>>6126659
“Speaking privately, I respect that,” he admits. “But as a general I can’t accept it so easily.”

You take a moment yourself before answering. “Believe it or not, I haven’t often had the opportunity to speak with an enemy general. Perhaps I should be showing a little more patience, lest I lose that opportunity prematurely.”

General Waverly nods along. “I think I understand. You want information.”

“Always.”

“To what end?”

“To address a historical deficit.”

That seems to satisfy him. “If I give you the information you seek, will you be at least somewhat more cooperative?”

“That depends on your answers.”

After a few more seconds, the old general sighs wearily. “Very well, though you should remember that my answers will depend on your questions.”

>Focus on the General himself for a while. Why him? Why the Organization? What line of reasoning brought him to this place?
>Press him on the Asarakam, and details of the ‘war’ on the continent that you’ve heard of. Details have been surprisingly scarce.
>What IS the Organization? Where is it headquartered? Who started its operations and why? How does it fund its activities?
>… what did he mean, “one of a few”?
>Other?

>>6126665
>>Press him on the Asarakam, and details of the ‘war’ on the continent that you’ve heard of. Details have been surprisingly scarce.

>>6126665
>Focus on the General himself for a while. Why him? Why the Organization? What line of reasoning brought him to this place?
As an icebreaker.

>>6126665
>>Press him on the Asarakam, and details of the ‘war’ on the continent that you’ve heard of. Details have been surprisingly scarce.

>>6126665
>>>Press him on the Asarakam, and details of the ‘war’ on the continent that you’ve heard of. Details have been surprisingly scarce.

>>6126665
>3d10 best of three

Rolled 7, 7, 10 = 24 (3d10)

>>6127123

Rolled 6, 5, 10 = 21 (3d10)

>>6127123

Rolled 10, 8, 7 = 25 (3d10)

>>6127123

>>6127123
“Ultimately,” you begin after weighing your words carefully, “we know precious little about the asarakam and the war which apparently occurred between them and humanity. Because of that we can only make clever guesses about our place within that broader context.”

General Waverly nods once. “That must be frustrating. Thankfully I can offer some clarity, though the story you are asking to hear is quite a long one.”

“I’m a patient woman.”

“In your own investigations, did you discover that beyond a certain point no written records seem to exist?” the General asks. “Even in the oldest archives in this region?”

“We did,” you acknowledge. “It almost seems to suggest that writing appeared fully-formed at a certain point.”

“Which would strain credulity,” Waverly observes. “The alternate theory of course being that there was some sort of discontinuity – before which history could have been recorded due to the existence of writing, but either was not recorded or was unavailable for some reason.”

“You propose to know that reason.”

“The reason was that these islands were deliberately settled by what you call ‘the Organization’ two thousand years ago, and records of that journey and initial settlement were obliterated.”

“Two thousand years,” you repeat… your mind briefly conjuring up thoughts and memories of the Organization’s technological feats. “You mentioned multiple islands?”

“I did,” he confirms.

“And they were settled prior to the war between the asarakam and humans?” you guess. “And were cut off at some point, probably when it became obvious that the asarakam had an advantage?”
>1/2

>>6128527
“Correct,” the General confirms. “Now, tell me this – what would you say if I told you that the religion of the ‘Twin Goddesses’ actually venerates two ships named ‘Teresa’ and ‘Claire’?”

>Venerating the two ships that brought our ancestors here makes some sense.
>I find that a little difficult to believe. Where are you getting most of this information?
>Other?

>>6129005
>>Venerating the two ships that brought our ancestors here makes some sense.

>>6129005
>Venerating the two ships that brought our ancestors here makes some sense.

>>6129005
>Venerating the two ships that brought our ancestors here makes some sense.

>>6129005
>Venerating the two ships that brought our ancestors here makes some sense.

>>6129005
>3d10 best of three

Rolled 8, 8, 6 = 22 (3d10)

>>6129351

Rolled 1, 5, 8 = 14 (3d10)

>>6129351

Rolled 2, 8, 5 = 15 (3d10)

>>6129351
>>6129351

>>6129005
“Well,” you muse, “I suppose it makes more sense to venerate the two ships that brought our ancestors here than most things.”

General Waverly shakes his head. “That’s… not quite it.”

“How do you mean?” Sabela speaks up, having heard something that she evidently doesn’t like.

“The name of our ‘Organization’? What we call ourselves?” he continues. “The Keepers. What we ‘keep’? Knowledge of the Old World. The origin point for our species.”

“That’s why the Organization’s technology and scientific knowledge always seem a few steps ahead of the rest of us,” Sabela acknowledges. “It’s not that they’re ahead, so much as the rest of us have lost what we once had.”

