"Send out the helicopters again. They are to attempt to make contact with these mysterious survivors immediately."
"Should they land?"
"No! I will not break my policy of not letting a Darkstraitese soldier land on Baliish."

*TIK communicators heard Darkstrait from their com line, and immediately responded.*

"Knights here, if you have verified that there are more survivors in Baliish, we can help extradite them. Unless you'd like to extradite the survivors themselves.."

"We'll leave the extradition to you. Our orders are to avoid contact with any possible infection."

"Alright, give us the co-ordinates of every known survivor, and our commanders would take them immediately."

"We're transmitting them now."

After a couple of days since the recon movement and the meeting with the Capital. Captain Adrian Cooper and his men has arrived with the Layton group. Ten of the latest Hover-Planes manufactured by Rook Aircrafts, built solely for combat and expedition. 130 men joined the entire expedition. A total of 200 soldiers and civilians have control over Dedric and Novac.

The new muscles were pumped up, and geared up for battle, their troops are currently getting an update of the situation. But after a couple of presentations and POV videos, they were as shocked as they were in the early years. Still shaken, they decided to immediately train and take patrol duty.

The survivors from the Sporaltryan recon survivors have already arrived home, and their families awaited for them in the international airport. Though not a lot of people knew who escorted these traumatised men back home, the government of Hammerstar and the heads of Regal Condottieri has kept their mouths shut, and to not twitter that it was them who sent these people back. They remembered that they have promised Resentine Kingdom to keep this entire affair incognito, and would take that promise until further notice.

The group of the 3rd Resentinian Expedition has been secured. Though their planes are all prepared to leave for the Resentinian Kingdom. The 3rd expedition chose to come with the Resentinian troops currently positioned in Baliish. The Regal Condottieri have extracted as much information from the survivors, and has let sent everyone on their way.


After long days of researches & decryptions. Commander A enters the lab, and saw four people inside. Three beautiful women in lab coats sat down exhausted. The short-haireed blonde was looking out the window, the ginger was resting her body next to a wall, while the long haired blonde rested her head in the table. While a young soldier, officer rank, stood there, confused.

"You are dismissed officer." ordered Commander A

The officer got out from the lab, and gave a paper to the Commander before his departure. The commander opened the letter, and waiving all formalities, it said: "Test 619, failure"

"So? What are you girls going to do?" asked Commander A. "619th test, expecting to do 620?"

Zooey Trax and Leonie Gratin immediately addressed the Commander. While OttoLynn Sinclair is still looking out from the lab window.

"That depends… How many assets have we used?" Asked Zooey, still a bit fazed.

"Just 10%." Answered Commander A.

"We have got every information we need. We have a full databank of the island's history, existing species, and a library of samples. The naturalist documents have been fully decoded as well, and we have enough information about the Moorlocks." responded Leonie as she ties up her hair.

"My Soreleirs have also gathered information about the island, we now have a full 3D updated map of Baliish. Inside and out… The only thing that's missing is.." continued Zooey.

"The cure."

OttoLynn interrupted them, and took out a case of Aqua Cigarettes. She inserted one in her mouth, and looked away once more in her unusually moody manner.

"Why the long face Otto?"

"620, Six hundred twenty tests and not a single one of them could make a cure. We checked countless of times, how many proteins are folded, how many molecules should there really be… God dammit I feel so foolish."

Commander A approaches his friend, still in her mercurial state of emotion. He reaches for his pocket.

"Need a lighter? If you give me a piece."

OttoLynn threw the cigarette pack at the Commander, and as the commander reaches for a cigarette. He lit Otto's, and lit his own.

*Phooooh………..*

"Aqua Cigarettes, the safest cigarette in the planet. Essentially, it's boiling compressed molecules of water, though it wouldn't give you the addictive feeling of smoking a normal cigarette, the steam would refresh your throat… You invented this right?"

"I had an issue with smoking, used to smoke 5 packs a day. But then I was rushed to the hospital, I passed out, couldn't breathe properly. Fortunately it's a minor thing, my lungs are not deteriorated. Doctors said that if this happen again, I would probably die…" Said Otto. 'I turned to drinking and other things like gum and nicotine patches. None of e'm worked, So I made a cigarette filled with compressed H20, results are astonishing really. It gives a more refreshing feeling than a normal cigarette, people think it's just like boiling water. But it really freshen you up."

