"With the Victory at Indolass, US forces were able to secure the surrounding areas. The 1st Lance Brigade Combat Team has been deployed to Alagore to beef up security around the Bridge. Because the temple has a damaging defense deficiency, the perimeter has been extended to better defensive positions.
New security protocols have been established around the Bridge, and an investigation is underway to discover how the enemy could easily bypass our defenses. However, there is a high chance that we will never fully understand how. Current theories are that there are hidden passageways that we have not yet discovered, security failed to follow basic protocols, or a type of technology we do not understand was used. The issue is that we do not know enough about Alagore to conclude.
I have ordered the Minutemen on a recon/reach-out mission to the nearby villages while we prepare to retake Salva. We need allies who understand the region and strategic depth for our defense around Indolass." – Colonel William Hacket to Space Command
March 8th, 2069 (Military Calendar)
Hiplose Woods, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie
Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore
*****
To Mathew Ryder's annoyance, he kept glancing at the vehicle's Blue Force Tracker—a digital map program that the United States used on Earth. The issue was that the program was far less complete and valuable here. On Earth, he could pull up all the military data he needed instantly. However, he and the rest of the American expeditionary forces kept learning the hard way that this was not Earth. The program had no data on this world.
He had grown used to constantly checking these programs. He was frustrated that he couldn't stop, a habit that reminded him of his days as an NCO, when he had to micromanage every detail.
Suddenly, the captain felt the Armored Mobility Tactical Vehicle (AMTV) shake as it slowly drove through the rough terrain. The landscape of the Nevali Region proved challenging as Comanche navigated the unpaved roads. It was very different from the open plains of the Middle East or Eastern Europe. While the Armored Mobility Tactical Vehicles (AMTV) were designed for this kind of terrain, that didn't mean he enjoyed the slower speed or the constant bouncing.
"Do you think we'll have any luck with the next village?" Ford asked.
"No idea," Ryder replied to his driver.
After repelling the Second Siege of Indolass—while it was the first siege the Americans had fought at the temple—out of respect for the Palintai who had sacrificed themselves to open the Bridge for Fraeya, the Americans had decided to acknowledge the battle by that name. The Americans and Salva Militia forces had then attacked and recaptured the City-State of Salva. Not wanting to lose the city for a third time to the Aristocracy, the entire 5th Rangers battalion and the Minutemen would permanently garrison the town.
While the Americans had maintained their beachhead on this alien world, it had come at a high cost. Still, the beachhead was now secured. Colonel William Hackett wanted to contact the local villages to seek alliances and stabilize the situation. While friendly but simple villages and clans wouldn't significantly boost military might, they would provide territorial depth and create a supply line of food, knowledge, and other resources. This would help make Salva a functional base of operations and reduce the supply burden coming through the Bridge.
The last part had proven more challenging than expected. Comanche had contacted two villages so far, yet winning the hearts and minds of the local population had been fruitless.
"Comanche-Lead, this is Comanche-One."
Hearing Rommel King's voice over the radio, Ryder picked up the handset and replied, "This is Comanche-Lead. Situation?"
"We spotted smoke," King said. "I believe we're approaching another village."
"Roger," Ryder said, turning toward Fraeya, who sat in the back seat. "Can you get the welcome kit?"
"Yes, I can," Fraeya said. "Just like last time?"
"That is correct." Ryder leaned back into the passenger side of the Armored Mobility Tactical Vehicle (AMTV) and looked up through the vehicle's top at the winged woman. "Natilite, can you confirm we are approaching a village?"
Natilite leaned over the armored vehicle's exterior. "I can confirm. That is a village smokestack."
"Gracias," Ryder said. He started leaning back into the AMTV but stopped himself and leaned toward the Templar again. "How are you holding up, Natilite?"
"I am doing well," Natilite said. "I will say that the metal is uncomfortable to ride on."
Ryder chuckled. "I'll see if I can saddle it next time." After leaning back into the vehicle, he heard Ford comment on driving with someone on the roof.
"We are breaking so many safety regs, I don't even know where to begin."