“You’re starting to understand,” Waverly nods. “I will admit however that even our own records are incomplete… so much has been lost.”

>So that’s it then. You’re using this preserved knowledge to devise a weapon against the asarakam, even if it takes centuries.
>That’s insane. If we couldn’t win with your predecessors’ complete knowledge, how do you intend to win centuries later?
>So what’s the asarakam’s perspective? Why fight the war? What have they been doing since? What are they doing now?
>Other?

>>6130762
>So what’s the asarakam’s perspective? Why fight the war? What have they been doing since? What are they doing now?

>>6130762
>So what’s the asarakam’s perspective? Why fight the war? What have they been doing since? What are they doing now?

>>6130762
>So what’s the asarakam’s perspective? Why fight the war? What have they been doing since? What are they doing now?

>>6130762
>3d10 best of three

Rolled 9, 6, 3 = 18 (3d10)

>>6132341

Rolled 3, 5, 1 = 9 (3d10)

>>6132341

Rolled 7, 5, 4 = 16 (3d10)

>>6132341

>>6132341
There’s something important missing from this account, of course – the asarakam’s perspective, whatever that may actually be.

“And what about the asarakam?” you ask with a frown. ‘Why did they fight a war against us in the first place? What have they done in the time since then? What are they doing now?”

“In truth, I’ve heard very little to explain one entire half of this conflict that my kind are apparently a part of.”

At this, the general seems to grow slightly uncomfortable – or at least a little more so than before. “I cannot say much about our enemy, owing to how differently they view this world.”

“Say what you can, then,” you cross your arms impatiently.

A moment later, he nods in agreement. “Very well. Since they emerged victorious in the aftermath of the great war they have remained mostly separated from humanity. Many are likely in seclusion, though enough show themselves on at least a semi-regular basis to remind us that they still exist.”

“When was the last time an asarakam attacked humans?” Sabela presses curtly, demonstrating the complete exhaustion of whatever patience she came into this conversation still possessing.

“They attack our facilities, when they can find them,” Waverly answers.

“And when was the last time they attacked anyone un-provoked?”
>1/2

>>6132639
“It’s been at least a half century,” Waverly tells you.

>So that means other than ‘dealing’ with you, the asarakam… leave humanity alone?
>Then your organization should dismantle. Simple as that. We don’t kneed you.
>There HAS to be something else. Why is your organization really fighting this ‘war’?
>Other?

>>6133210
>There HAS to be something else. Why is your organization really fighting this ‘war’?

>>6133210
>>So that means other than ‘dealing’ with you, the asarakam… leave humanity alone?

>>6133210
>>There HAS to be something else. Why is your organization really fighting this ‘war’?

>>6133210
“Then it must’ve been one hell of an attack,” you growl, finding yourself somewhat annoyed. “Otherwise why would your Organization bother to keep this little war of yours going?”

“I have a question,” your mother interjects.

“This is the second time you have spoken out of turn,” Waverly observes. “Who are you to question me?”

“Noel’s mother,” Sabela insists curtly, the corners of her mouth starting to twist slightly into a smile of sorts. “The man-eater known as “True-Heart” Sabela. Tread lightly, little man.”

“She doesn’t eat people anymore,” you shrug, “but she’s also not bound by our rules – and she can tell if you’re lying, so I’d go ahead and answer whatever question she asks you.”

Waverly seems not to appreciate the way that Sabela is looking at him, and so he nods to agree.

“At any point,” Sabela asks, “has your Organization determined why the war between humans and asarakam occurred in the first place?”

“It was a fundamental incompatibility,” Waverly insists curtly. “Our ancestors wished to survive. The asarakam did not wish to share resources with them.”

“That is a lie,” Sabela replies, “though you seem to believe it whole-heartedly. Let me now ask the second question – which side made the first attack?”

The general’s silence is all the answer you need.

“Humanity started the war,” you sigh, closing your eyes and resting your hand on the hilt of your sword. “And why would the asarakam have even done so? They lived predominantly underground and ate glowing mushrooms. That’s hardly a lifestyle that would bring them into competition with humans.”

“… mushrooms?” the general repeats.

“What was the first attack?” you press.
>1/2

>>6135889
“I don’t know.”

You glance at Sabela, who nods. “True.”

“You suspect this first attack was against the food supply?” you guess your mother’s mind.

“I do. It would make sense, don’t you agree?”

Actually, it makes perfect sense. “If your intention was to wipe your enemy out, then yes.”

You return your attention to the general.

>Order him to disarm his remaining soldiers, and dismiss them. This is non-negotiable.
>You’ll need his help, and his men, in dealing with the garrison on Lavinia.
>Other?