"You girls want some?" offered Commander A.

"Yes please." responded Leonie.

Commander A passes the pack of cigarettes and the lighter. The entire room puffed the steam, and felt a rather refreshing breeze inside them.

"So? what are you going to do now Otto. You can research about the cure as long as you can, and I can approve of it if you want."

"All my life I thought that for every disease, every problem we face. There is a cure, there is always a solution, no matter how extreme it is…. When ten of my friends  died from the infamous Petricca Plague, and dropped right in front of me. I vowed that I would be the one who's going to solve every disease, and formulate every cure possible… There has been failures, but in the end, there is always a formula for a cure. Heck, I cured diseases as serious as cancer, but no one knew about it yet. "

"This is the first time that after so many attempts, I could not find the cure. It either didn't work, or make things worse… Mum, Dad and many others expected me to reach perfection, and not accept anything less than that. Secretly, my passion for finding a cure and unlocking the complete secrets of nature is slowly making me suffer. I've had sleepless nights, pass out a couple of times, even had numerous trips to the EU. I've started crying if I do any worse than my full potential. I never feel like I'm good enough, and generally, I just feel awful. Every time I fail, it's as if the entire world is looking below me in disdain. My failure made me feel imperfect, tainted, soiled. I'm sorry that I've let you down….…"

After an awkward silence, the sound of Commander A's voice was heard. Strangely, it was a laugh that tore apart the silence..

"Hahahahaha! Hahahahaha! Hahahahahahaha!"

"It's not funny!" shouted Otto.

"I beg your pardon, but did you say that you are imperfect?"

"You have a couple of minutes to explain yourself…."

"Look, I don't think your definition of perfect is correct Otto. It makes me laugh to hear other people say those words the moment they fail, especially those who are ignorant to realise that their prodigious pedigree is not above failure…" Commander A looked around the room, and addresses the three ladies. "Girls… Do you think that there shall a time where you won't be perfect?"

"Yes." answered Leonie
"I agree." answered Zooey
"Of course." answered OttoLynn.

"That is where the error lies, your error is in thinking perfection is a mutable trait. Being defeated in the dojo, losing a chess match, failing an experiment, or receiving a lower score than expected will not change the fact that people such as you or I are simply perfect." Said Commander A. "For the pursuit to make you suffer and strive in such a way… No. The fault is not yours. That fault is placed solely on the foolish people who expect more from you than what can reasonably be performed by even a person of your caliber. Anyone worth their salt should be able to see that you’ve been burned if you show them the scars, Friends worth having won’t abandon you for one simple failure, It’s not always as clear-cut as that in practice, but that’s a thought I can’t really get away from while trying to advise you. As your friends, they shouldn’t be holding you to a higher standard than they hold themselves, and I can almost guarantee they aren’t."

The other two ladies are watching the entire scene in shock.

"Now, You must now focus on your health. Believe that you are good enough and that your performance is more than adequate. Dedicate yourself to the areas in which you excel, and dismiss all other things as the trivial matters that they are."

Commander A points his open right hand towards Otto.

"I’m sure it sounds nearly impossible, but someone as perfect as yourself is capable of it. You have my undying respect, the oncoming war will be a difficult one, but I expect you’ll emerge with your soul intact.
With that said, I would stake my career on your ability."

The entire room fell into an electrifying silence, as if Commander A discharged a wave of electricity the moment he finished his sentence. OttoLynn puts a straight face... But the passion and happiness in herself made her smile so large. Not a lot of people has seen her smile. Tears went out as she bowed to the Commander.

"Thank you! thank you! thank you! thank you! thank you! Thank you for what you've said to me Commander, thank you for noticing my works, thank you for opening my eyes, you've dismissed the brick wall inside my mind… Thank you!"

The commander came to her, and hugged OttoLynn.

"No, thank you. Thank you for all you've done for us… We're your friends, and we'll never leave you behind."

