Dorn would not stop or even slow.

“Shut up and keep moving,” Dorn replied without even slowing.

18-Jan-2011 01:12:41 - Last edited on 30-Jan-2011 21:09:08 by WolfLord7777

WolfLord7777

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Selvaria glared at his back. She knew that she got off lighter than some of the others, why she did not know. Fang got off worse than the others, mainly because he was so different to Dorn. But still, she did not want a confrontation with him when he was in a foul mood.

Far behind them the roof of the tunnel collapsed under the huge heat from Dorns flame barrier. The tunnel shook violently as rocks began falling from the ceiling.

Selvaria looked worriedly at the roof, hoping that it wouldn’t come down.

“There’s an exit about 200 metres along,” Dorn said.

Selvaria nodded, relieved that they were almost out of the claustrophobic catacombs. If anything, Hawk looked even more relieved. Selvaria knew that he hated enclosed spaces, and that he was always happiest in the sky, where he was free.

“Keep moving!” Dorn snapped, “unless you want to stay here? I’m sure I could arrange that,” he said maliciously.

Selvaria and Hawk hurried along, almost running again to catch up.

18-Jan-2011 01:12:49 - Last edited on 30-Jan-2011 21:09:23 by WolfLord7777

WolfLord7777

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Chapter Three: First Assault

Stars glittered like a thousand diamonds in the night sky. The moon hovered over the unusually tranquil waters of the river flowing south out of Ardougne, casting a thousand dappled shadows over the wavy water.

Hidden by their dark colour and the poor light four large metal hulks sped northward, against the normally swift current of the river.

Inside the foremost submarines control room Captain Troy examined a small map, detailing the section of city surrounding the part of the wall where the water flowed out.

“How much further?” Troy asked one of the navigation officers standing beside him.

“About two kilometres, sir. At current speed it will take about half an hour to get there, sir,* the petty officer replied.

“Inform the Colonel that we will be commencing the assault in 40 minutes. As per the plan he is to send in his backup five minutes later and then inform the Major that we have created a breach. The second wave should be half an hour behind us,” Troy said, not taking his eyes off the map. He was intent on taking in every detail of the map that the army’s spies had supplied for him. After all, this was the terrain where he would be leading the assault, against several thousand men with only 200 men behind him.

He heard the petty officers around him darting around, organizing his orders.

“Are you sure it was a wise decision to elect to lead the assault sir? Our company is the smallest and none of the men had fought in a city before,” Lucien’s voice came from behind him.

“On the contrary, I am sure it was very unwise. However, I have a feeling that the Major was instructed to make sure that I lead the assault. If I hadn’t suggested it he would have made me lead it anyway, and probably give me a whipping as well,” Troy replied without turning around.

“Why are you being so paranoid about being punished further for something that has probably already been forgotten?” Lucien asked in exasperation.

18-Jan-2011 01:14:00 - Last edited on 06-Feb-2011 08:49:51 by WolfLord7777

WolfLord7777

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Troy grimaced. “I’m sure that they havn’t forgotten. I was only lightly punished at the time for letting him get away, and as you of all people would know our Lords and Masters don’t forgive or forget easily.”

Lucien’s eyebrows rose at the suggestion that having your face cut in half was a light punishment.

But before he could say so Troy spoke.

“Get the men ready. First six squads go in first, with support from the first four support units. Once the immediate area is cleared the rest move in and expand the perimeter to 100 metres, no further.”

“Yes sir,” Lucien said, unsurprised. It was the standard assault tactic. Make a small hole to start and then quickly gain a foot hold so that they couldn’t easily root you out and then bring more men in as fast as possible and expand the perimeter via several small, easy steps.

“And make sure the Colonel is ready. I want that support as soon as possible, we can’t hold out for long,” Troy continued.

“Yes sir,” Lucien replied perfunctually.

***

Water sprayed up on either side of the boats prow as it sliced through the water. At the prow of the ship was a large heavy machine gun emplacement, and the rear command deck was covered by them.

Inside the large open-air hold of the transport ship Derk grimaced as the ship bounced up and down in the large waves, whipped up by the lashing wind. Derk* stomach gurgled and bile rose in his throat. He had good sea legs, even for a sailor, but even he had to struggle to keep his dinner down in the wild thrashing sea.

Derk knew that in this season wild weather was common, but even so, there shouldn’t have been so many storms of this magnitude.

“Its not natural,” he muttered.

“What was that sir?” a voice said from behind him. He turned, glowering. He was sick of people sneaking up on him.

18-Jan-2011 01:14:07 - Last edited on 06-Feb-2011 08:50:10 by WolfLord7777

WolfLord7777

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He saw his new personal bodyguard, a replacement for Snake. He was not as good a soldier as Snake had been, nor as good a commander, nor had he served under Derk since he was 20, although it was too late for that, if not for the others.

“I said, how long till we get to the shore?” he lied.

“About five minutes sir. I really do think we should get back to the Tauros, sir,* the man replied, referring to the amphibious APC in which he and the rest of the command squad were supposed to be.

“I’m in command here. But you’re right, we really should get ready,” Derk said, sighing.

He turned around and strode back towards the ladder leading down from the observation ledge running around the edge of the open-air hold. He was halfway to the ladder before the other man had even blinked, and had slid down the ladder before his bodyguard had reached it. He knew it was foolish leaving his bodyguard behind like that, but he thought it was a feeble imitation of the protection Snake had given him.

On the floor of the hold was 21 Tauros’s, each one capable of holding 10 men. Derk headed for the Tauros at the head of the column, with the rest of his command squad, seven men in all.

As he reached it the front assault ramp of the vehicle opened down on pneumatic hinges.

The Tauros transport is unusual for several reasons. Firstly, it has an assault ramp at the front of the vehicle which allows the passengers to embark straight out from the transport into combat, rather than walk around from the back, allowing mechanized beach landings, as they were known, to happen slightly faster. However, this means that the drivers compartment is at the back, meaning that they have to rely on cameras to steer the Tauros, making the Tauros one of the most unwieldy vehicles in Ardougnes armoury. Secondly, its walls are only coated with steel an inch thick on the inside and outside. The middle of the walls is filled with highly buoyant blast foam, allowing it to float for a short time.

18-Jan-2011 01:14:14 - Last edited on 06-Feb-2011 08:50:34 by WolfLord7777

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