Battles 35
(The Hekla, flagship of the 1st fleet had long since departed at the command of Admiral Twistpipe. He was a fierce middle aged Gnome with an unusually aggressive personality type. Since there was no order not to leave, he made the decision to take advantage of the loophole, using his own judgement. He looked at his clock . It was after midnight. Unbeknownst to Az he also answered to the New Rachival Intelligence Agency, who wanted a birds eye view of the Western Deadlands. The Gnomian Scientific Bureau was also responding to the request of the Helian High Elder with whom they had a separate agreement. Equipment, for ground camouflage from aerial intruders needed to be delivered to Drakul's Heart, the sacred volcano of the Dragons. An engineering team would go with the equipment. Above the WA clouds his flagship, the Helka, was still below normal cloud level. They would reach their first drop in thirty minutes at the volcano. That drop mission would take fifteen minutes. How long the equipment would take to set up was not his problem.
The 1st mate reported, “Sir we have an Aerial Disturbance (AD). The AD is incoming from East of Tazoon. Fifteen hundred meters and closing quickly. It is really big sir. I would say about three times the size of an ancient. Changing configuration on the crystal viewing screens. ETA is about four minutes. Without hesitation Admiral Twistpipe softly stated his order, “Captains you know the drill. All up above normal cloud level by one hundred meters. Notify the Helian High Elder we need inbound dragons to us from Drakul's Heart. Give our present speed and position. Use stealth attack sequence--Defensive Alpha. All to stealth mode. Crystal silence. No firing. Ahead full.”
The fleet rose swiftly. What it lacked in aerial maneuverability and speed it made up in altitude modification limited only by the magic of gravity. The ships disappeared in the clouds, followed by fading from view after breaching the clouds. The Fleet was made up of a large flagship ship, ten medium ships, twenty smaller ones with numerous very small scouts spread out in tactical precision. The decision had been made. Fight only if attacked, neither mercy nor quarter would be given. There would be no rescue of downed ships or falling comrades. The mission overrode all other concerns. Fully one half of Az's killers would be the fighting contingents, as needed, in support of three of the four fleets.........Battles Part 2)
Conflict Part 8
High in the Sky between Drakul and the Western Deadlands
Admiral Twistpipe Stood firmly on the forecastle deck observing the fighting on Drakul without fear of the enemies flying past him or the killing of those next to him. His craggy deep lined face was full of old anger and grief, though he faced the battle while scowling without flinching. The Wardogs were impressed and referred to his smile as the hungry look of a blood lusting creature of darkness in the evil realms on the hunt for fresh meat.
Water elemental dragons tried to scale the rocky walls of the Drakul volcano without success. Several of the aerial strikes by the foul elemental dragons of the air had been successful but after those none were able to penetrate the Gnomish fortified batteries with supporting Dwarven warriors for armored infantry. The defensive lines had been shattered in the beginning with two enemy incursions, killing two Dragon matrons. Gnomes and Dwarves had died by the scores, while fighting a near invisible enemy.
Now the Matrons stayed just inside the tunnels holding the entry points to the hatchlings in the underground areas. Thereafter no more incursions occurred . The cost had been too high for a mere snack, or so it appeared. Now the flying creatures sought easier kills on the fleet vessels.
A fast small Scout ship came along side the huge Flagship. The Wardogs leapt up in the air with wings beating, tossing crates in a line down to the deck. The Commander of the Scout looked up at the Admiral Twistpipe who nodded then called for the Captain.
“Yes sir?” replied the Captain.
“Retract all sails above and below. Go to the alternate means of transportation and signal the other ships to do the same, as we had discussed in the briefing before we started.”
“Done Admiral, as ordered.” Both watched the telescoping masts and their sails disappear. The Captain vanished on the hidden stairs going below.
The Scout slewed around above the main deck while unfurling its sails as the smaller masts telescoped inward. The crates were unloaded. The Scout opened it sails with masts telescoping outwards, then leapt southward quickly disappearing into the darkness of the night.
A huge Wardog officer landed on the deck beside Admiral Twistpipe saying, “The Master Tinker on the Juggernaut sends his regards and says 'I hope Admiral Twistpipe enjoys his birthday present early'. Do we have permission Admiral to set up the device? We cannot find the Captain.” The Wardog quietly knelt on one knee and attentively looked down at the diminutive Gnome without blinking or portraying any type of emotion.
The Admiral, who had not moved in all this time, turned his head slowly and grinned at the officer. The Wardog grinned back without saying a word. The Admiral understood the Wardogs perfectly and they knew him thus no communication was necessary.
To the East a small dot appeared and became progressively larger very quickly. Twistpipe recognized the Dragon. Knoble stopped and hovered by the forecastle where Admiral Twistpipe was standing. Looking at the Admiral the Gifted One spoke serenely. “Fear not Admiral Twistpipe, help is coming. It is our belief you will be pleased.”
Twistpipe replied tartly, “I fear nothing Dragon. I hope the mentioned assistance comes faster than what we received at Old Rachival from the other races. I do however thank you for the assistance you have given to this fleet on this peculiar and particular night. It shall be remembered by us all. May Telak grant you a favorable wind Knoble.”
With no further reply from the Admiral, Knoble said nothing and then turned once again and headed southward on Gifted orders from Istaria.
The fleet was stalled off the coast of the Western Deadlands. Unable to proceed forward, due to unnatural headwinds coming from the Western Deadlands, with no Draconic allies present to assist their way forward. The Third and Fourth biped fleets had left Dalimond after resupply and were supposedly on the way. Twistpipe grunted in dissatisfaction.
In the far East to his position there formed in the horizon a tall brilliant column of multicolored flames. It lasted for a moment or so then the darkness of WA cloud cover and night supplanted that event's great light from afar. Admiral Twistpipe chuckled then turned his attention to the place of his intended arrival.
Hordes of WA were coming out of the ground by the teleport towers. Their orders were to had to Tazoon in the South East or straight towards the Tower of Nature. Supposedly the Tower was guarded not only by Mortals and Dryads, but their Goddess as well. However, the Goddess once again was not paying attention.
The Outer perimeter had been broken and the tower guards were now being pressed backwards up the stairs. Dark smoke was coming out of the tower. The sacred tree within had begun to burn. Dragon fire had already blown out part of the walls since the Watcher Dragon who usually observed from the roof top was finally involved. He was no doubt infuriated due to the inconvenience of dead, alive and undead Naka interfering with his duties.
Twistpipe was amused that the roar of the Dragon's livid ferocity could be heard even on his flagship far away. Not a single planned munition had been dropped on the Western Deadlands—yet. Twistpipe turned slightly, viewing the Rainbow Bridge to the Dryad lands. The dead were piling up on the Eastern side. The Dryads were mostly holding their own but were still being slowly pressed back Westward.
Finally Twistpipe used his special spyglasses to check his ships. A full twenty five percent of his fleet no longer existed. Every ship was under crystal silence and with orders for silent running and no return fire unless attacked. Ships fell burning to the water with the Gnomes dropping off them like a white water river running through a sieve. One commander in the distance saw the Admiral looking at him as he fell from his burning ship. He saluted, following his orders without a single word or shout of fear.
Admiral Twistpipe returned the salute slowly keeping eye contact with him till the aerial officer disappeared below in the darkness. This was beginning to look like the battle for Old Rachival so long ago.....
The Beginning of the End continues...