"No choice," Ryder said. "Her wings make it impossible to fit inside without major alterations to crew space. Besides, I get the impression she doesn't want to be in a box after how we found her in Salva."
"I can understand that. I cannot imagine that kind of hell."
"You never operated in Latin America against the Cartels."
As the convoy approached, Ryder looked out and studied the surrounding forest. Tiny ridges and rock formations were scattered throughout, breaking the valley's flow. Most of the foliage looked like what he had seen on Earth—many types of trees, including pine and leafy varieties. The green and brown leaves showed the changing of the seasons.
Other types of trees were different. One had large pines that glowed. Another type glowed as well. Fraeya had stated that these trees had a low mana volume, giving them an unnatural look.
After the three-vehicle convoy drove over a small creek, they stopped at the entrance of a wooden wall. While Comanche disembarked from their vehicles, the Valkyrie slid off the roof and landed gracefully in front of the gate.
The captain exited the passenger door and scanned the surrounding area. Like Salva and Indolass, there were ridges and hills. Patches of trees were scattered throughout, while cleared areas served as farms. Staring toward the village, he saw two towers with guards watching the Americans.
The small farm patches contained tall tan stalks that looked like corn but were brown. Seven people were working the crops. Five were Kitsunes, but one was a Lat and the other a Farian, both male. Outside of the dirt from farming on their clothing, they looked well-fed and well-cared for, while the other two were in rags and clearly ill-fed.
Ryder did not need to be told what he was seeing. Those two were slaves of this village—probably bought or captured while traveling. Regardless, this might become an issue in the future.
Seeing the large wooden gate of the village open, Ryder turned to Fraeya, who was struggling to hold a large brown box. Before he could order Benjamin Ford to help, he watched the sergeant step up beside the elf girl and take the box from her.
Smirking at the sight, Ryder turned to Sergeant First Class Gregory Barrett and ordered him and the Twins to guard the vehicles while the rest of Comanche entered the village.
Ryder then watched Natilite speak with one of the village authority figures. He couldn't understand what they were saying as they waited for permission to activate the translation amulet. Fraeya had informed them that because anyone within the device's range could hear it, it was considered rude to use it without permission.
Seeing Natilite wave him over, Ryder approached with Rommel King and Benjamin Ford. When the three arrived, the captain extended his hand out of habit. The kitsune male stared at him, confused, then turned to the Templar. She demonstrated the proper greeting by placing both hands on her shoulders and bowing.
Seeing his mistake, the captain placed his hands on his own shoulders and bowed. The male said something, and Fraeya activated the amulet.
"Thank you for welcoming us into your village," Natilite said.
Noticing that everyone could now understand, Ryder stood up straight and looked at the Kitsune male. "Permission to see your Elder? We bring gifts and offerings."
"Templar Natilite states that you are honorable warriors from another world," the Kitsune said. "My name is Gragrush. I am the Protector of this village. If you bring harm, I will kill you all."
"Well, straight to the point. I like that. I am Ryder, Captain of this unit. I am here to represent the Altaerrie."
"I shall grant it only because of the good graces of a Templar," Gragrush said.
Seeing the Protector turn toward the village warriors, Ryder took note. Unlike the Militia or the Verliance Aristocracy, who wore heavy armor and wielded complex, powerful weapons, these people wore leather protection and carried spears, crossbows, swords, and energy staffs—just like the other two villages.
The group walked through the security gate and crossed a small bridge over a large ditch. On the other side, they saw a secondary gate, guarded by similar soldiers with primitive weapons.
The Protector signaled the guards to open the gate. It slowly opened, dragged by what looked like an ox with scales and a longer neck. Its horns were closer to antlers.
Inside the village, the Comanche saw dozens of wooden huts and buildings. The ground transitioned from dirt to concrete. The village was designed as a natural circle leading to the center plaza. Clothes hung everywhere, and straw and grass baskets filled with crops, fish, and berries sat nearby. Kids ran around while the adults performed whatever daily tasks a tribal society required.
"It is almost as if we are stepping back in time," Ford commented. He then noticed some females washing themselves and children by the river.