>>6135921
>You’ll need his help, and his men, in dealing with the garrison on Lavinia.

>>6135921
>You’ll need his help, and his men, in dealing with the garrison on Lavinia.

>>6135921
>>You’ll need his help, and his men, in dealing with the garrison on Lavinia.

>>6135921
>>You’ll need his help, and his men, in dealing with the garrison on Lavinia.

>>6135921
“We’ll need your men, and any ships you may have that are still serviceable,” you decide. “You’re going to help put things right here, first and foremost. Then we’ll concern ourselves with events on the continent.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then you’ll be sent back to the continent,” you shrug, “where I trust you can explain to the asarakam what you’ve been up to out here all these centuries. Assuming they don’t intercept you at sea, that is.”
>3d10 best of three

Rolled 1, 8, 5 = 14 (3d10)

>>6136488

Rolled 6, 4, 4 = 14 (3d10)

>>6136488

Rolled 3, 7, 3 = 13 (3d10)

>>6136488

>>6136488
“Compared to being shot by our own compatriots I think most of my subordinates would prefer to take their chances.”

“That’s fine,” you shrug. “It’s a completely valid position to take, even though I disagree with it.”

“I also disagree with it,” Waverly admits, “which is why I plan to assist you along with however many of my subordinates decide to stay.”

…


The answer is more than you thought at first, but fewer than would have been nice.

Fully two thirds of the surviving soldiers who had been holding out here chose to flee, when given the opportunity by their commanding officer. And that of course makes things more difficult for your side, since those men and women will need transportation and sufficient supplies – otherwise offering them the opportunity to leave would have been pointless.

It takes two days to fully disarm those who are leaving and to replenish the ships they’ll be leaving aboard. Most of these are relatively small cargo ships, not meant for speed or comfort but with plenty of space and buoyancy to carry people, food, and clean water.

What’s left is mainly a store of munitions including automatic rifles and mortars, shells for shipboard rifled cannons, and fuel. To carry those things, you’re left with three steam-powered ships – one of which, by design, carries no weapons. That will be useful as a troop-carrier. There are also two small armed warships, lighter in construction than the ‘cruisers’, which the General calls “River-class corvettes” – their names are Ravi and Teshio. Each carries four guns on single mounts with heavy metal shields, one fore, one aft, and two straddling the main funnel amidships. Ammunition for those weapons is somewhat depleted, with about thirty rounds remaining for each where the General tells you the norm would be eighty on hand.
>1/2

>>6137537
Three ships… two armed, one not. Volunteers, both from your own military services and those still following General Waverly. Limited ammunition. No idea what, precisely, you’ll end up facing once you get there. If things go badly, there will be very few directions to go but forward.

So that’s something that needs to be discussed – with General Waverly, with the officers who will lead crews for those three ships, and with the ranking Hazari Major who will be involved in what may now be the final push to remove the Organization from your homeland.

“The corvettes can’t stay in a fight,” Commander Tomaselli, the highest-ranking naval officer present, insists. “Not what they’re built for. Their only uses in a fair fight are laying smoke and making torpedo runs.”

“But once they’re in position,” you counter, “as floating batteries they’ll be very useful. So how do we get them into position?”

“The forces on Lavinia may anticipate our defeat,” Waverly grumbles. “They may not anticipate the events surrounding our engagement with the dragon or the aftermath.”

“We could also rely on saturation,” Major Cameron suggests. “Especially if we were to move in under cover of darkness, having multiple merchant ships mixed in might allow two warships to slip in close enough for torpedoes.”

“That would be a gamble,” Tomaselli admits, “but it could work.”

“That would commit us to facing opposition,” Waverly points out.

Maybe. It’s not strictly speaking true of course, as you needed to rely on merchant ships to evacuate the final ‘loyalists’. But you doubt the ruse would hold up under scrutiny, and once the truth was revealed the presence of additional ships would probably not cause any real confusion among your enemy’s gunners the way a similar formation would if brought in unannounced and in the dark.

So in practical terms Waverly is correct. Those two strategies are mutually exclusive.

>The night-time sneak attack plan is perfectly in line with Hazari tactics and training. Merchant ships should be plentiful in Sakia as well.
>Waverly’s plan will work. If we came in under darkness, that could even disguise the tracks from the torpedo launches.
>We’ve snuck onto Lavinia before. Moving mortar crews overland and attacking in sync with a torpedo run could provide a crushing advantage.
>Other?

>>6137537
>>Waverly’s plan will work. If we came in under darkness, that could even disguise the tracks from the torpedo launches.

