Chapter 174: Chapter 174: Infiltrate

December 2, 623

I shoved the last of the dried meat from my ration into my mouth, discontentedly chewing for what felt like an eternity before swallowing the chunk that still felt tough. It would only be mildly annoying to eat the same thing ad eternum, but eating the same horrible thing? I was starting to wish we hadn’t brought food at all. Starving would’ve been better than the “meat” we had to eat.

Even when we made the good meals though, the knights were always quick to gorge themselves. Stupid knights.

In front of me sat a new map, complete with every little detail of every single timed Scourge movement and troop concentration we had discovered. I now had a good overview of everything happening around the eastern crossing, and an entry plan was already taking shape in my mind.

While collecting and organizing data, I had also figured out how Scourge logistics worked.

The fungal biomats.

While clearing out a small encampment that was a bit too close for comfort (with extreme prejudice, given I brought all three Chiefs), we uprooted one of the Gut Roots and figured out exactly what was going on.

It served two purposes: by outcompeting flora and driving out fauna, it cut off a significant food supply for us humans and devastated the ecosystem behind it; more importantly, it itself served as an endless supply chain. The Gut Root was capable of producing nutrient paste and if the nutrient paste wasn’t consumed, it would either fester and grow that fungal biomat or would get eaten and recycled by the biomat. The nutrient supplies to carry out this process seemed to ignore distance and terrain; it didn’t arrive in bursts like our supply convoys did, but gradually and continually; and anywhere the Scourge went, so too did the fungi. As long as their depots had enough to spare, Scourge offensives were only limited by how many troops could crowd around a Gut Root for food. That meant without taking measures to eliminate the biomats and Gut Roots, we would be crushed by an endless army of freshly supplied monsters.

That was very bad news and I sincerely hoped that the Kingdom’s military knew about this. I knew they wanted to get rid of Gut Roots and Pustules – most likely what spread the infection –  but I didn’t know how much importance they placed on it. But something didn’t add up. I had my misgivings that the fungus was the only supply factor. This infiltration would confirm my doubts.

Well, I just needed to do my job here and hope the military was at least semi-competent.

I observed the map projecting from my Orb, marked with just a few paths of many hundreds that once covered the map like some conspiracy theorist’s pushpin map. On top of the Pathfinders and my few Chiefs, I also had the Snow Doves close by. They had left when we did and had been wreaking havoc on everything Scourge-related nearby. They were definitely attracting attention, and I, along with the Chiefs, had remained completely unobtrusive.

Now though, it was time to utilize my cards. All I needed was an in, and on my map, I could see it.

A little chink in their armor that I could use to breach their lines and insert my troops.

I tapped my Aerial, gathering some people for a quick conference.

The three Chiefs, along with Pollux, arrived before long.

“Alright, I’ve figured out how we’re going to infiltrate. If you would direct your attention to the displayed images…”

I pointed to some newly projected images of the eastern crossing.

The crossing wasn’t active at all the time, but it did host regular patrols and guards to monitor everything. These patrols and guards were fallible though.

The portion of Hare’s Pass that I knew near Stronghold Charlie was tall and deep, with the massive earthwork bridging the gap. However, the Hare’s Pass in our current area to the east sloped down toward the ground, cleanly revealing the river that had cut away at the Pass over hundreds of thousands of years. Eventually, the Pass would completely level with the rest of the ground, bracketing a river that ran into a distant lake.

The eastern crossing that we were looking at took advantage of the lower cliffs. It was an artificial land bridge that still went over the Pass but had no more than 100 meters of distance between it and the river. In my book, that was an easy cliff to climb and gave us several options for crossing that didn’t involve taking the actual bridge. Still, the main issue was avoiding the river. It was rapid and turbulent, and even Authority 9 sturdiness didn’t mean much against the force of a million gallons of water a minute.

I laid out my plan.