Rommel King pushed the sergeant on the back. "Be respectful, everyone. Keep your hands to yourself and do not stare at the topless women."
To Mathew Ryder's surprise, he found himself shocked by such a primitive society in this world, yet he didn't know exactly why. He had traveled much of Earth while in the Army and had seen the sharp differences between developed and undeveloped worlds, the urban and the deeply rural areas across the globe. It was only two hundred and fifty years ago that much of the world had still been hunter-gatherer societies with a few industrial regions, so it shouldn't have baffled him. Still, seeing it with his own eyes made the historical context feel far more real.
He wondered if he had been caught off guard by the vast difference. After seeing how advanced the city walls at Salva were and the level of technology the great powers of this world utilized, he had assumed things would be more evenly developed.
Ryder leaned toward Natilite and asked, "How come the past few villages are so different from Salva? Is this normal?"
"Yes," Natilite replied. "Is there no great divide between wealth and technology in your world?"
"There is. I'm just shocked… I don't know why I'm so shocked. It's just weird seeing all that magitech and now this—a step back in time."
Fraeya eased into the conversation. "Sorry to eavesdrop. I am not an engineer, but this is common. It requires a lot of money and energy to construct such things. This type of technology is out of reach for most tribal societies."
"That makes sense," Forest said. "Cities have always wanted to keep the wealth away from rural areas while demanding food. Then they can use that power to keep them loyal."
"Not now, Forest," King said.
"What?" Forest said. "This farm boy is just stating the truth."
"It is impressive, though," Gonzales said. "You have these villages at this stage right next to major economic centers. I'm shocked that the civilized world has not swept through these lands. There seems to be some coexistence between them."
"You could say that," Natilite said. "Salva was a City-State, not part of a greater empire, until the Aristocracy annexed the region. Before that, it was only part of a confederacy of other City-States."
"What was this confederacy?" Ryder asked.
"The Daru'uie Confederacy," Natilite replied. "The House of Balan, a Lat House installed by Hispana centuries ago, was the central family that led this confederacy. I do not know the details, but when the Verliance Aristocracy came here, they took the capital city overnight."
"House of Balan?" Ryder asked. "I cannot imagine ruling over a country one day and then having all of it gone the next. It is a job I would never want."
"Are those common in this world?" King asked. "City-States, I mean."
"Yes," Natilite said. "Are they not on yours?"
"Not at all," King replied. "There are only four or five on Earth in total."
"Interesting," Natilite said. "Still, villages like these usually align with the nearest town or City-State. If those two are not a feasible option, they might loosely join the overruling power of the lands, like Hispana or the Aristocracy. They are left alone as long as they pay tribute in crops and soldiers when needed."
As the Comanche walked through the village, they saw that most of the population were Kitsune. However, there were other races as well. Nekos and Farians were around doing most of the labor, and a single orc was forging.
While Ryder was still learning about the racial hierarchy of this world, he could tell some species were treated as more masculine or feminine. The Nekos looked like humanoid cats from Earth—something Altaerrie girls would cosplay or wear as casual clothing with cat-ear headsets.
The Farians and Nekos were cleaning and caring for the villagers. Just like the two outside, they seemed to be treated poorly, as slaves of this world. The orc was not equal to the Kitsune, given the type of clothing and the chain around its neck. However, something seemed different. He appeared well-fed and more respected, and he was left alone to do his tasks. The tusked humanoid handed a villager a tool, and to Ryder's confusion, the villager paid the blacksmith. The captain knew the orc had to be a slave, yet he seemed different from the others. This led him to wonder if there was a different system in this world.
Once at the center of the village, Ryder saw a large wooden building. From the decorations, he could tell it was the elder's house. Along the walls were trophies, including beast and monster skulls, jewelry, specially designed weapons from rival tribes, and the many wives who were caretaking the house.
The three wives were dressed more decoratively than those outside, showing their status within this society. It was clear that the clothing was handmade, not bought from a store. Each woman had her own color—one red and green, another teal. Each wore silver necklaces and decorative jewels in their hair.