>>6138899
>Waverly’s plan will work. If we came in under darkness, that could even disguise the tracks from the torpedo launches.

>>6138899
>>Waverly’s plan will work. If we came in under darkness, that could even disguise the tracks from the torpedo launches.

>>6138899
>3d10 best of four

Rolled 6, 5, 10 = 21 (3d10)

>>6139798

Rolled 10, 5, 5 = 20 (3d10)

>>6139798

Rolled 1, 3, 3 = 7 (3d10)

>>6139798

Rolled 1, 1, 9 = 11 (3d10)

>>6139798

>>6139798
“Waverly’s plan will work,” you decide. “But it will work better if the arrival time is after dark – less chance that the other side sees something they take an immediate dislike to, and the night might even hide the tracks of a torpedo.”

General Waverly takes a few thoughtful moments to consider these modifications to his own plan. “It feels strange to be seriously contemplating firing on others of my own faction.”

“Are you having second thoughts?” Sabela questions him… though the combative attitude she had before when confronting the general has given way to curiosity. “It wouldn’t be unusual for a man in your position.”

Waverly offers a curt nod. “Yes, it does bother me.”

“I would be bothered if it didn’t,” you admit. “Why did you decide to help us?”

The general takes a few moments before he answers. “Because I began to wonder whether the soldiers under my command – and the people we believed ourselves to be fighting for – wouldn’t be better off if we brought this long conflict to a close.”

“Those doubts are like a bell – you can’t un-ring a bell, and you can’t completely erase a doubt.”

“It probably doesn’t hurt that you owe us your soldiers’ lives,” Sabela adds.

“Certainly not,” the general agrees. “In any event, we will see whether my judgment let me to make the correct call.”

“With that decided,” Cameron speaks up, “that leaves the question of how we wish to deploy our infantry.”

>Only after the two corvettes have taken up a position. Then the infantry can land on smaller boats with supporting fire.
>They can be landed first, outside the harbor. Take up a position from which they can launch a well-timed attack.
>Other?

>>6140621
>>They can be landed first, outside the harbor. Take up a position from which they can launch a well-timed attack.

>>6140621
>They can be landed first, outside the harbor. Take up a position from which they can launch a well-timed attack.
By the way, is there an egress plan in case the operation is botched?

>>6140621
>>Only after the two corvettes have taken up a position. Then the infantry can land on smaller boats with supporting fire.

>>6140621
>3d10 best of three

Rolled 3, 5, 1 = 9 (3d10)

>>6141058

Rolled 2, 7, 2 = 11 (3d10)

>>6141058

Rolled 3, 8, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>6141058

>>6141058
“We can land them outside the harbor, so that they can take up positions,” you propose. “The mortars from land and artillery from the sea should catch the troops stationed there between a hammer and anvil.”

“That might force those troops to surrender more quickly,” Waverly nods in approval. “It may sound harsh, but in reality it may serve all sides’ interests.”

“Certainly suits me,” Cameron agrees curtly. “They surrender or it puts us at a huge advantage, either way fewer of my men get killed so I like it.”

“Which leaves us with one question,” Sabela muses. “What role should the silver-eyed warriors and awakened beings play?”

>We will lead the charge on land. That’s where we’re at our best.
>We can slip in ahead of the advance to mark targets and disable any artillery.
>We’ve proven capable as swimmers. That could be a way to cause some chaos.
>We shouldn’t serve a ‘role’ at all. At least, not on the front lines.
>Other?

>>6142342
>We’ve proven capable as swimmers. That could be a way to cause some chaos.

>>6142342
>>We’ve proven capable as swimmers. That could be a way to cause some chaos.

>>6142342
>>We can slip in ahead of the advance to mark targets and disable any artillery.

>>6142342
>We can slip in ahead of the advance to mark targets and disable any artillery.

>>6142342
>3d10 best of three

Rolled 6, 6, 10 = 22 (3d10)

>>6142884

Rolled 6, 10, 3 = 19 (3d10)

>>6142884

Rolled 1, 9, 3 = 13 (3d10)

>>6142884

>>6142884
“We have some options,” you observe with a nod. “We’re excellent swimmers even without awakening, and we’ve had a lot of success in covert missions on land.”

“What are the best-case results of each option?” your mother asks thoughtfully.

“If we were to sneak in on land?” you frown. “The objective would be to mark targets for the mortar teams and corvettes, that way they could get their fire where it needs to be faster.”

“That has a definite appeal,” Waverly nods in agreement.

Sabela merely follows up with the next logical question. “And the naval route?”

That one takes a moment to consider. “The night that we first encountered that asarakam we placed explosives against the hull of a ship to simulate a strike from a drifting mine.”