As the Commander lets go of his hug, Leonie and Zooey came to hug their friend. They wiped the tears off Otto.

"So, what do you think is the best course of action?" asked Commander A.

"We've been here too long, it's time to end this all. I can search for the cure sometime later, time is not on our side right now." Responded OttoLynn

"Excellent choice, gather every information you have and meet me in the Velocé."

The Commander got out from the lab and took a sigh, he finished his cigarette and ran to his office, and prepare for a meeting. Meanwhile, the cold air of Baliish had a certain man sitting on the roof of a building with his fiancée. They enjoyed the crescent moon, with the sound of men and women training running all around Novac, the warm chocolate milk kept the couple warm.

"Funny, we've been here for one month and I've never noticed the moon…." remarked Keileen.

"That's because we came here to fight, and we spent most of our time in recon and battle manoeuvres."

"The moon is so radiant here, as if there's not a single trace of pollution. I feel like that the moon is closer."

"…."

"Max?"

"Keileen, you are as beautiful the first time I met you…"

"….."

"Your eyes, they are so radiant. They are so bright and innocent, your eyes lured my soul towards you... It has never changed for a long time..."

"Oh, Max.."

"Keileen... I've been dying to ask you this, it's been something that I wanted to say to you moments after we are dating. You are the perfect girl to.... God I feel this is so freaking cheesy."

"Hahaha, it's ok, I can try to not puke from the cheesiness."

"You have given me life in everything you do. Your smile warms my heart when I am feeling sad or doubting my place in this world. Your words speak volumes to me about character and how supportive you are in everything I do. Your love fills me with the motivation I need to continue to push forward on this long and winding road of life. You complete the parts of me that I struggle to perfect within myself. Every day I realize more and more that life without you in it, by my side, as my--"

*Kriing!* - Max's Phone rang

"Max." answered Maxwell

"This is Commander A, please move to the Velocé."

"Copy.."

*Turns off phone*

"I'm sorry darling, I gotta go.." said Max

"I'll wait here, don't be long... I'm waiting for you to finish."

Maxwell jumped off roof buildings and hopped through buildings en route to the Velocé, he had something important to say to his partner. But he's a duty-first kind of person. So he continued hopping until he found a building low enough to jump from, meanwhile, in the Callaway. Two men are playing chess in an office surrounded by plexiglass and computer interfaces.

"This got me going again" said Rasyid.

"Yes, FIDE d'SuPac... It got me back trying this game, the next local championships would be hosted soon." responded Norva

"I don't care how many people think they're better in their military, population, whatever. But when they start to challenge our chess skills, oh they crossed the line." Grumbled Rasyid. "But... I must keep a cool mind, emotions would ruin your chess gameplay."

"Indeed.. So? Excited about the fasting month?"

"Why of course, I've already started fasting today. Sadly we can't really go to the Ramadan Festival. Damn, I always go there."

"Duties come first.."

On their tenth move, a familiar face got inside the office. A young man, perhaps in his eighteens. A red sweatshirt and military pants, his headphones are hooked on his neck.

"You should always knock before entering Cooper." remarked Norva

"......."

"Cooper?" addressed Norva

"..........."

"Address your senior officer when they are talking to you Captain." responded Rasyid.

"Did....Did you two face those things?"

"Indeed we did, it was quite a challenge. You really need to aim correctly, otherwise they'll strike you down in an instant. If they claw your body, you'll lose yourself in the muse, and soon, your soul is good as gone."

"So they...they are...."

"Yup, they were humans..."

"God..... what the heck could've done this?"

"That is why we're here Captain.."

"I...I didn't sign up for this..."

"Then leave."

"What?"

"Leave, you're still a kid afterall."

"...."

"I should've known, you're still a pathetic little kid, prodigy or not. Leave the big fishes to play in the pond, while the little fishes go sit in the corner, alright? You are not yet ready for these things..."

"Are you?"

Both Rasyid and Norva was caught off guard by Cooper. Cooper then displayed a smug on his face.