Ryder stopped before the village elder and performed the same welcoming gestures and introductions he had witnessed at the gate. He placed one hand behind his back while the other was held out, palm facing up, as he bowed slightly.
The elder called himself Roaton. While he showed a positive impression of the American arrival, Ryder could tell it was a mask. The elder placed his hand on the captain's palm, ending the formal greeting.
"Nice to meet you," Ryder said. "I am an officer of the United States Army from the world you refer to as Altaerrie. I am here to offer gifts and propose peaceful cooperation."
When the team captain gave the signal, Ford set the large box down and opened it.
"My people created this gift to give examples of what we could offer," Ryder said.
Fraeya then explained the contents of the box: medical supplies, food, basic handheld radios, and other tools and equipment that could benefit low-tech people.
"Thank you for these gifts," Roaton said. "We cannot offer much; however, we can provide some of the valley's proudest crops. We also have the purest silver from the local mine."
Two females, both Kitsunes, approached. Ryder could tell they were slaves from the collars on their necks, but again, they seemed different from the labor slaves outside. To add to his confusion about how slavery worked in this world, both servants were Kitsunes. While he did not support the institution, he wondered why anyone would enslave their own kind when they had alternative options.
The two displayed some of the village's crops and silver decorations. One crop looked like a blurry orange, while the other looked closer to corn. The silver was shaped like an animal, designed to impress outsiders with its craftsmanship.
"We appreciate the gifts," Ryder said.
"Indeed," Roaton said. "Please come inside, and we can discuss why you are here."
"I'm happy to," Ryder said. "But first, my medic—" He glanced over at Natilite after hearing a fake clearing of her throat. He realized his mistake and corrected himself. "My healer wishes to aid any sick folk you may have."
"A healer?" Roaton said. "Very well. Someone will take them there, as we have many hurt workers."
Ryder ordered Marcos Gonzales to provide medical assistance to the villagers and Kurt Forest to provide him protection. Once the two walked off, he instructed Ford and Higgins to remain outside. At the same time, he, Rommel King, Fraeya Holiadon, and Natilite entered the elder's house.
Inside was a long table in the middle with two fireplaces at the ends. Unlike the electric-crystal lights at Salva, there were candles everywhere providing light.
Kneeling at the table, Ryder saw the servants place drinks and meals on it. This sight caused him discomfort, as he had never experienced being served by slaves before. He tried to hide his opinion, not wanting to offend, reminding himself that this was not his world and that this was not the time for a moral crusade.
"Now that we are settled," Roaton said, "where do you hail from? You said another world called Altaerrie?"
"We are from the United States," Ryder replied, sounding confused.
Natilite leaned in, quickly interjecting. "However, we have allied with the City-State of Salva. That is where we currently hail from."
"Does that mean you have allied with Lord Braern Gilmenor?"
"No," Ryder said. "Sadly, he fell in battle against the Verliance Aristocracy during the last siege. However, he had intended to ally with my people in this war."
"I see," Roaton said. "Who leads the city then?"
Ryder glanced toward his XO and saw the same look of concern. The truth was that there was no clear leader. The Militia was leaderless, and the Americans were still establishing themselves. He feared that stating an American commander was now in total charge might send the wrong message. However, he saw no other option. Turning back to the Elder, he said, "Colonel William Hackett is the current commanding officer of the city."
"I see," Roaton said. He took a bite from his meal, clearly using it to delay his response. "You are telling me that an outsider controls the city?"
"That is not exactly what I mean," Ryder said. "Because of the loss of the formal leader, Salva is currently rebuilding and reorganizing. While we currently hold a leadership role, it is a partnership. We are allies with a common enemy."
"Are you attempting to recruit us for war?"
"We are not coming here to recruit your sons for war; however, any aid will always be useful. This is what my people are offering. We will guarantee your security and assist in resolving trade disputes. We also offer market access to our technology. In return, we wish for food, any military aid you can provide, but most importantly, alignment with our side."
The Elder whispered to the village Protector before returning to the conversation.