“We’re already on the external side of the crossing, so there’s no need to make things more difficult by cutting across. Chiefs, your objective is to cross the river without getting spotted. You simply have to make it from one side to the other. Now, I don’t know your full capabilities myself, so do you have any ideas?”

“I can handle that.”

Chief Reginold raised his hand.

“I can create a physical bridge for us to cross. Anywhere.”

“Oh? Well that certainly opens up more options…”

I looked back at the map and pictures, tracing the new routes that opened for us, nodding and smiling.

“Alright. Let’s do that. We’re going to move a bit farther east and have you three bridge across. However, there are patrols along the length of the crossing. We’re going to need to divert the Scouts so that you can slip by undetected.”

“That should be pretty easy for them, not to mention with you there, Liaison.”

Pollux smiled at me.

“Aren’t you the ranged master here? Can’t you just kill them?”

“I am, but not only do I make a lot of sound, but I’d prefer to not kill a single one. If we kill them far from the eastern crossing, they’ll assume that we did something over there and start suspecting the presence of infiltrators, which is exactly what we don’t want.”

“You think they’re that smart?”

“I’m not going to assume they’re stupid and then get proven wrong in a spectacularly tragic fashion by losing the Chiefs. We need to assume the worst and operate accordingly.”

“We appreciate that.”

Chief Reginold chimed in again. I looked over at him and received two nods from the other two Chiefs as well.

I wasn’t being lax with their lives and was making sure that they would have the easiest time while behind enemy lines. Even the slightest rumors of them being there would make this mission far more dangerous. I couldn’t take that chance, and they didn’t want to either.

Pollux went quiet while I continued.

“So, we need a diversion. I have one decent idea. We should attack and destroy the eastern crossing. Demolish the bridge, attract all their attention, and hopefully divert all the Scouts away from where the Chiefs are trying to sneak in.”

“... That’s a good idea. We’ll need some more firepower though. We should call some of the other Snow Doves.”

Reginold gave his advice, making me nod.

“Yes, I was hoping I could do that. In that case, we’ll head out tonight to go talk with them. Once we secure their help, the mission is a go.”

“What if it doesn’t divert the Scouts though?”

Chief Vipul softly objected. She was a knight, but generally kept to herself, despite her power.

I shrugged.

“I was thinking, since Chief Reginold can manipulate earth, that he could tunnel you three through the cliffside, perhaps underneath the river, and then dig your way behind enemy lines directly. If that can’t happen, then I’d have to think up some other plans. Maybe we would just need to go so far east where Scouts don’t bother patrolling, but I don’t know if that’s even viable if their territory goes that far.”

“... I should be able to handle tunneling. How far is debatable but we should be fine if we need to resort to that.”

Chief Reginold gave his assurances, making me relieved. I didn’t know how far the Scourge had spread east and I didn’t want to have to find out after we’ve already done so much recon. It would take much longer and we didn’t have the resources to be out here for much longer than we had been already.

I stood straight and crossed my arms.

“Alright, we’re going to move forward with those two plans in mind. Unfortunately, if both of those fail, we’re a bit screwed. Unless we get lucky, we’d have to regroup and figure something else out which will probably require us to return to base for more supplies. So let's make these two plans work. Now, before discussing more, we should get the rest of the Snow Doves involved. Commander Pollux, I can take Chief Reginold there with me. Tonight, we need to make preparations for tomorrow. I’ll leave that to you.”

“I have a question, before you leave.”

Pollux waved his hand.

“What part will the Pathfinders play in the destruction of the crossing?”

“Once we get the Snow Doves operational, primarily support. All of you will be focused on the bridge in order to provide more numbers. If we can’t get the Snow Doves to move, or at least get some of them to help us, then you’ll have a more active role, obviously. But prepare for a support position for now.”

“So in the best case, we’ll be taking a back seat.”

“Yes. No insult to everyone, but this isn’t something I want to take on without higher Authorities. I don’t know if they’ve bothered to station some powerful guard on the crossing in secret, but I don’t want to take that chance, nor do I want to be unlucky. We’ll bring out everything we have, do it right the first time, and get our infiltrators across without notice.”

