Inside, Tidak and Oliver are just about ready to fire back. They hold their weapons tightly, the old lady’s gentle demeanor replaced by the persona of war. By the persona of the most honored captain, decorated and courageous. They took a peek through the viewports and saw nothing but the remains of their attackers. Scorch marks all over the bodies that could still be seen as bodies, the other raiders are little more than unrecognizable, smoking lumps of coal. The pair looked at each other before getting up and walking toward the exit, tailing behind them are Astrid and Dori, both with their conduits in hand.

  Astrid, upon realizing her little sister is following, stops her from taking another step.

  “No, sis, stay here.”

  “But they could use my help!” Dori replies.

  “No, the Black Host is a terrible group. I dont want you getting hurt.”

  “Big sis, we’re both elves and alchemists too! Please, I just want to help, I won't slow us down, in fact, I can speed things up with my bio-alchemy!”

  Astrid sighs. For all her worry, she couldn’t deny that Dori is a better bio-alchemist than she is. The eldest of the sisters is more of a “typical alchemist,” the type of alchemist that can transform objects into pure energy and transform it into raw power, or new objects such as metals or devices, or whatever else is needed or desired.

  She isn’t as well-versed in the matter of biology and biological manipulation as her younger sister. Unlike her, Dori specialized. She can remember the moment her mother would teach her, and eventually, Dori would become a proficient alchemist in her own right.

  No, she couldn’t think about it. Her sister must be protected. It is her sacred duty. But somewhere in the confines of her mind, she knew that Dori would simply do it anyway. How many times in their lives has she disobeyed her because of her sense of self-righteousness?

  With a sigh, Astrid replies, “Fine. But from now on, you’re sticking with me.”

  Dori’s face lit up like a decorated home during the festival of Sebirsk’s independence. Part of her smiles, while another part crushes her chest with anxiety for what she has just agreed to.

  …

  Tidak and Oliver went out first, performing a sweep of the area. There was something to be said about Granny’s method, though. The way she moved, the meticulous checking, and constant vigilance as she held her rifle, ready to shoot. It was like she had done this a thousand times over. Oliver did the same, and when it was clear that none were left, Tidak says, “Clear!”

  Just then, she spots movement to her right. She is about to call Oliver over, but from the snow-covered foliage comes the familiar ghostly form of Dromon, followed by Teuton soldiers. Oliver walks by her side shortly after. Astrid and Dori look at Dromon with curiosity.

  “You sure took your sweet time… Ah, apologies, my name is Oliver Wiking, and this is Tidak. These two are Astrid and Dori.”

  The squad leader waves at them as his men look around, “Civilians shouldn’t be here. Where did you come from? Why are you here?”

  Dori pushes her way to the front, “Mr. Soldier, sir, we came here because we’re looking for Mama! She could be in danger!”

  The worried tone of her voice catches the soldiers off guard. Dromon sighs, rubbing his eyes.

  “Let me explain, little one…”

  Dromon leans toward the man’s ear and starts to tell the confused soldier the story. Upon finishing, the sergeant’s body movements suggest a surge of surprise. He straightens himself.

  “If you’re looking for someone, then I suggest you make your way back to our base of operations and wait. We need to deal with these raiders first.”

  “Where is it?” Tidak asks.

  The sergeant is about to point in the direction of their forward operating base when he notices the military honors displayed prominently on Tidak’s chest. Instinctively, he gave the old woman a salute.

  “Good to see a veteran of the Imperial military here, may the Gods bless you, great one.”

  The sergeant then brings out a holo-map. Connecting to a live feed of the battle in the mines from scout drones.

  Tidak is quick to notice that the battle is more intense than she had initially thought.

  This is no mere skirmish; it was a full shock assault.

  It isn’t looking good; the Black Host has already battered their way into the facility, though at the cost of dozens cut down in the process as the miners fled for safety. Within its confined spaces, raiders and Imperial soldiers battle with one another. Machine guns and mortar fire from both sides turned it into a miniature hellscape.

  A squad of Teuton soldiers surges forward, supported in the back by machine guns, only to be forced into cover by Black Host technicals rocking heavy machine guns and dropping off more raiders.

  Followed shortly after by Black Host war drones.

  There can be no doubt that the Teutons are winning, but slowly. Tidak can already tell why they were here. They were here to delay. Buy enough time for others to plunder all the valuable machines and materials, perhaps take a hostage or two before fleeing.

  The textbook Black Host raid, and based on the footage of more troops getting into the battle and miners fleeing, it’ll only get worse.

  “Our FOB is located not far from here. We can take you in there on our vehicles, alongside the evacuated miners, dont worry, you won't get prosecuted.”

  ‘Ah. That’s right,’ Tidak thought. Illegal miners like these will have been put in jail for a year of jail time.

  “Once we get to the base, we can process you and help you search for this missing person. We did find an abandoned ship on this part of the planet not long ago, though I must warn you… We found no one inside.”

  Astrid steps forward.

  “Was it marked with the symbol of Sebirsk?”

