Eternal
You have greater duties now and leaving your command now when they desperately need you would be folly. You write a letter back to the Emperor explaining how necessary your job is here and that perhaps redirecting svelk mercs to hunt down Cyrus might help. You also suggest building another factory as soon as possible.
Months pass and things don’t get much better. Cyrus is still on the loose and has actually succeeded in destroying Marik’s factory. You have no idea if Marik was killed since being a derro he was underground at the time and the rubble is still being picked through. You do know that Jacob was there with several Eyes and they definitely were killed. More disturbing is that while Cyrus did cause the destruction of the factory, there is evidence that he had help from the inside, implying that he’s been managing to secretly influence the weak minded peasants.
A few Svelk merc bands have been redirected to hunt him down, but so far they’ve only succeeded in taking out his thuggish followers.
The only good thing is a second factory was already in the process of being built and should be up and running soon.
None of this really helps you on the war front however since you’re still having to make do with old weapons and are continued to be out classed technology wise. You personally are starting to feel the drain from having to use magic constantly. You’ve been trying to curb your manpower losses with superior tactics, but it still isn’t enough.
You’re not even assigned where the fighting is at its most fierce, you can’t imagine the carnage that’s been going on at the other fronts, but you’ve heard it’s pretty brutal.
Year 23
“Sir our new shipment is finally here.” Captain Redis reports.
“About time. I’m sure you’ll all be happier being able to exchange gunfire with the Felkans rather than catching bullets now.” You reply.
“True, but thankfully your magical shields caught a lot of them.”
You aren’t sure if your sergeant is being genuinely thankful or is making a joke, but in any event you’re glad of the new weapons coming in. New shipments have been going out to all of the Felkan battlefronts ever since the “last shadow” problem has been taken care of. The svelk actually came through and managed to track Cyrus down. You’re glad they finally came in useful for something.
While Marik survived the destruction of his factory (Thanks to reinforced derro architecture) there’s been no word on the Emperor’s replacement for Jacob, but then you’re guessing any competent “bean counter” will do as long as the Emperor decides they are worthy enough.
While Jacob may be dead, the Eyes live on and they have been doing their best to tighten up internal security despite being stretched thin. Surprisingly, you’ve heard that Captain Roldan was put in charge of them.
Last year was definitely a bad one, but this year is starting to look up. At last you’ll be able to effectively fight the Felkans and you won’t have saboteurs running about the Empire.
“We’ve also received reinforcements. Most of them are new recruits, but they should at least be good enough to fire the new weapons sir.” Redis continue.
“Captain, why don’t you have the troops test out those new cannons and muskets we’ve got. The troops probably need the practice anyway.”
Captain Redis acknowledges this command and leaves your presence to carry it out. It isn’t long before you’re hearing the sounds of explosions and gunfire. The problem is this is followed by several screams.
You exit your tent and see your war camp in chaos and in flames. You grab Captain Redis who is trying to re-establish order.
“What the fuck is going on? I thought these weapons supposed to be inspected before they even left the damn factory!?”
“It’s happened again! Someone has sabotaged the shipment!” Redis exclaims.
You curse and start bellowing orders for everyone to stop running around like a kobold with its head cut off. You tell nearby soldiers to get the wounded to the medical tent immediately.
“I thought the fucking svelk took care of Cyrus! I heard they dragged his bolt ridden body back to the capital as proof!”
“They did, but not all of his followers! Down with the Empire!” you suddenly hear a half maniacal voice exclaim which is followed by a gunshot by a musket which hasn’t been sabotaged. Its one of the new recruits.
You feel a bullet pierce your skull and then nothing at all as your body falls to the ground.
Cyrus may have been killed, but his influence outlived him and now it has outlived you as well.
Months pass and things don’t get much better. Cyrus is still on the loose and has actually succeeded in destroying Marik’s factory. You have no idea if Marik was killed since being a derro he was underground at the time and the rubble is still being picked through. You do know that Jacob was there with several Eyes and they definitely were killed. More disturbing is that while Cyrus did cause the destruction of the factory, there is evidence that he had help from the inside, implying that he’s been managing to secretly influence the weak minded peasants.
A few Svelk merc bands have been redirected to hunt him down, but so far they’ve only succeeded in taking out his thuggish followers.
The only good thing is a second factory was already in the process of being built and should be up and running soon.
None of this really helps you on the war front however since you’re still having to make do with old weapons and are continued to be out classed technology wise. You personally are starting to feel the drain from having to use magic constantly. You’ve been trying to curb your manpower losses with superior tactics, but it still isn’t enough.
You’re not even assigned where the fighting is at its most fierce, you can’t imagine the carnage that’s been going on at the other fronts, but you’ve heard it’s pretty brutal.
Year 23
“Sir our new shipment is finally here.” Captain Redis reports.
“About time. I’m sure you’ll all be happier being able to exchange gunfire with the Felkans rather than catching bullets now.” You reply.
“True, but thankfully your magical shields caught a lot of them.”
You aren’t sure if your sergeant is being genuinely thankful or is making a joke, but in any event you’re glad of the new weapons coming in. New shipments have been going out to all of the Felkan battlefronts ever since the “last shadow” problem has been taken care of. The svelk actually came through and managed to track Cyrus down. You’re glad they finally came in useful for something.
While Marik survived the destruction of his factory (Thanks to reinforced derro architecture) there’s been no word on the Emperor’s replacement for Jacob, but then you’re guessing any competent “bean counter” will do as long as the Emperor decides they are worthy enough.
While Jacob may be dead, the Eyes live on and they have been doing their best to tighten up internal security despite being stretched thin. Surprisingly, you’ve heard that Captain Roldan was put in charge of them.
Last year was definitely a bad one, but this year is starting to look up. At last you’ll be able to effectively fight the Felkans and you won’t have saboteurs running about the Empire.
“We’ve also received reinforcements. Most of them are new recruits, but they should at least be good enough to fire the new weapons sir.” Redis continue.
“Captain, why don’t you have the troops test out those new cannons and muskets we’ve got. The troops probably need the practice anyway.”
Captain Redis acknowledges this command and leaves your presence to carry it out. It isn’t long before you’re hearing the sounds of explosions and gunfire. The problem is this is followed by several screams.
You exit your tent and see your war camp in chaos and in flames. You grab Captain Redis who is trying to re-establish order.
“What the fuck is going on? I thought these weapons supposed to be inspected before they even left the damn factory!?”
“It’s happened again! Someone has sabotaged the shipment!” Redis exclaims.
You curse and start bellowing orders for everyone to stop running around like a kobold with its head cut off. You tell nearby soldiers to get the wounded to the medical tent immediately.
“I thought the fucking svelk took care of Cyrus! I heard they dragged his bolt ridden body back to the capital as proof!”
“They did, but not all of his followers! Down with the Empire!” you suddenly hear a half maniacal voice exclaim which is followed by a gunshot by a musket which hasn’t been sabotaged. Its one of the new recruits.
You feel a bullet pierce your skull and then nothing at all as your body falls to the ground.
Cyrus may have been killed, but his influence outlived him and now it has outlived you as well.