“Mm. Sounds good to me.”

Pollux nodded. I wouldn’t put his people in danger simply because I didn’t want to risk coming across something that they couldn’t handle. They weren’t powerful enough to completely disregard the risk of the unknown. The Snow Doves were.

With that, Chief Reginold and I left for a distant camp. The place we left from wasn’t the main camp with the other Pathfinders. I had created two separate camps, one for myself, the Chiefs, Pollux, and his first squad. The rest of the Pathfinders were off somewhere else, there to draw the attention of any Scouts that might be lingering in the area. On the other hand, we were completely hidden, and I intended to keep it that way until I got my infiltrators over the Pass.

It didn’t take too long to find the Snow Doves since I had told them to stay in the area. Once we arrived, Reginold and I stepped out to greet Brigadier Nonnen. Miron was somewhere else, and I was glad his ugly mug wasn’t there to ruin my night.

“Brigadier Nonnen. Good to see you.”

“Hello Liaison. Reggie. Let’s head to the tent.”

After we shook hands, we entered the command tent. There, we sat down, nobody else to disturb us at the table.

I looked around the tent. Last time I had been on edge so I didn’t get a good look, but this place was actually pretty nice. It must be a singular structure that Nonnen could take out of a pocket ring or something. While portable structures seemed crazy, they were more than plausible with magic, and there was no reason rich Brigadiers couldn’t cart them around for the ultimate field comfort.

I got down to business after a few glances.

“I’ve got our plans for insertion. Now, I just need the help of the Snow Doves.”

“What kind of help?”

“We’re going to destroy the eastern crossing and annihilate every monster there.”

“... Ballsy, summoner.”

A grin grew on Nonnen’s face as he leaned forward, subtle battle lust seeping from his Aura.

“Tell me more.”

……

…

“What the hell have you gotten me into, Liaison?”

“Nothing too crazy, Commander. So long as you don’t get caught in the crossfire.”

“... I’ve never seen the Snow Doves so excited. What did you tell them?”

“I just gave them their objective. And then gave them no rules.”

“You’re going to be the death of me.”

I chuckled to myself while looking into the distance, watching the moving convoy.

They were just two platoons, but their collective Auras projected a skyscraper’s worth of noticeability, one bristling with weapons and defenses and pure bloodlust. They held nothing back, broadcasting to the entire Pass that they were there and that there would be a battle, of which the likes nobody had ever seen before.

The Snow Doves were definitely the brunt of the muscle, but the Pathfinders weren’t inept. They might not be able to handle the worst, but they could do more than enough damage to everything else.

Besides, nothing that I asked of them was beyond any of their capabilities. So long as nobody threw themselves off the bridge during the battle, odds were that we would come away unscathed.

Still, this wouldn’t be safe. I could see the eastern crossing from my position on a hill and there were more than enough enemies to give us a run for our money.

Our goal wasn't to kill them all though. In fact, the more enemies left, the better.

I clicked my Aerial.

“Just have fun, Commander. Liaison out.”

With that, I turned my Aerial off. It was about time to start and, for the sake of secrecy, I didn’t want to broadcast the fact that I was about to sneak off with the Chiefs. Who knew if the Scourge actually could tap into Aerial communications? I wouldn’t risk it. In fact, I had been thinking recently about incorporating some operational security measures.

Well, one problem at a time.

I turned my head and looked at the Chiefs beside me, my three infiltrators. It was just us four, and we’d be making our way to our target area on foot, completely dark.

They weren’t unequipped though.

Not only did each of them have spatial devices full of supplies to last them the next two months completely isolated and comfortably, but they were equipped with some special tools that very seldom got used. Things like advanced sensors, powerful magic cameras and video recorders, even a distress relay that could send out one massive burst signal across the land and back to us at base. Such a thing was only supposed to be used if they were going to die though, so I was hoping it’d never get used.