"Wipe it off, when we landed on Baliish, we didn't know what to expect. We thought it was just another OP, turns out, it became so weird and mysterious... Our troops were frightened by these creatures of the winter, its as if something came from a legendary folklore... But then we found out that they were humans, and decided to end their misery."

"These things, they are simply humans that have left their soul. Think of it this way, their souls are inside a cage, and they couldn't go to the afterlife if we don't break their cages. So, we kill them all, and get their souls out of there."

"...."

"You'll face something more gruesome than this kid, this is still childsplay compared to what we've done many years ago... If you'd seen what some people do in Lazarus, you'd never want to eat again..... Your mind would be challenged by such trauma, the only way that you can survive, is that you balance your logic and your emotions."

"....Whew, alright... Let's kill these bitches, and go home.."

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

*Commander A's face was flashed in the computer interface.*

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything gentlemen."

"We've just wrapped it up."

"Great.. Meet me in the Velocé, bring every information about this case immediately. We're meeting with someone."

Minutes later, Commander A and his team of highly trained commanding officers are inside the room. They are preparing to send a message to the Resentinian battle fleet. They were all dressed in the occasion, being in contact with another military group, one must always dress properly. For the Commander, it's his usual winter uniform.

"Send them the wave."

*Beeping noises in the computer interface.*

Meanwhile, in the HMS Dauntless

Lt. Emily Goldwater: Sir! We have a wave from Knights.

Vice Admiral Hauser: On screen lieutenant.

In the Velocé

"Commander, they have accepted our transmission." responded Leonié Gratin

"Thank you Ms. Gratin. Vice Admiral Hauser, how are you today?" said Commander A

Vice Admiral Hauser: I've had better days, I'm afraid I haven't been formally introduced.

"Of course, allow me to introduce myself. Supreme Commander A of the Regal Condottieri.

Vice Admiral Hauser: Vice Admiral Hauser, Admiral of the Resentinian Navy.

"Great, now let's cut to the chase. We regret to inform you that any attempts on finding a cure has failed miserably. We could try the experinments again, unfortunately, we assess that we are running out of time. We are still positioned on the Northern area of Baliish, and it has been months. We fear of what this biological weapon could do, like you, we are not fully aware of the technology. This technology is neither Resentinian nor something Hammerstar would make. But we must treat it as if it would end the world as we know it, I don't know about you, but I still want to come home to my friends and family, not shoot down dark creatures lurking around... We propose of a joint operation between both of us, we would divide this into two operations and two teams.

Team A would do an operation we would call Operation Stump, we wish to initiate a blitzkrieg. Starting from Dedric, we would storm Govanzino, then Bodran, and then Mainard.
When we are finish with it, we would initiate Operation Lantanum, in which we would clear the entire nation from these dark creatures. Their job is to minimise the population of the dark creatures as much as possible, our troops have sent a full map 3d map of Baliish to you.

Team B would respond to Darkstrait's messages. I'm sure you've heard that they've found some survivors in the island. We have received some coordinates, and we would like to co-operate with Resentine to save as many survivors as possible.

Now, our recon drones have found something of oddity. They have located a large, unknown structure near the top of one of the Island's mountains. While we have not flown close enough to identify the structure, we have determined that it is not Resentinian in origin. We fear that the structure may be the place where the biological weapon is sited. Therefore, I request that you would handpick your best troops to join my elite force. We would lay siege to that area, and kill every single one of these dark creatures until we are able to figure out what that structure is... It may be the key of understanding what happens in Baliish.

One of our troops are flying to the HMS Dauntless, along with e'm is a drive filled with everything all of the information we have gathered and decoded. Please brief the Admiral on our gathered information."

While Commander A's commanding officers gave a full insight on their information in Baliish, far away from Baliish. A young woman in her veil approached a man drinking coffee in a cafe sited in the middle of nowhere. She got this information from a friend, who was coincidentally the ambassador of Darkstrait. She approached the man, both are wearing a mask.

"You've got some nerve to come here..."

"...."

"You know that our relationship is more bitter than Sporaltryus and Ryccia? In combat, we would pluck each other off, and kill each other till we drip our last blood. One of my commanders would place your blood in a vial, and one of your commanders would try to retaliate by slitting me with his scimitar."