  “Ja, but the electronics were shot up with bullets. From what we were able to gather, it seemed like someone made a run for it. We found footprints and some blood trails going deep into the woods, but we couldn’t find troops to follow up. This clean-up operation is taking our attention.”

  Astrid and Dori’s faces light up. They have confirmed what they had been seeking; she is alive. Their mother is among the living. The eldest covers her mouth and struggles not to cry out in relief. Dori, for her part, is exhilarated, as though all the chaos had not worn her down, and now, her will is given the motivation of the adventurous sort. “Mama, she’s out there!”

  Dori runs over to Tidak, “Granny, let’s go! Maybe these guys can help us find her faster!”

  Dori’s eyes reflect a hint of sadness, but are overwhelmed and brought low by a burning will, like a rock against the waves crashing against it.

  Against this, the Teuton forces nearby, and with her adorable begging eyes, Tidak nods, “Don’t worry, dear. Sergeant, please take us to your FOB.”

  Dori let out a loud cheer of happiness. As the young one celebrates, Dromon approaches the group.

  “Dont celebrate yet… Tidak, you all go ahead, I’ll stay here to see if the ship’s been damaged. Besides, someone needs to look after it. Call me if you need me.”

  Tidak nods. The Sergeant gestures to the group. “Follow my troops!”

  They were soon led through the old paths, disappearing into the trees.

  …

  The travel feels like an eternity has passed. Checking his watch, Oliver finds that over an hour has gone by. As he does, he spots Imperial sentries guiding their convoy; they must be close.

  The convoy of trucks is all packed full of tired and terrified miners. Some of whom are shaking in fear, others in shock, forcing their guards and medics to look after them.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  One after another, the trucks enter the reinforced Archosite walls of the base. Immediately getting swarmed by soldiers who prioritize the injured and most distressed.

  “I need a medic here!”

  “We got someone who lost his leg, get him in the medical bay!”

  “We have wounded in nearly all these trucks!”

  Astrid and Dori are helped out of their vehicle, and as they look around, they marvel at what they are seeing.

  A ring of walls, complete with automated railguns and machine gun bunkers, big enough to withstand direct fire from artillery.

  A great many prefabricated buildings house and cater to the hundreds of soldiers and many vehicles, all moving around the base and performing duties. Paved roads, complete with outlying energy cannons, guard the way in, and the heavily armed men present would put the bravest of attackers in doubt about a direct assault.

  This is no mere outpost. It is the size of a small town back in Sebirsk; this forward operating base alone is servicing countless.

  “Ah, this takes me back,” Tidak says, noticing the wonder in the siblings’ eyes.

  “Believe it or not, this is one of the smaller types, certainly nothing to the fortresses I once lived in.”

  “Is the Teuton Empire really this advanced?” Astrid asks.

  “This place puts the Serbirsk military bases to shame, automated railguns are a luxury! This place must have taken weeks to build.”

  “Actually, no,” Oliver buts in, a smile growing.

  “This forward operating base is mostly just pre-fabs dropped from orbit and assembled in hours. Everything except the walls, perhaps. But to answer your question, yes. Teutonika is very advanced. Ah, but anyway, we should meet up with the base commander, that soldier we met said that he informed the commander ahead of time.”

  Just then, amidst the crowd of shivering, troubled miners, someone approaches—a lady, an Imperial officer who looks as though she came straight out of an action movie. Cybernetic eye hiding some manner of grievous injury. The officer stops, saluting Tidak.

  “May the Gods bless you, great one. Are you the people who want to see the commander?”

  Tidak says. “Yes. We are.”

  Oliver steps up, proudly proclaiming. “Oliver Wiking, ex-Imperial military.”

  Tidak does not look impressed by the young man’s words. You shouldn't fly too close to the sun; still, Oliver seems satisfied with his proclamation.

  “Ah, I see, so both of you are ex-Imperial military. Welcome to my post.”

  The officer points to the largest building in the compound. The command post is impressive, with multiple rooms connected into one sprawling structure. Complete with all the bells and whistles.

  “The commander is over there… Be wary, though, we are still tending to the massacre.”

  “What massacre?” Oliver asks.

  “Just…” The officer looks back at them.

  “Just right up there, just passed the mess hall… The medical bay, you’ll see when you get there.”

  Astrid has a feeling of what would happen next. As Tidak and Oliver walk, she holds her sister close and covers her eyes.

  “Close your eyes,” Astrid says, looking at her sister. Dori nods, doing as she says.

  As the siblings follow, they are greeted by a most dreadful scene.

  Packed full, the medical bay is treating countless others. Different from the people they had just arrived, suggesting that they must have come from other mines. The state of these people was horrific, with deep cuts and wounds littering their bodies. Many of them had bullet wounds, and the medical bay was so much that the ever-stoic and noble janitors had to fight the puddles of crimson life force with their weapons of hygiene to prevent others from slipping.

  Moans of pain were heard, and the most serious injuries were so great that medics had to stabilize them immediately lest they die. Those with minor injuries were simply patched up and ordered to leave to make room for more.

  Oliver and Tidak were able to ignore it with no issue. Veterans of the Imperial military are like that; no amount of blood can faze them.