On top of that, they had some particularly special vehicles, speedster motorcycles faster than anything else in the military’s arsenal. Their speed was only matched by their relatively short charge. They could get them out of danger quickly but couldn’t necessarily sustain long distance travel. It would be up to them how they used it.

I had to say, spatial devices made operations like this incomparably easy to run. They didn’t have to worry about hauling massive amounts of food or handling its weight or bulk. They could also carry entire vehicles with them. Granted, those devices were prohibitively expensive, even more so than my own, and they also had several each. But still, just a couple arm bands and these guys had enough to get them through complete isolation for months in enemy territory where they couldn’t forage a single scrap of food or water.

It was almost too easy.

I adjusted my coat, completely covered in the rooty, red fungus. The Chiefs sported the same gear, gear that would allow us to blend in with these landscapes now covered in the stuff. There was no better way to blend with your environment than to take directly from it, although I wasn’t a fan of having potentially poisonous fungus near my body or on my gear.

Better than getting spotted though.

“Alright, let’s move.”

I spoke and we started our trek. All of us were silent and tried to maintain our secrecy as much as possible.

Not long after we started, we heard the sound of explosions and fighting in the distance. The battle had started.

I glanced over in that direction, vision only hindered by the massive dust clouds raised by incredibly energetic spells churning the land across the crossing. Scourge Aural signatures converged on the battle, first as a trickle, then faster and faster until it felt like a flood, ready to meet the Snow Doves and Pathfinders in battle.

And our side was ready for them too. The firepower I witnessed was a perfect reminder of why quality mattered much more than quantity in this world; Knights pressed forward in explosive cohesion, sending masses of monsters hurling back to their side, or to a gory doom at the bottom of the still-deep canyon, and Warlocks, with colorful almost-tangible magical energies flowing around them, carved holes in the endless tide pouring from the red-covered trees. That individuals could wield the power of entire armies…

I took but a moment to appreciate the carnage once more before taking a more critical eye, scanning for something specific this time.

I had spotted several Scouts and monsters patrolling the ravine earlier. Their patrol routes covered just about everywhere beyond the Pass, so I wasn’t surprised that there were enemies occupying every inch of it. Even now, I could see them patrolling the edges.

But as soon as the battle started, their attention was diverted. Some of them close to the battle moved to reinforce their forces while others further away hesitated, weighing the cost and benefit of changing positions to provide fire support.

I waited patiently while continuing to sneak, hop, and clamber our way down the Pass, making our way to the divot three miles from the crossing I had identified previously.

The battle in the distance only got worse as we continued. We continued walking for half an hour before we finally felt the ground beneath our boots slope downward for the last time, marking our arrival in the gulley.

Once there, I stopped our march and looked across the Pass.

A dozen scouts were within line of sight. Each one could end our plan.

However, half of them were now heading to the battle, while the other half was standing around, watching. A couple more got swept along with the others, joining them as their troops intersected, but a few still remained.

I pointed.

“Those three. Those will be the only ones of concern.”

“Seems like it.”

Chief Reginold nodded from beside me.

“How should we deal with them? I know you didn’t want to kill any, but even one is a problem.”

“If it’s really necessary, I’ll handle one of them. You guys won’t be getting your hands dirty though. Let’s wait a bit longer.”

With that, we sat down and watched. The battle in the distance only raged harder, but my eyes were on the Scouts across the Pass.

I watched as most of them left, as I thought they would. One of the ones I thought would stay also left. In the end, after another 20 minutes, there were only 2 Scouts left, separated by less than a mile. We were almost perfectly in between them.

I thought for a bit before pointing.

“Let’s move over there.”

After giving the command we marched a bit farther, until we were right in front of one Scout.

Chief Reginold looked at me weird.

“Why?”

“If I handle this one, there won’t be any others around for a mile.”

“You sure we should kill it?”

“Yes, but I want you to do something for me when I do.”

