30 hours ago, Evtva, Sedunn

Whenever he got a Friday off, which wasn't often, supreme commander General Maks Fejellienn liked taking his family to the local cinema. About halfway into that Qwerty's latest comedy, his phone vibrated. It was a phone call from a hidden number. Disregarding the cinema's rules and common courtesy, he answered the call. A neutral voice conveyed a simple message.

"Musical Cartography."

The general excused himself and left the building.


07:01 Hullvem Air Base, Sedunn

It was early in the morning and major Hevv Botnienn yawned as he parked his car on the usual spot. He usually remained in the car for a few minutes to finish a good song playing on the radio or just to check a few things on his phone. He was just about to open his mail app when someone knocked on the wind shield. He looked up and saw that his friend and colleague, major Kovalev, was pointing towards the hangars. The air base had been extra busy the last months, but he had never seen so many trucks there before. Botnienn opened the door and climbed out.

"So today's the day?" Kovalev's question was more of a statement really.

Botnienn nodded.

"It looks like we're getting two each."


09:36 Near the besieged city of Seranuma, Reizen

"Rusty car, left 150 meters, DFP. Two soldiers, one heavy machine gun. Switching to infrared." Hip-hop whispered and turned a knob, and the instrument clicked pleasantly.

"No additional signatures" he concluded.

"This is the weakest point in their defense. We will have to infiltrate through here." Book said with a concerned look on his face.

"Agreed."

Book adjusted his position and moved his finger to the trigger.

The silenced rifle coughed twice and Hip-hop saw through the binoculars how the two RIM soldiers collapsed.


14:23 Somewhere in RIM controlled area near the besieged city of Seranuma, Reizen

They had been running or jogging almost constantly for five hours, only stopping to hide from a passing RIM patrol or take a short break. Hip-hop looked at his watch and decided they could afford an extended break. They found good spot in a ditch between thick bushes. After having a bite or two of some energy bar and a few sips of water they slowly stood up to get on their way again, mindful of their surroundings. Then it all got dark for Hip-hop.

A second later there was a loud bang, obviously someone had fired a weapon somewhere behind them. Hip-hop plunged instinctively. He soon realised why he couldn't see. Warm blood covered both his eyes. Quickly wiping as much of it as possible off, he could see again. Then he saw that Book's headless body still stood up next to him.

Hip-hop grabbed a smoke grenade and threw it in the direction he though the shooter was. As it exploded, he fired a few shots in the same direction. He then grabbed the bag that Book had been carrying. Hidden from plain sight by the smoke, he ran away as fast as he could.


18:44 city of Seranuma, Reizen

A WPR patrol was coming closer where Hip-hop was hidden. It was time. He put away his weapons and turned his uniform jacket inside out. This side had the common Sedunnic camouflage and the blue and white flag on the left shoulder. He addressed them.

"Soldiers of the WPR! Sedunnic military here! I have friendly intentions! I am going to stand up now, don't shoot!"

Hip-hop raised both hands above his head and stood up slowly.

"I have an urgent message for your commanders!"