“In this case actual drifting mines would become a hazard for Tomaselli’s ships,” your mother observes. “So planting explosives would need to be the plan.”

“What would the targets be in that scenario, Tomaselli?” you ask. “Keep in mind, my kind and I are bound by the rule prohibiting us from directly taking human life.”

“That’s tough,” Tomaselli admits. “You break the spine of a ship, a lot of people are going to die. You don’t do enough damage, it won’t do anything to serve as a distraction.”

“So what would be the logical balance to strike?” you ask. “A big enough problem to serve as a distraction without killing anyone?”

“The screws and propellers are the obvious targets,” Tomaselli offers. “For larger ships with three drive shafts, blasting the centerline shaft can cause problems with the entire length of the power train – the center shaft is a maintenance nightmare under the best of circumstances.”

“And for ships with two drive shafts?”

“Set the explosive between the rudder and one of the shafts, set slightly to one side. That way the blast completely disables maneuvering.”

“We could commit to both,” Sabela observes. “It would however require complete commitment.”

>Awakened beings aren’t bound by our rules. It could be beneficial to create mixed groups for each objective in case things go badly.
>Our warriors would be better at the target identification. We could move into position and signal simultaneously without killing anyone.
>Awakened beings could make for a distraction on land even after identifying key targets. Silver-eyed warriors are fine enough as swimmers.
>Other?

>>6144015
>>Awakened beings aren’t bound by our rules. It could be beneficial to create mixed groups for each objective in case things go badly.

>>6144015
>Awakened beings aren’t bound by our rules. It could be beneficial to create mixed groups for each objective in case things go badly.

>>6144015
And one final 3d10 best of three.

I've been trying something different here - lining up all the relevant rolls and decisions before one comparatively lengthy update. So that will be what comes next.

Rolled 10, 1, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>6144537

Rolled 8, 9, 9 = 26 (3d10)

>>6144537

Rolled 8, 5, 9 = 22 (3d10)

>>6144537

>>6144537
With this campaign, there is an unusual factor – unlike almost any previous effort, there are many moving pieces which are all meant to proceed in order so as to build successes off of success. One of those things not going according to the plan would certainly be a difficulty without becoming a disaster, but just as successes are meant to build on each other within this overarching plan problems will also be likely to snowball.

The first piece to fall into place is that the barge-like troopship breaks off with her running lights covered over so that it can sail ahead at its best speed to discharge its passengers and their heavy weapons just after nightfall. That way the soldiers will have three hours to forced-march their way into position overlooking the harbor and beat the two corvettes.

Those corvettes sail at a leisurely pace with their lights running, glinting across the reasonably calm seas as they approach. Specialized lanterns above the bridge of the Teshio stand ready to communicate with any warships that happen to be standing ready in the harbor, however it’s the approach to the harbor where things will start to get even more complicated.

In order to get your warriors and awakened beings where they need to be at the time you need them there, the Teshio and Ravi need to both release their two motor launches well ahead of their arrival. That way the launches can accelerate to their maximum speed and hold there until they get close enough to the mouth of the harbor where they can cut their engines and scuttle.

…

This is where things are finally out of your hands, all except for the mission right in front of you.

Even your fellow warriors swimming along with the explosives are out of sight in the darkness, lost now behind the choppy surface of the water. While they’re setting those in the correct positions – you trust – your own team has to quickly and quietly swim further into the harbor. After floating for a little while under a wooden pier, you motion to your compatriots to scurry up a ladder out of the water and across a short open stretch of wooden planking.

Your own team consists of yourself, Serana, Zara, and Solaris, one of three teams tasked with making the landing to identify targets. Each of you carries a sword, three flares, and nothing else.
>1/?

>>6147042
You signal your first major decision.

[Zara, please stay here and mark the dock as a target.]

There may be some cargo sitting out on the pier and along the harborfront, but that’s more of a bonus. The main objective in calling down fire onto the pier is to destroy the pier itself, and to ideally render the whole harbor facility inoperable. That loss of utility would usually make your enemy less likely to want to fight to keep the territory, which you can only hope is how it works in this case.

[Yes ma’am,] Zara replies silently, settling in behind the crates and readying one of her flares. You don’t have three because you each want to mark three targets – you have three in case you find that the first one you try to use wasn’t properly waterproofed.

…

[Solaris – mark this warehouse,] you decide. [As soon as you do, you will ensure Serana and I have a clear path to the waterfront.]

Solaris nods silently.