"Your people seem nice; however, your efforts are fruitless. We already know about the other villages rejecting you and your recent defeats against the Verliance Aristocracy."
"Correction," King said. "We did not lose. We held and won. Otherwise, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"True," Roaton said. "I meant no disrespect, but my meaning was, why should I gamble my village's future for people from another world? You say you can guarantee our security; however, that is the offer of every power that wishes to extend its influence."
Ryder wanted to express frustration but held his composure. This was the same issue they had faced in the other villages. While there had been hiccups with the Salva Militia related to emotional stress after losing their city twice within a week, these people had a more practical reason: a lack of credibility.
"The difference is that you can work closely with us," Ryder said. "We have already proven we can stop and defeat the other powers. More importantly, we are not here to force our religion on you. Religious freedom and expression are essential to my people, unlike Unity."
Roaton took a long sip from his tea before speaking. "What you say does sound interesting, and if it were only me, I would consider it. However, the issue that hangs above us remains. You are a power from another world that knows nothing of ours. Whatever little victories you have claimed are insufficient to prove you will outlast the enemy. We might be a simple village, but we are not unaware of the greater world. I know who the Unity are. I know who the Aristocracy are. More importantly, I do not know who you are."
"Is it because they are Lats?" Fraeya asked.
"Not at all," Roaton said. "I prefer dealing with the Lats over the others. We supported the House of Balan in these lands before Kallem's annexation. Anyone who can mix business and war is a species I wish to side with."
"As I said," Roaton continued, "all I see are people with strange equipment asking for help from a village to go up against the most powerful empire Alagore has ever seen. You have no nobles, leaders, or any form of sponsorship. You only have a Templar, a half-elf girl, and a leaderless militia. Would you accept that offer, Captain Ryder of Altaerrie?"
Feeling nothing but frustration, Ryder knew the answer was no. He couldn't say that, as it would ruin any chance of finding a diplomatic solution. However, the Elder was smart enough to already know it.
"I would not throw away a potentially prosperous relationship without earning it," Ryder said. "There must be something you need that we can solve?"
The Elder was about to speak; however, the village's Protector whispered into his ear. Whatever was said changed the Elder's domineering tone.
"I do believe there is an opportunity," Roaton said. "A few days ago, soldiers from Toriffa appeared and took many of my people—eight young men and women—for the war effort. Maybe we could continue negotiations if you find and bring them back."
Ryder was not a fan of the proposal. Attacking a third party they knew nothing about was not ideal. For all he knew, this was a rivalry, and the Elder was taking advantage of their lack of knowledge. "Can you give us a moment?"
Seeing the Elder nod in approval, the four stood up and headed to the other end of the room.
"What do you think?" Ryder asked.
"You already know what I think," King said.
"Say it anyway."
"We should say no," King said. "We don't know who these Toriffa are. Our position is fragile, and we shouldn't stick our necks out without more information. We don't even know if they are telling the truth. It could be a trap."
"How can you say that?" Fraeya asked. "That is why these villages do not want to align with us."
"I say that because that is my job," King said. "I already know Matt wants to take the offer; otherwise, he would have rejected it. As his XO, I must give him the opposing opinion."
The elf girl looked at the XO, confused. "So, you are intentionally misleading?"
"No, Fraeya," Ryder said. "He is saying what needs to be said so we can be as informed as possible. None of it is personal."
"Is this another military thing?"
"Yes." Ryder turned to the Templar. "Natilite, what do you know about Toriffa?"
"Not much," Natilite said as she crossed her arms. "I do know they were once ruled by the Dwarves centuries ago but are now controlled by the J'avais. They are one of the wealthiest states in the region and, more importantly, a close ally of the Verliance Aristocracy. They are key to Kallem's grip over these people. If you are enemies of the Aristocracy, they are your enemy, and soon enough, you will face them in battle."
"Interesting," Ryder said. "I think we should take the offer. If anything, treat it as a recon mission on them. We should take them seriously if they are Aristocracy allies."
"If that is your decision, then I have your back," King said.
After making his decision, Ryder approached the Elder. "Tell us where to find these Toriffa, and we will go from there."