I gave him some quick instructions. At first, confusion crossed their faces, but as I explained the rest of the plan to them, devious grins replaced concern.

“Alright then. Let’s get this party started. Chief Reginold, go with Plan A. Start from here.”

“Got it.”

“Good luck, guys.”

“You as well, Liaison.”

I went around and shook their hands. I was under no impression that they would be safe while carrying out their mission. We had equipped them with the best we could get and prepared them with all the intelligence we could give. But it would still be up to them to navigate enemy territory and brave its dangers, including the threat of the most powerful that the Scourge had to offer.

Memories of the other two squads flashed in my mind. I sincerely hoped I wasn’t sending yet another squad to die. Despite my best efforts, I wasn’t sure if it was enough. I would feel better if I were going myself, but that wasn’t an option.

After a quick goodbye, Chief Reginold got to work. The other two Chiefs took up positions beside him, and then, he started tunneling.

The ground opened up beneath him, the three of them vanishing into the ground like they were moles. The dirt and stone piled back around on top of them once they passed, and before long, they had disappeared from my view, their Auras seeping in and following them as they vanished.

Now, it was my turn.

I got comfortable on the ground, using a nearby rock to prop my gun on as I took aim. The Scouts were clear in the distance, and the one in the further away only got more so as it inched closer to the battle. It wouldn’t completely abandon its post, but I would take what I could get.

In the opposite direction of the one in front of me, there was the other Scout. It was nearly a mile off though, with no intentions of getting closer. These Scouts in the distance wouldn’t make a difference in the battle when so many had already left to reinforce. Instead, they had to maintain surveillance and likely a communication line between them.

I watched the one in front of me intently. Then, after some time, I saw something.

Chief Reginold emerged from the opposite wall of the Pass. He had tunneled down through the cliffside and then under the river, coming out at the bottom of the opposite cliffside above the river.

After doing so, I saw the three of them scale its face, rising up right below that Scout. Chief Reginold created a rock platform that simply rose up the cliffside, making it exceedingly easy for themselves.

Then, once they got close to the top, they slowed. I saw them look in my direction, but I waited.

I readied my rifle, my silenced Springfield. It was a bit weaker than other guns, but I didn’t need strength here.

I steadied the scope’s reticle on the Scout’s head. Then, just as the three were about to reach the top, I fired.

My bullet shot straight through the Scout’s head, dropping it and giving the signal. The Chiefs shot up from their platform and stormed the area, killing off all of the wolf escorts within seconds.

They kicked all the bodies off the cliffside once they were done, dumping them into the rushing rapids below. Reginold even went so far as to shift some of the dirt with blood in it as well, sending incriminating chunks of earth tumbling to the water.

With that, they seemed to fade into the treeline, ready to disappear into enemy territory. Chief Reginold snapped a salute in my direction before he joined the other two on the mat.

I stood and returned it. He couldn’t see me, but that wasn’t the point.

After that, I watched them shoot off into the distance, one of the knights carrying Reginold. It wasn’t even half a minute later that I could no longer pick them out in the dark night.

Their mission had begun, and mine had ended.

I sent my rifle back, glancing at the other two scouts. Neither of them were suspecting anything and neither of them were within line of sight of the one I killed. While my gun had made a sound, the battle in the distance continued to rage and sent quakes through the Pass. It was enough to mask my shot.

Knowing that they would be safe, I turned and started marching back to my rendezvous point where I would get picked up.

Along the way, I did my best to clear my mind of any worries.

It was no longer in my hands, and I couldn’t say that I didn’t do my best to prepare. That would have to be enough. I hoped it was. It was just a matter of waiting for them to prove me right.

On the other hand, I was curious as to the situation over at the Treehouse. If a decision had been made, it would already be implemented. The base would either be deserted, left to be consumed by the rot, or teeming at the trunks with reinforcements when I returned.

I wasn’t sure which one I should hope for. Either way, I’d make do with the cards I was dealt.

And no matter what, things were going to get a lot more intense from now on.