Your plan here is simple – destroy anything currently stockpiled in this lightly-guarded warehouse building, and then Solaris will be able to put her status as an awakened being to work. The worst-case scenario in this instance is that you or Serana get stuck deeper within the port facility and end up having shells from your own forces falling on your heads, and so you’ll all be careful that the warriors and awakened beings involved in this part of your plan have established and defensible withdrawal routes.

…

Serana’s target is what looks to be some kind of transmitting equipment, located atop a small tower made from crossed metal beams. She’ll have to throw her flare from a nearby rooftop, since the target itself is better guarded than most buildings you’ve seen.

>3d10 best of three

Rolled 10, 5, 3 = 18 (3d10)

>>6148882

Rolled 3, 5, 2 = 10 (3d10)

>>6148882

Rolled 4, 5, 6 = 15 (3d10)

>>6148882

>>6148882
Your own target proves to be impossible to reach without being seen.

The target you identify is certainly worthwhile, a small stockpile of fuel that should make for a cheery fire if appropriately detonated. The problem with it is that there are far more guards surrounding that stockpile, and unlike the men defending your previous three targets these appear to be much more effectively deployed.

“Damn,” you grumble. Of all the things you’ve had to do in the last several years, waiting has always been the hardest ask – especially when you know that your comrades are hard at work with their own tasks, many of which they’re only doing because you asked it of them.

Time passes.

After what feels like an eternity, but can’t have been more than fifteen minutes, you hear two distinct series of explosions from the water (21,22) that signal the time for you and your comrades to begin the land-based operations in earnest. For a few seconds your focus is entirely on your own target, and you strike the fuse on your first flare. It works just how it’s meant to, and so you aim for the highest, most visible point near the fuel stores and toss the blazing little device.

Nothing happens at first.

You hear more cannonfire from towards the water, along with the loud screams of some of those shells streaking inland. But you can tell that the fire that’s meant to be coming from the hills nearby just hasn’t materialized (16).

In the mean time, the guards have started to open fire – blindly at first, but eventually honing in on the area from which you tossed your first flare. It quickly becomes impossible to hold that location and so you light a second flare, throwing it so that it might be more visible from out on the harbor itself, before withdrawing back towards the corridor you had Solaris keep open.

“Took you long enough!” Solaris protests. You see she’s been busy (26) – she’s even gone so far as to awaken one of her arms completely to smash the corner of a building, creating enough cover from one side to shelter you both as you cross the street to reach where Serana is already taking cover.

“Had to make sure of something,” you explain. “Let’s keep moving!”

By the time you’ve made it back to the waterfront you can see some of the damage. The pier where you climbed up out of the water is already gone which means that Zara has had to take cover elsewhere to wait for you. It’s also clear that serious damage has been done to all three of the warships you found waiting in the harbor. One of those three, a corvette like the two which are now firing on targets ashore, has even rolled over.

>Fall back to the corvettes, get yourself and your comrades out of the line of fire.
>Rally with your other comrades on the shore to coordinate your next moves.
>Head for the point where your Hazari troops and artillery were meant to be.
>Other?

>>6151088
>>Head for the point where your Hazari troops and artillery were meant to be.

>>6151088
>Head for the point where your Hazari troops and artillery were meant to be.

>>6151088
>>Head for the point where your Hazari troops and artillery were meant to be.

>>6151088
>3d10 best of three

Rolled 1, 6, 9 = 16 (3d10)

>>6151589

Rolled 1, 10, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>6151589

Rolled 4, 5, 10 = 19 (3d10)

>>6151589

>>6151589
“The artillery seems to be late,” you observe with a frown. “Something must have happened.”

[You are worried?]

You nod. “I am.”

Another round passes overhead – this one somewhat closer than many of the others – and sounds as though it hits a building near the fuel storage you highlighted. “We should stay low and move fast.”

“We could swim,” Solaris suggests.

“There’s no guarantee of an easy way out of the water on the far side of the harbor,” Zara observes.

“If we dove to the bottom I could throw you,” Solaris answers.

[We could partially-awaken,] Serana adds. [Jump out in one movement.]

“Agreed,” you decide. “We’ll go now before the enemy spots our location.”

…

You’re able to swim along the waterfront, taking advantage of the fact that you’re down below the level of the docks and moving through ink-black water in the dead of night. If anyone were actually looking for disturbances in the water you suspect they would have a difficult time spotting the wake from your passage.

When you’ve swum as close to where you want to be as possible you and Serana both dive to the bottom of the harbor some twenty feet deep, awaken your legs, and push off from the bottom. The burst of power gets you some amount of vertical clearance above the water’s surface, which is hard to tell in the dark but must be around six to ten feet. Next comes Zara, whom you catch out of the air, followed a few seconds later by Solaris.