  But Astrid cannot look away. She doubles down her efforts to cover Dori’s eyes, even as screams of pain from patients getting treatment filled the air.

  “Big sis?”

  “It's alright! I'm here.” Astrid looks around and eventually forces her way to the front of her two companions as soon as the scene behind them is gone.

  “What happened?”

  The officer looks back.

  “The Black Host. They attacked other sites. They overran them in no time; a lot of people did make it.”

  They are getting closer. The officer knocks on the door. While waiting, she says.

  “We were sent here to get these people out of here, maybe prosecute them for illegal mining on a world beyond Imperial territory. But when we found which planet they were on, it was too late.”

  The doors open up, and they are greeted by another officer who gives a salute.

  “The commander is waiting in his office. Are these the people who need assistance?”

  “Ja. This one, Oliver, told us over the comms network that they were a bit tired, so let them dine at the Kommisariot.”

  The man nods and lets them enter. As the group is led through the hallways, Astrid lets Dori go, and almost immediately, they are overwhelmed by the activity going on in the rooms that they passed.

  Advanced machines performed calculations and tasks at remarkable speed. Attended to by dozens of other people, communications and orders are being issued out to every unit.

  “Third company, flush the raiders out, take control of that bridge.”

  “Second and third company, there’s a Black Host raider force coming your way, accompanied by technicals and tanks. Engage them.”

  “No artillery, civilians are too close. You’ll have to clear them out by storm.”

  It is all so very fascinating. Teutonika is strong and mighty, powerful and true to deploy troops so far from home. Certainly a good move on Sebirsk’s part to befriend these people, the Teutons.

  The group stops outside a small room, guarded by sentries. A quick knock on the door prompted someone inside to speak. “Yes, come in, come in.”

  With that, the group enters.

  Tidak and Oliver are the first ones inside, and the familiar smell of an officer’s fragrant office stimulated long-buried memories. The pair gives the officer a salute. He is a young man, perhaps seeing no more than a few years of service. But he stands up and gives a salute back; it has weight. Though young, he moves with purpose, the small collection of photos from campaigns past staring back at him and his new guests silently.

  An Infantry officer, no doubt. Tidak likes him already.

  Astrid and Dori come in next and mimic the salute when they see Granny and Oliver doing so. The young officer nods.

  “Greetings, may the Gods bless you and your companions, Great one. Especially Overlord Siegfried… I am Colonel Alberic. I understand you are looking for someone, yes? I have the report here, please, sit.”

  “What can you tell us?” Astrid asks as the seats are occupied.

  The officer hands them the report. Astrid took it immediately, and the siblings started to read.

  “We found a ship crashed in some wooded areas. By the time we got there, there was no one; however, we think that the crew or person might have fled somewhere in the areas north or west of the mines we cleared not long ago.”

  “You guys didn't go looking?” Dori asks, worried.

  “Regretfully, I only have enough troops to carry out this operation. However, in the time intervals between coordinating my forces, I took the liberty of looking into the person who operated it. I was rather surprised to see that she is an elf, not many elves outside of their country.”

  Alberic clears his throat.

  “When I looked into it, I narrowed down the possible search area in a valley, aptly named ‘Valley 11’ by the miners here. She couldn't have gone far if she had gone on foot, so she is likely hiding somewhere in there.”

  Astrid looks at the colonel.

  “Why is the Teuton Empire even here then? Isn’t this to save civilians? You’re already doing plenty for the miners and against the Black Host!”

  Astrid’s mood is getting the better of her. In all honesty, she couldn't control it for much longer. Frustration, fear, and anger are all wild things that predators let out after being starved. It is vicious and powerful. Fear for her mother, the worry and stress that comes with a disobedient little sister, and now, the inaction of military men.

  Noticing the anger in her, Alberic answers, “I understand your concern, fraulein. Herr Oliver and Frau Tidak told me this over the comms before you left to meet me. I have a family too… Right now, however, I’m afraid there is very little the Empire can do for you at the moment. But, I’ll tell you what I will do.”

  He points at the clock on the wall.

  “Operations are expected to last till 10 AM tomorrow. I can accommodate you here, in the base, get you stocked up with whatever I can provide, and you can search for her yourself; you have the coordinates… If my calculations are correct, I will have a full company of soldiers at your position in thirty minutes. Is this agreeable?”

  Astrid is taken by surprise at the officer’s calm and dignified response. She was expecting yelling and arguments, but instead, she was greeted by a concise explanation of the situation. Best of all, he doesn't even seem mad, just that those observant eyes were sharper than a hawk.

  Eileen. Mom. Astrid just wants to get her back, then they could maybe go back home in peace. Let others handle the situation threatening the home. But as she looks back at her behavior just now, she revolted, internally, at herself.

  Astrid blushes and takes a deep breath. Tidak answers on her behalf.

  “That would be good, Herr Alberic.”

  The colonel nods.

  “Good, good. You can sleep in the barracks with the few soldiers there. Come back to this office first thing in the morning.”

  Thus, they are one step closer to their goal.