".... I know."

"Then why are you here? Certainly it is for something friendly right?"

"We need your help, its a rare time when the only ally you can trust is your enemy. So, I'm going to brief you what to do, it concerns Baliish..."

"Tell me.. Fraulein Elena... What do you need from the mighty Falcon Claw?"

After checking with his superiors, Hauser approves Commander A's plan, stating the plan "Looks like what we we're going to do anyway".

The Sedunnic Rangers move up the hill just to the North of Novac towards the nearest marked bunker. The Hill is covered by dense trees, so when the Rangers make it to the top of the Hill and the Bunker, the Rangers who were in front are suddenly cut down by gunfire. The rest of the Rangers, hearing the sudden gunfire, assume combat positions around the bunker. The battle outside last for almost 5 minutes, when the final defender is taken out by a sniper. As they move twoards the bunker, some of the rangers check the bodies of the defenders, finding a flag sown on to all of their left shoulders.

Spoiler

[Image: ZGoY29c.jpg]

The Rangers moved up to the front entrance of the bunker, a pair of rusting, steel doors. They open the doors and spread out through the bunker. They find several survivors, with most not putting up any resistance, along with stores of supplies and equipment. However, they do not find any weapons. One of the survivors walks up to a Ranger officer, points to the flag on his shoulder, and asks, "Are you Royalists?"

Reinforcements for Sedunn have managed to find good weather, and will arrive in Baliish in 3 days.

Darkstraitese Helicopters quickly take off the deck and spread out across Baliish. Command had given them all pre-determined routes to place them in positions to relay radio transmissions. Once all the Helicopters are in place, a navy radio officer sends out this message, "This is the Navy of Darkstrait, here on behalf of Resentine, to any and all survivors on Baliish. Rescue teams are here for you. Please contact us immediately to arrange rescue." within minutes, the Radio is filled with pleas for Rescue, with coordinates and how many survivors there are. Darkstrait begins relaying these positions to TIK Rescue Teams and the HMS Dauntless.

TIK Rescue Teams are immediately dispatched to the locations given by Darkstrait, hoping to save as many survivors as possible. However, on one of Baliish's smaller islands, outside of the town of Govanzino, TIK Mechs and soldiers landed on the beaches and stormed into the city, and secured almost half of it within 3 hours. Back on the main island, TIK's elite troops were dropped off in the snowy mountains and began hiking toward the location of the unknown structure. They climbed higher and higher up the mountain until they came across an opening in the mountain around where the building was seen. The Troops went into the opening, and found a large, metallic structure, unlike anything they'd ever seen before.

Spoiler

[Image: 800px-Forerunner_Alpha_Halo_control_room_16.jpg]

They placed down a radio transmitting beacon to let the incoming Resentinian troops know where they were.

Meanwhile, aboard the Dauntless.......
Official Transcript, HMS Dauntless Command Center, Off the coast of Southern Baliish

VA Michael Hauser: Lieutenant, can you get me a status update from all of our men?

Lt. Emily Goldwater: Of course, sir. *Spends a few minutes going through the radio channels, checking with all units* Alright sir, Helix and Delta went to the bunker assigned to them, The didn't find any weapons, but, they cam across quite a horde of Dark Ones.

Hauser: Are they alright? Did they make it out of there ok?

Goldwater: Yes sir, but, they do have quite a number of casualties. Captain Harris is asking for Evac back to FOB Indigo.

Hauser: Tell Indigo to send choppers to Harris' position. What about Phoenix and Baker?

Goldwater: They managed to get into their bunker as well, but found it completely abandoned. There we some schematics for the weapons, but no weapons themselves.

Hauser: Damn. Have them keep searching, those weapons have to be somewhere. Let's move on to Gregor. Did they make contact with the survivors?

Goldwater: Yes sir. Even got some on radio. They apparently encountered a "Captain Everett" who's claiming to be in charge of the Royalist Forces here on the Island.

Hauser: Royalists? You've got to be kidding me.

Goldwater: No sir. According the Gregor, the Civil War is still quite alive here, and when the survivors aren't gathering supplies and hiding from Dark Ones, they're fighting each other.