There are a few stray shots now that streak across the water going the other direction, without much in the way of obvious success – short bursts of automatic fire leaving long bright streaks out over the water. With the enemy’s attention firmly focused on the two warships shelling them, you slip through the tangle of buildings and alleyways and into the hills just south of the harbor.
>1/2

>>6153127
It isn’t long before you begin to realize why your troops haven’t made it to the hilltop where they were supposed to conduct their shelling from – the forested hills they were meant to cross aren’t exactly devoid of enemy infantry. In fact you can see that they’ve been bogged down, and not just by a small patrol but by at least one significant column of troops and heavier weapons.

>Move in behind the enemy column, present yourselves as a distraction.
>Break through the column, damaging their equipment as you go, and join with your allies.
>Finishing the operation at the harbor may lead to a swift surrender of all your enemies including the ones facing your infantry.
>Other?

>>6153163
>>Move in behind the enemy column, present yourselves as a distraction.

>>6153163
>>Break through the column, damaging their equipment as you go, and join with your allies.

>>6153163
>Move in behind the enemy column, present yourselves as a distraction.

>>6153163
>Break through the column, damaging their equipment as you go, and join with your allies.

>>6153163
>>Break through the column, damaging their equipment as you go, and join with your allies.

>>6153163
>3d10 best of three

Rolled 3, 8, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>6153495

Rolled 8, 9, 2 = 19 (3d10)

>>6153495

Rolled 4, 9, 3 = 16 (3d10)

>>6153495

>>6153495
You begin to gesture to your companions. [Break through line, join our allies.]

The signals you get in response are all variations on confirmation and agreement. It isn’t exactly a brilliant or even somewhat clever plan on your part, it’s actually pretty straightforward. A quick breakthrough, a rally, and a coordinated counterassault would be the wishlist of any military leader in your position. But it’s also an approach that has served your silver-eyed cohort well over the years, since it leans so heavily into your unnatural abilities.

…

This time it doesn’t go as smoothly as you would have liked.

You personally take three bullets during the charge before you can blow past the enemy line, knocking over a half-dozen men and throwing a field cannon off its wheeled mount. Serana, Solaris, and Zara all have similar experiences in causing roughly similar amounts of chaos among your enemies, although Zara takes a gut wound that slows her down, and which may take some time and concentration to properly heal.

Because of that, you’re carrying her on your back by the time you reach the troops that were landed ahead of the naval assault.

“Cameron report!” you shout once you’re in cover among the granite outcroppings where the soldiers have, for the moment, halted their advance.

Major Cameron watches for a moment as you put Zara down and reach into her gut wound, fishing around for the bullet as quickly as you can do while maintaining some sense of delicacy. “We’ve stalled… that other unit may not be overwhelmingly powerful but they’re well-positioned to cover an area that’s much too open to cross without catastrophic casualties.”

“Got it,” you declare, pulling the bullet out of Zara’s gut and eliciting a slight hiss. “You can do the rest?”

“Yeah,” Zara grunts, now holding her own hand over the open wound. “Thanks for the hand.”

“Let’s try not to do that again,” you grumble, before looking up at Cameron. “Alternate routes?”

“There’s a longer way around,” Cameron responds, gesturing to the left – a little ways up this small valley they have to cross the open area is a lot narrower, maybe just a fifty yard dash in the open between the cover of the trees and taller brush. “It’ll take a while to pick a way through the outcrops though.”

True… there’s rarely a straight line path through a boulder field, and carrying mortars and other heavy weapons limits the options for each team of soldiers to take.

>Split our efforts. The mortar crews stay here and fire while infantry flank the enemy position.
>We need to get those mortars in position, and that means moving forwards – even if slowly.
>We press the attack. I want mortars to fire on the enemy line as we advance with the infantry.
>Other?

>>6155662
>>Split our efforts. The mortar crews stay here and fire while infantry flank the enemy position.

>>6155662
>Split our efforts. The mortar crews stay here and fire while infantry flank the enemy position.

>>6155662
>Split our efforts. The mortar crews stay here and fire while infantry flank the enemy position.

>>6155662
>3d10 best of three

Rolled 9, 9, 4 = 22 (3d10)

>>6155855

Rolled 5, 4, 2 = 11 (3d10)

>>6155855

Rolled 1, 3, 4 = 8 (3d10)

>>6155855

>>6155855
“The mortar teams will move the slowest,” you decide. “In fact they probably won’t make it under fire.”

“So you…” Cameron begins, before the sound of a bullet ricocheting off a nearby rock causes him to duck instinctively. “So you wanna leave them here?”

You nod. “The mortar teams will fire from here, three rounds rolling fire. That will give the infantry a chance to move through the boulder field to our left and turn the enemy’s right flank.”

