Operation story: 14-5

Operation

Story

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Characters
Hoederer W W Ines Ascalon Millscar Ulšulah ??? Nervous Soldier Unhappy Soldier/Terrified Soldier W Squad Member Terrifying Monster Hornless Sarkaz Crane
Backgrounds
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Before operation

Summary W, Hoederer, and the others defend the Lifebone crash site, but W's mercenaries vanish in the unfamiliar environment. While searching for them, W and her team are attacked by strange monsters.
Abandoned Mansion, Londinium Outskirts
<Background 1>
Nervous Soldier	Is she back?
Unhappy Soldier	Not yet.
Nervous Soldier	Damn, it was hard enough dodging those devils. How did she survive and even find us— How the heck did she know that I did business with the devils?
Unhappy Soldier	Well, consider that business deal lost.
Nervous Soldier	What about you? How'd she get you?
Unhappy Soldier	She held a crossbow to my head. I knew her from before. She didn't used to be so—
[A crossbow's string's pull backwards.]
???	Didn't used to be so what? Go on.
Unhappy Soldier	Er, no, I didn't—
The soldier, who has served the dukes all his life, lies on the ground, a crossbow pointed at his forehead. The voice of the one holding the crossbow is cold as ice.
???	I'm waiting.
Terrified Soldier	I just—s-sorry, Millscar! I-I shouldn't have— Aaaahh!
The bolt pierces his ear.
Millscar	Some people punch holes in their pets' ears as a sign of ownership. A man is not a pet, of course... but sometimes they're not so different, are they?
Terrified Soldier	I...
Millscar	Now get back up and give me a status report. Have you done what I've asked of you?
[The soldier scrambles to stand upright.]
Terrified Soldier	Y-Yes, ma'am! W-well, the reception at the monitoring station was really bad, so even though we tried to gather as much information as possible—
Millscar	Skip to the conclusion.
Terrified Soldier	Based on what little information the Trilby Asher left behind, and the occasional intercepted comms, we can confirm that a unit called "the Exemplars" has been formed, and its leader is most likely the one you spoke of... "Vina". They seem to be headed for the front at Silverrock Bluffs.
Millscar	Silverrock Bluffs. They're really staying in this war. Keep at it. Notify me of any new developments.
Terrified Soldier	Y-Yes, ma'am!
<Background fades out>
[Millscar steps away.]
Millscar	—Phew. Well, this is easier than expected. I thought it would be tougher. No scruples. No acts to put up. I found Victoria.
[Steam hisses loudly.]
A red light flashes a few times in the deep shadows.
Millscar	Isn't it your job to protect her?
<Background Black>
Forty-three hours into the operation...
<Background 2>
Ulšulah	I knew you would come.
[Hoederer walks towards her.]
Hoederer	...Ulšulah.
[Ulšulah clinks the chains binding her wrists.]
Ulšulah	That mad bomber W came once to set up this prison. Ines came twice to show "compassion". Same old Ines, always a tad slow with her retort when she's focused on someone else's shadow. Now, it's you. What have you come to say?
Hoederer	Have you thought it over?
Ulšulah	That's my line. Your situation is perilous. Your only vehicle lies disabled. As the pilot, I'm very likely to know something that you don't, and probably am waiting for the right time to strike. Really, you should kill me, Hoederer.
Hoederer	I would rather you helped us with what you know.
Ulšulah	In your dreams. I already turned you down once. You give me too little credit if you think I would change my mind just because I'm a prisoner.
Hoederer	Three times.
Ulšulah	What?
Hoederer	You saved our lives three times back in Kazdel. My life once, Ines's life twice.
Ulšulah	You wrote all that in your diary?
Hoederer	Name your price. I'll do my best to pay it.
Ulšulah	You'll go bankrupt if you quit the mercenary life to open a business.
Hoederer	I just want as many Sarkaz to make it back to Kazdel alive as possible.
Ulšulah	Such grand ambitions. But enough chitchat. Let the old rules of Scar Market lie buried beneath Kazdel. Our debt is settled. One last warning, Hoederer. Kill me now, or you'll regret it.
Hoederer	Did it ever occur to you that we both want the same thing—
Ulšulah	Enough of your righteous crap. Don't try to buy my life with your flowery words, old friend. They're not much better than money. A mercenary takes no sides. But you and I aren't really mercenaries anymore.
<Background 3>
W	Wanna bet, Ines? Hoederer's gonna try talking Ulšulah into helping for old time's sake at Scar Market. Ulšulah's gonna tell him to just get it over with, and Hoederer's gonna come back with a long face.
Ines	What's the wager?
W	That's it? I figured you'd be jealous with the two of them all alone in a room together.