Hauser: This is going to require a lot more forces than we may have anticipated. When you get the chance, radio CentCom, tell them we're going to need another Expeditionary Force. Turned from Rescuers to Peacekeepers. This will be fun*Sarcastic tone*. Finally. Did we get the coordinates for the "Mysterious Structure" from the Knights?

Goldwater: Yes sir.

Hauser: You already sent them to the Force Recon Teams?

Goldwater: Of course.

Hauser: Well, I guess that's that then. Go get some rest.

Goldwater: Thank you sir.
[End Transcript]

Official Transcript, Lynx AH-3426 "Night Owl", Royal Marine Force Reconnaissance Team "Able", Over Central Baliish

Two Lynx Helicopters come over a ridge on the Mountain just to the South of The International Knight's beacon. Both Helicopters come into a stop over the ridge and begin to land

Capt. Tyler Zacharia: Alrighty, boys and girls, this is your stop.

*The Helicopter lowers onto the ridge, blowing any nearby snow around and away from it*

Lt. Walter Sampson: Alright, Marines, listen up! We're getting dropped off here, then we will proceed north, to the beacon left for us by The International Knights.We will meet them at the Beacon and proceed into the Unknown Structure, understood?

Alll of Able: Sir, Yes, Sir!

Sampson: Alright, Marines, Pile out! Let's go!

*Able opens up the side door of Helicopter "Night Owl", while Force Recon Team Bravo exits the second Helicopter, "Night Fox"*

Sgt. Dominic Florence: *Getting out of the Helicopter* Shit.... Forgot to bring an Extra sock....

Sampson:*Following him out* What was that Sargent?

Florence: Nothing Sir!

*The rest of Able climbs out of the Helicopter*

Zacharia: Able One, this is Night Owl, Radio check.

Sampson: Copy you, Night Owl, we an hear you loud and clear.

Zacharia: Able, just to be clear, Me and Fox are not sticking around. We stay up here too long and out blades will freeze up and we won't be able to leave. You will Radio Dauntless when you need pick up, over?

Sampson: Copy that Owl. We'll radio Dauntless when the time comes.

Zacharia: Roger. Good luck Able, Night Owl out.

Sampson: Copy Owl. Able out.

*The Lynx Helicopters take off of the ridge, moving back down the mountain to the Dauntless*

Sampson: *Walks over to Bravo Team Leader* I don't think we got the chance to meet yet. Lieutenant Walter Sampson.

Capt. Steven Mitchell: Captain Steve Mitchell. It's a pleasure.

Sampson: So, cap, what's the the plan, exactly?

Mitchell: Thankfully, It's rather simple.*Pulls out Map* We can follow this ridge line to the other side of the mountain, which will put us oppisite from where we need to be.

Sampson: How much of a span do we have separating the two mountains?

Mitchell: About Five-hundred meters. My Grandmother could shoot farther.

Sampson: Ok. Once we get to the other side?

Mitchell: We're going to limb up to the ridge above the one we are on, about 50 meters up. After that, Sargent Thomas back there *Points* is going to set up a zip line, and we're going to cross the gap like that.

Sampson: Shit. Sounds like fun.

Mitchell: Yup. Let's get going.

Sampson: Yes, sir. *Goes back to Able* Alright Marines, listen up. We're going to follow Bravo on this ridge line until we get to the other side of the mountain. After that, we are going to Climb up to the next ridge, and zip line across the gap to the location of The Knights' beacon, understood?

All of Able: Sir, yes, sir!

Sampson: Alright then, let's get moving then! The best way to stay warm in the middle of winter is exercise!
[End Transcript]

Both Force Recon teams Cross the ridge to the other side of the mountain in about an Hour. Once they climb up to the second ridge, Sargent Thomas of Bravo Team sets up the Zip Line and the teams cross the gap separating them from the Beacon. Other than Sargent Florence almost slipping once he made it to the second mountain, the travel went without incident. Both Able and Bravo teams meet the International Knights' troops at the beacon, and wait for orders to enter the strange structure that lie in front of them......

*Darkstraitese helicopters fly over playing dramatic music*