“Agreed,” Cameron replies curtly, before turning to a nearby officer. “Lieutenant, did you get all that?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. I want you out in front with that infantry maneuver. I’ll leave you to determine the best position but once you get there I want you to lay down fire.”

“Understood, sir.”

…

The mortars fall in a slow rhythm, aimed at a general area rather than specific targets. Each blast produces a bright flash and a dark plume of dirt and dust, and a few of the soldiers in the impact area are tossed around or cut down by shrapnel. But the biggest effect of course is that the ones who aren’t killed do exactly the same thing that Cameron did at first – they keep low, on instinct.

Eventually an officer downrange figures out what’s going on and orders his men to return fire, but less than half of it is aimed at your infantry as they maneuver. A few of your own soldiers fall, but most of them manage to reach the edge of the outcrops. The first ones there hunker down and start to fire on your enemy, and the ones who are following behind them cross the open ground and reach the opposite side of the valley.

Next the mortar teams that have finished firing their three rounds follow, even as the other mortar teams continue to fire.
>1/2

>>6157888
You and your cohort escort the mortar teams as best you can, since now that the secret is out there’s no reason not to commit to doing so. One man a little bit in front of you takes a bullet that you never see in the dark, and after stooping to check on him you take the two mortar rounds he had been carrying and complete his task.

“I’m taking over,” Cameron declares, having discovered that the lieutenant he sent to lead the infantry was killed trying to cross the open gap at the head of the valley. You pass the ammunition you picked up to the nearest mortar crew.

>The mortar crews need to maneuver into position to join the attack on the harbor. Infantry will screen them as they advance.
>The mortar crews should move up alone, the infantry will counter-attack the enemy force we found here and eliminate it.
>We’ll all move into position and set up a defensive perimeter there. This enemy force may pursue us if they dare.
>Other?

>>6158023
>>The mortar crews need to maneuver into position to join the attack on the harbor. Infantry will screen them as they advance.

>>6158023
>The mortar crews need to maneuver into position to join the attack on the harbor. Infantry will screen them as they advance.

>>6158023
>The mortar crews need to maneuver into position to join the attack on the harbor. Infantry will screen them as they advance.

>>6158023
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 9, 8, 1 = 18 (3d10)

>>6158502

Rolled 3, 2, 5 = 10 (3d10)

>>6158502

Rolled 9, 4, 5 = 18 (3d10)

>>6158502

>>6158502
“The mortar crews need to get into position as quickly as possible,” you declare to Cameron. “The infantry are to ensure that happens. I leave the particulars to you.”

…

The infantry deploy according to Cameron’s instincts – your own cohort take the lead, ensuring that the path taken by the mortar teams will not lead them directly into a second pocket of enemy troops, and riflemen at the head of the formation ensure that if you do send a signal telling them to expect trouble the first thing to meet the enemy will be a force of men able to shoot back.

Most of your infantry however maintain their current position for much longer, firing on the enemy soldiers you already know are out here with you. A few of them at a time withdraw into a new position further towards the ridgeline from which you intended the mortars to fire, and then those men turn to offer protection to the men who must now also fall back to join them. In this manner, your forces can withdraw away from your enemy without ever letting up the gunfire that has so far kept that enemy in check.

There are some casualties of course, that much is to be expected. But they number fewer than you had feared when you first stumbled into this situation, and soon enough the mortars are able to launch their rounds out and onto the port facilities around which a resistance effort has been organized.

[It appears the ships succeeded,] Serana observes from this new vantage point. The light dancing across the water makes it a bit easier to determine what has happened – the corvettes’ attack and the actions of your other teams of warriors have met with remarkable success, and the enemy warships best-prepared to counter your assault have been taken out of the battle entirely. Fires have broken out in places, and one ship seems to have been abandoned to them and is taking on water.

>There are a few spots where the enemy is mounting a counter-barrage against the corvettes. Hit those with mortars.
>No victory is complete until the defeated acknowledge it. Go down to face your enemy and convince them yourself.
>Just fire freely until the mortars are out of rounds, then prepare to assault the harbor with your remaining infantry.
>Other?

>>6160849
>There are a few spots where the enemy is mounting a counter-barrage against the corvettes. Hit those with mortars.

>>6160849
>There are a few spots where the enemy is mounting a counter-barrage against the corvettes. Hit those with mortars.

>>6160849
>>There are a few spots where the enemy is mounting a counter-barrage against the corvettes. Hit those with mortars.

>>6160849
>>There are a few spots where the enemy is mounting a counter-barrage against the corvettes. Hit those with mortars.