Ines	...W.
W	Stop trying to read my shadow, Ines. I'm not in the mood. The bunny and the Victorian have been gone for a while... wonder how things are going out there. Bonesy is still playing dead, and Theresis's Catastrophe refuses to go away. Who knows, maybe Manfred's gonna just pop out of nowhere. I could have blown Theresis up right then and there!
Ines	I know you're restless because of Theresa, but hold that fuse for a moment. We have a lot of prep work to do.
W	*Sarkaz swearing*! Who said I was—
[One of W's mercenaries run towards her.]
W Squad Member	We've got a problem, W...
W	Out with it.
W Squad Member	It's time for a shift change, but not all our scouts came back. Crane's team went off to the north side of the canyon, and we can't reach them.
W	Don't tell me they ran into a decent enemy caster.
Ines	When was your last communication?
W Squad Member	Almost three hours ago.
Ines	If our enemy could make an entire merc squad disappear without a sound, they would've been on top of us by now. The most important thing to do at the moment is keep the Lifebone safe.
W	We're just gonna sit here when we know something's going on outside?
Ascalon	I agree with Ines. We know nothing about this place. The safest course of action is to concentrate our forces.
W	Cut the crap. My men are missing. I want to know why. If they got lost, I'll bring them back. If somebody did them in, I'll return the favor.
Ines	Calm down! This could be a trap to split us up—
W	I don't like playing defense. Even if it's a trap, I'll just blast them out of hiding. Give me half a day. If I don't come back, that means I'm up against a real nasty piece of work. Don't come after me, get your defenses ready. If you get a call from Amiya, don't wait for me, just activate the Lifebone. I'll take my own squad. No need to bother anyone else. You lot. Grab your weapons and follow me.
<Background 4>
[W and her squad march into a cavern.]
W	Is this where they went?
W Squad Member	Should be. This cave was all we saw when we went north into the canyon. We don't know what's inside. Hidden passage? The court's secret cache?
W	If this was a secret base of the Royal Court, we'd have had a couple hundred Vampires and Nachzehrers on our asses the moment we fell in here. Based on Closure's intel, we're in the hills to the west of Londinium, a good distance from the main battlefield where those old farts are. Somehow, though, I smell... (sniffs) The old, moldy stench from someone who's been here for ages. I don't like old stuff, but I'm sure Hoederer would love it.
[W kicks a few rocks.]
W	Let me guess. What enemy did our lucky winners run into?
W Squad Member	W, when did you use your bombs?
W	You delusional? Did you see me use them on our way here?
W Squad Member	Then what are these burn marks on the wall?
W	Huh...? Strange. No sign of Arts, but how do you leave marks like these on stone, then?
W Squad Member	Did you hear that?!
W	What is it this time?
W Squad Member	It's the sound of someone striking iron... there's somebody here!
[W looks around, but there is no noise.]
W	You're just hearing things. Stop spooking yourself. Nobody's here.
W Squad Member	Do we keep going, W? I have a bad feeling about this.
W	Of course. Why do you think we're here? That's top-grade gear you all are using. I'm not rich enough to just let them rot in some cave.
W Squad Member	Have you heard the Sarkaz legend... before Qui'lon was even born, the Sarkaz and a red dragon—
W	Shut up. One historian in Hoederer is enough. Say anymore, and I'll throw you to the front— —!
W Squad Member	What is it?
W	Blood... but not Sarkaz. It's fresh— Get ready to fight!
[A massive creature suddenly plows through the rock walls.]
???	*Roar*—!

After operation

Summary After defeating the strange monsters with her mercenaries, W enters the Confessarius ruins alone. Meanwhile, a captured Ulšulah finds an opportunity and escapes from Hoederer.
<Background 4>
[W and her squad continuously barrage the monster with bombs and crossbow bolts.]
Terrifying Monster	(Strange howl)
W Squad Member	Our weapons don't work! This thing just won't die!
W	Aim for its head! We'll see how many hits it can take!
W Squad Member	It's too fast! We can't hit it! Draw its attention! I'll try to hit it from behind!
[The squad continue firing more bolts at the monster to distract it.]
The mercenary attempts to go around the monster, but one swing of its tail sends him slamming into a rock wall. None of the attacks seem to have caused any real damage. It flaps its wings, and scorching winds engulf the cave, making the air even thinner. The ground quakes, and spikes erupt from under the earth, hurtling towards everyone.
W	Shut up... I said shut it, you short-legged moth!
[W throws her bombs at the monster.]
Terrifying Monster	(Song-like cry)
The monster immediately locks onto where the damage came from, surprisingly agile for its size. In the brief time it takes W to reload, the monster has already closed the distance, its fangs nearly grazing her face.
