[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NDKY1ph.jpg[/img][/center] February 23rd, 1901 Major General Kraft Styke crouched behind the rocky hills that overlooked Smedeholm, quietly observing the Imperium's legion as they began to form up for the assault. A order straight from Adron had ordered him to hold the city and prevent the two legions trapped within the nation from breaking through the Adrean. An audacious task, even for a member of Adron’s military cabinet. Regardless, the 12th Infantry Division and 6th Cavalry Brigade was to hold the line, and hold the line Styke would do. The morning fog had finally began to lift and Styke hoped his special “preparations” hadn’t been noticed. Flanking to his left and right sat two companies of infantry, lightly dug in along the ridge with some hastily dug earthworks and barbed wire. It was a hasty job to be sure, but one that would have to do. Styke pulled himself up from his little observation point, and began to make his way down the line when a Valkyrian messenger swooped in. “Sir!” she said, snapping a quick salute before handing him a letter. “Report from Colonel Olaf of the 6th Cavalry. He’s in position and ready to strike upon your signal!” Syke nodded to the messenger. “Thank you corporal, take your position accordingly and good luck.” The messenger gave another salute and then took off down the line. By noon, the attack began. Imperial legion infantry began to charge towards the hills… Major General Bacseri Nartheh peered through his binoculars at the attack. It was finally noon, the sun clearing away the last of the morning fog, giving Nartheh a more clear picture. As he could tell, his scout’s report hadn’t changed. The enemy forces were dug in on the ridge line outside the city. He watched as the third wave finally began to reach the earthworks and machine guns to overwhelm the enemy. As expected, this battle would be over before the day was out. General Nartheh lamented wasting such good soldiers both of his and the Avalians. They had proven themselves well overseas in the New World and Kitigawa, but now it seemed they aimed their bayonets at the Imperium itself. Shaking his head, he gestured to his entourage. “Prepare to form up for the final assault, I intend to lead this one personally. Let's end this and unite with the loyalists to the north.” Soon Nartheh was among his men, trudging up the hill, watching the enemy Avalians begin to fall back from their line. “Forward men! To me, to me! We mustn't let the traitors of the Imperium escape!” He called, pistol high, and began to follow after his men over the line. Nimbly, he hopped over the earthwork, seeing the fleeing Avalian infantry before him. He glanced down his left and right and suddenly noticed something odd. Few Avalian casualties lay on the defensive line… and the machine guns were… Nartheh’s blood suddenly went cold. He turned again to face the Avalian infantry fleeing down the hill as his troops followed them into the open. Suddenly, those fleeing troops dropped down, disappearing briefly, only to reveal what he realized to late. A sad smile crossed his face. “Well done…” he whispered... “MEN READY! OPEN FIRE!” Syke yelled, firing a flare into the air and blowing his whistle. At his command, his second, hidden line popped up from behind the berm and opened fire at the Imperium infantry suddenly caught in the open. Machine guns rattled and bolt action rifles barked over the screams of the dying men before them. Some Imperium soldiers threw down their weapons and begin to run back while others still charged courageously in vain. Upon the second whistle blow, Avalian soldiers suddenly climbed up from their concealed positions and charged forward, bayonets lowered. Soon they were standing back at their original position, seeing the enemy retreating back down the hill. Syke waited, his breath held. Suddenly, the Avalian 6th Cavalry rushed in from the rear, their movements concealed by the earlier days fog. Several brutal volleys came from them as they neared the Imperium Legion’s rear, before stowing their lever action carbines and drawing their swords. The Imperium Legion attempted a desperate defense as their reserve forces quickly began to reform in the direction of the cavalry. Too late. Between the cavalry at their rear and the company of infantry flooding down at their front, they were soon crushed in the middle… An hour later, the battle of Helna Heights was over. Walking through the smoke covered fields, Styke eyed the bodies of Avalians and Imperium alike. While his ruse had worked and his counter charge a success, he could tell before he read the report in front of him this had not been a easy victory. However, he did allow himself a sigh of relief at his good fortune paying off in this gamble. Had his calvary been discovered or his enemy’s scouts had gotten close, this battle would have been far from over. --- February, 1901 The northern city of Adrean. Lucas pulled his wide brimmed hat down as he passed a group of royalist troops. The streets of central Adrean bustled with activity reinforcements and supplies to to the not so distant barricades that surrounded the central city. The forces had made great progress with the help of the local King’s Guard, but the partisans and republican police force was putting up a bitter last stand in lower industrial quadrant near the river. From what he could gather, they were evacuating the citizens who wanted to swear allegiance to this upstart republic, and Lady Bennick had every intention of returning Adron the favor and dropping these upstart’s heads in baskets. Sighing, Lucas ducked into an alleyway, following it to a back door. Pausing for a moment, he entered. The room was musty and dimly lit by the light seeping in from the boarded up windows. A man facing away from Lucas sat at the abandoned bar near the far end of the room while two other men quietly smoked at a table. “You’re late, Crown.” The voice came from the man at the bar, still facing away from Lucas. “Sorry, Hammer, the fighting picked up right as I crossed back over the line. Nobody told me the attack schedule had changed.” Lucas replied casually, though his tone betrayed his annoyance. Hammer snorted and waved his hand dismissively. “You know as well as I do how zealous the King’s Guard can be when dealing with traitors. Speaking of, your assignment. Do we have that bastard yet? Lady Bennick is growing impatient.” Lucas starred hard at his feet, his hands clenched tightly into fists. “No, the Ghost of the Sky alluded our trap again. We lost Shovel and Hoe during the raid. The Gho-” “Don’t speak that bastard’s fancy title again here. Oscar Howler is a murderer and a traitor, no more no less.” Hammer interrupted as he finally turned to face Lucas. Hammer’s hard, menacing gaze rested on Lucas, causing him to shift uncomfortably before he could stop himself. “We have our names to protect ourselves. Hammer, Crown, Shovel, Hoe, Axe, we call ourselves these things to confuse our enemies and tell our friends all they need to know about us. Oscar murders three officers, ten loyal officials, and nearly takes our lady’s head off without even being seen half the fucking time, and thus, gets a fancy, romantic name from the locals like he’s some vengeful fucking angel of death!” Hammer now got up out of his seat, addressing the rest of the men and women in the room. “No. He is a Valkyrian, pure and fucking simple who can pull of good shots. This does not make him a ghost, a god, or anything else! It only makes him a traitor, and like the rest of these traitors, it’s our job to make sure his head is in a basket before this war ends.” Hammer’s gaze returned to Lucas. “Take Wrench and Pickaxe and start shadowing the bastard again.” Lucas nodded, “Yes sir. I will see to it.” Suddenly, Hammer crossed the room in two great strides and was suddenly face to face with Lucas. Leaning in, Hammer said quietly. “Don’t fuck this up, boy, or all of our heads will be in baskets.”