W	I don't know how you got that ugly mug... But you'll need a bigger one to eat me! Chew on this instead, sucker!
[W tosses a grenade right into its face. It explodes and the monster collapses.]
W Squad Member	*pant*... *pant*... Is it... dead?
W	Hard to live with a big hole in its face, eh?
W Squad Member	A-Are you okay?
W	I've always been good at blast control.
W Squad Member	I got a theory, W. There might just be a lost Sarkaz Court called bomb fiend or something, and you're its last princess.
W	Ha-ha. Very funny.
W Squad Member	But what the hell is this? Doesn't look like any animal I've ever seen. I heard that some of those Columbian crazies sew parts of different animals together. Maybe this is their doing?
W	Unfortunately, I know a bunch of Sarkaz crazies who do the same thing. (Under her breath) It reeks of witchcraft. Confessarius monsters? Why out here in the middle of nowhere? Them being here is no coincidence. There must be something else in the cave.
W Squad Member	Did... did this thing eat our guys?
W	The only way to find out is to cut it open. We're sure it's dead, right?
[Just then, even more monsters appear, roaring at them.]
W	Damn, this thing had friends?
W Squad Member	They've blocked the entrance! What do we do?
W	Run!
<Background fades out>
Forty-eight hours into the operation...
<Background 2>
Ulšulah	What time is it?
Hoederer	Would it mean anything to you?
Ulšulah	Call it a professional habit. I feel better when I know what time it is.
Hoederer	6 PM. Two days since we crashed into the canyon.
Ulšulah	Two days... Enough to do a lot of things. Do you remember, Hoederer? The three of us were on a mission to steal a Sargonian Pasha's treasure. We got the treasure, but also a hundred or so people on our tails. We hid in a cave for two whole days. We were starving but were too afraid to light a fire or leave.
Hoederer	It was Ines who stitched your wounds up. You wouldn't have made it otherwise.
Ulšulah	Ha. I said, the sun's almost up. Just let me bathe in the sun for a little bit, and I'll feel much better.
Hoederer	I must have stopped you. There were enemies outside. We couldn't risk exposing ourselves.
Ulšulah	No, you didn't stop me. Ines teased me. She found it hilarious that a Scar Market merc would miss the sun.
Hoederer	Sure, the Scar Market is under Kazdel and never sees the sun.
Ulšulah	I became the pilot of this skeleton when I joined the Military Commission's staff as a major. When I took the young ones back and forth between Kazdel and Londinium, it was like we had outrun the sun. I can't go back. None of the Sarkaz can.
<Background shakes>
Hoederer	...Ulšulah? What's going on—
Ulšulah	They're here.
Hoederer	The skeleton is moving?
<Background shakes>
For a moment, the Feranmut's skeleton seems to be moving, but Hoederer soon realizes it was not the nerve clusters or bones that are moving.
Hoederer	...Nails.
Ulšulah	The ship and pilot have always been one.
Lifebone is never merely composed of the Feranmut's skeletons. Rows of long nails are affixed to the massive frame, assembling it into a transport ship. One of them, infused with her Arts, pierces through the critical section of the spinal column. She and the skeleton have always linked by witchcraft.
Ulšulah	The Arts of the Royal Court's casters have connected to the skeleton. I can sense it. No need to be anxious. It's not going to wake up yet. But this little bit of connection, and what remains of the Feranmut's powers on this nail, are enough for me to get out of here. This nail belongs to me. It's linked to my bones. I'm taking it with me. What happens when a Feranmut's powers are applied directly to the human body? It's not so bad to cut loose once in a while, just like the old days.
<Background shakes>
Hoederer	The spine is cracking... No!
Ulšulah	I told you, Hoederer, that you'll regret not killing me. Or would you say that this is just another inevitable chapter of history?
Hoederer thrusts his giant sword into the space of the missing nail, barely in time to hold the critical section in place. But even this fleeting moment is enough for his prisoner to escape her chains. Ulšulah leaps through a crack in the ribs, disappearing into the fire along with bone and damaged nerve tissue.
Hoederer	Ulšulah!
Ulšulah	Ulšulah... the hero drifting among the shards of history, always trying to save others. Have I ever told you that the name suits you better?
[W and her squad run deeper into the cavern.]
Terrifying Monster	(Angry roar)
W Squad Member	How many of them are there?!
<Background 5>
[The group stop in their tracks.]
W Squad Member	It's a dead end ahead!
W	I wasn't planning to escape from the front; I just needed space for my bombs— Get down!
[W detonates her bombs, triggering the ceiling to collapse onto them.]
W Squad Member	Are... are they dead?
W	Let's hope the rocks I brought down were enough to crush their skulls.
W Squad Member	What are they doing here? Are they protecting something?
W	How am I supposed to know? Do you seriously believe I can talk to monsters?
W Squad Member	Ahem... so, I guess we really did find something incredible? It's too bad Crane's team got eaten by these things.
Crane	...Not all of us.
W	You're alive! What the hell happened?
Crane	We found a cave on patrol and decided to check it for any potential secret passages. That's when we ran into those monsters. Tire, Buckler, and Nut got eaten. The rest of us ran for our lives. For some reason, the monsters wouldn't come this way, but we couldn't get out either, so we were stuck here, until you showed up.
W	Bloody hell. I'll skin those things and have Ines make clothes out of them. What did you find inside?
Crane	Not much. I've left markers on the way if you want to see for yourself. Go that way, pass a few masked bodies, then take the right fork.
W	Masked bodies?
Crane	A few skeletons that have been there for years. Must have run away from Londinium a few years ago. The strange thing is... they all cut their own horns off.
W	Masked bodies? Severed horns?
Crane	Their heads were all wrapped up. Maybe some tribal tradition?
W	... Shit! Either you're going crazy, or I am.
Crane	Old enemies? Don't worry, they're very dead—
W	Take me there, now!
<Background fades out and in>
Crane	This is the place.
W	...
Crane	What's the matter, W? I've never seen you like this before.
W	Shut up.
Several bodies lean against the wall. W bends down and examines them meticulously.
Crane	There's nothing left but bones. All death by severe injuries, no question about that. Looks like someone tended to their bodies after death, maybe their friends. But it's been years, judging by the dust. There's a small altar in the corner. No sign of witchcraft, so I think it's purely for memorial purposes.
W	Are these all of them? Why... why would these assassins be here? Only these? No others?
Crane	What do you mean? Are there supposed to be others?
[W rushes off without an explanation.]
Crane	W! Hey, W! What is it this time? What's going on? Assassins? She said these were assassins?
<Background fades out and in>
[W slows down and stops.]
W	*pant*... *pant*...
Crane	W! Wait up! We checked the surrounding areas. There's nothing else suspicious—
W	I recognize their outfits. These traitors... they should all have been dead by now! If they're here, that means— No... No, this can't be! That's ridiculous!
W Squad Member	W, I heard that Her Highness Theresa's body... was stolen from Babel.
W	Don't ask me! How am I supposed to know?
W Squad Member	The next time Theresa appeared after the attack on Babel was in Londinium. We're close to Londinium.
W	Shut up! I know that. I... ...
W Squad Member	What do we do now? Should we...
W	Go back and tell Ines to be on maximum alert. She'll take care of the rest. As for me... hmph. I'm going to clean up loose ends.
<Flashback starts here>
<Background 6>
[W clashes against a Deathveil Assassin.]
Hornless Sarkaz	This is meaningless, mercenary. I see no reason for us to fight. The war is over! Whether we live or die is inconsequential to this outcome!
W	You don't get to talk about meaning! Her blood is still on your hands! You, and your accomplices, anyone still alive. I'll find all of you. You can run and you can hide, but I'll find you, and tear you apart, bone by bone.
Hornless Sarkaz	I know my sins better than anyone! I would have ended my own life, even if I hadn't run into you today! Go on, do it, if it quells your worthless anger. But you're too late, mercenary. You could't save her.
W	Shut the f—
[W slashes the assassin.]
<Flashback ends here>
<Background Black>
[W descends deeper into the cavern.]
I've made many mistakes in my life, but on this one thing, there's no way I could have erred. I killed all the traitors. I remember exactly how each one died, even the expressions on their faces as they went. But why did these scums die here? Kal'tsit said the Confessarii resurrected her. Why did they need a living, breathing Theresa? Is there more to it than Theresis's plans for the leadership of the Sarkaz? Theresis, Confessarii... I couldn't care less about whatever schemes you're plotting, but you desecrated someone you should never have. Which is why I'll kill you all, if it's the last thing I do!
[W stops.]
Just what the hell is this place? What's this door doing here? Out—of—my—way!
[W blasts the door open.]
<Background 7>
W	*cough* *cough*... What the heck is this?
A strange sight indeed. The narrow passage opens to a vast, shadowy cavern. Untouched by sunlight, the chilling cave is strewn with dusty weapons and armor. The space is dotted with bizarre crystals. Massive patterns, reminiscent of eerie symbols, stretch ominously from the walls down to the ground. W is overcome by an unsettling sensation, as though it is not she who gazes upon the vast underground structure, but the other way round. Clank. A blunt sound echoes through the cave. Clank. Clank. W recognizes it as the sound of bones being crushed by a heavy object.
???	Who... goes... there...?