Burning Skies Saloon

[Gryphos]

Nidhogg ducked underneath one of the Wyrm's swipes and stung him again in the belly, to little effect.

What kind of armour is this?

Then, while the sword was still dug into his gut, the Wyrm grabbed the sword blade and held it in place, even with his unguarded hand. Blood started to pour from his hand, but he cared not. No matter how hard Nidhogg  pulled he could not get it free. The Wyrm, with his other hand, pulled out a knife and stuck Nidhogg in the chest.

Nidhogg fell back, blood gushing from his chest. The Wyrm, dropping the sword, pulled out a pistol and pointed it directly at Nidhogg's head.

Wyrm
"How does it feel? Dying. Does it hurt? Have you accepted it? Well, if you haven't, you'd better do it now."

He cocked the pistol. But just then the Wyvern above them went up in flames, and then was destroyed by a ram. Pieces started falling from the sky.

Wyrm
"NO!!!"

Nidhogg started spluttering blood, but he still managed to speak.

Nidhogg
"How does it feel? Did you love that ship?"

Wyrm
"You know what? If the Wyvern goes, the whole city goes with it!"

He pulled the detonator from his coat and held it aloft.

Wyrm
"Let this be a baptism of flame!"

[Surette]

Surette nodded to acknowledge Plasma as he ran off before Surette was able to get a word in. Now that Plasma pointed it out, Surette realized it had been quite a while since the two last crossed paths. But that would have to wait for another time. He watched on as Plasma delivered a perfectly aimed mercury shot to the galleon's fuel tank. Surette realized now that more and more ships were coming over, he'd need to stay aboard Serenity if he wanted to lend any real support. He steered his way towards The Pointy End and asked his crew to tune the adjust the radio channel to await any orders.

[N-Sunderland]

The voice came out of nowhere.

"Yes, let it be so."

The Wyrm spun around. As fast as his reactions were, he had no time to react. Not only that, but the voice wasn't coming from behind him.

The Wyrm's face burst into flames. He dropped the detonator, and ran away screaming, before falling after a few seconds. His body lay on the armoury floor as the flames fizzled out.

Standing on the prow of a Pyramidion about 20 metres up...

...was N-Sunderland with his portable flare gun.

[Gryphos]

Nidhogg watched the Wyrm's death as he lay on the floor. He smiled as he saw the Wyrm crumple and die, but then turned his head to his brother's body. Even now, he still could not speak on the matter and tears started to fill his eyes. He turned his head again to his sword, laying on the ground a few metres away. At this point Nidhogg knew he would die, and he was afraid. And with what little energy he had left he hauled his body along the floor. It was only a few metres but it seemed like leagues. When he finally got hold of his sword he laid it along his body as he rolled onto his back.

I guess adventure... takes its toll...

He gave a tiny chuckle, before taking a breath, for the last time.

[Sgt. Spoon]

Spoon chuckled at Lockheart's comment as he turned to see the "fireworks" that developed over the armory.

"Well... *leaning on his cane* looks like they got em"

[N-Sunderland]

Sunderland to all

"Sunderland here. I got Wyrm down. All charges and the detonator have been removed and dismantled. Nidhogg and Tristan are dead, no time to pick up the bodies yet."

There was silence on the radio.

"Look, we'll mourn later. Right now we have a battle to fight. Yiski, where do you want me?"

[Sgt. Spoon]

Lockheart's radio:
_{" ....no time to pick up the bodies yet."}

Spoon:
".....skies ... Wasn't that the other man with the sword in the bar last night?"

"HUZZAAAH!"
Before Lockheart could answer they suddenly got interrupted by a wave of war-cries, raging from the area around the wall. New lines of baron infantry could now be seen charging their position.

Spoon:
"Holy, we gotta fall back!"

As the attackers charged the remaining defenders drew back into a pacing retreat up the streets, keeping as much supressing fire as possible to slow the charging forces down.

[Yiski]

--Southeastern Gate--

The fighting seemed never-ending. Wave after wave of Baron troops threw themselves against the Defender's line. While each wave ended in failure, the line lost a few Defenders. Still too many by Yiski's account. If the loss kept up at this rate, the line would break and the city overrun with Baron troops. The line was the last line of defense between the Barons and Anvala's batteries.

Yiski took additional shots killing a Baron for each bullet. After a few shots, the next pull of the trigger gave Yiski an empty click.

"Flak. Empty."

Yiski didn't have anymore sniper rounds and had one clip of both rifle and assault. Althea, too, was running low on ammunition. Everyone was.

_Defender
"Commander! Many of us are running low. If this keeps up..."

_Yiski
"I know."

_Althea
"Orders?"

Yiski looked about the battlefield. Taking a few deep breaths, it seemed to start moving in slow motion. Defenders and Barons shooting, killing, dying. Yiski gave a hard gulp.

_Yiski
"I... don't know."

--Harrowing Hawk Barons Fleet--

Roy sat at the helm of his galleon with two loyalists watching him and more down below watching his crew. Before departing, the loyalists decided it was best to keep Roy and his crew together to prevent any sabotage. The loyalist also stripped much of the armor off Harrowing Hawk to deter him from turncoat or kill him quickly should he do so.

Roy looked on through his spyglass and could tell the battle was against Anvala. Roy then felt a small poke against his back. It was a loyalist with a pistol poking him.

_Loyalist
"Get going. We have orders for you to barrage the city and don't think about doing anything... hurk!"

Two shots rang out. One loyalist had a round put into his head. The one poking Roy had his arm shot and fell to the ground. The loyalist soon found himself surrounded by Roy's crew.

_Loyalist
"What... you... you're DEAD TRAITOR!"

Roy kicked the loyalist's arm and he yelled in pain. Roy then ordered his crew to throw him over the side.

_Joe
"You realize it won't be long before they'll shoot us down."

_Roy
"Yeah, but not before we make their life miserable. I wanted the hwachas occupied five minutes ago!"

The crew of the Harrowing Hawk scrambled below deck and prepped her hwachas with incendiary and burst rounds. Joe came back to Roy on the helm.

_Joe
"All loaded. Oh and captain *saluting Roy* an honor serving with you."

_Roy
"Better me than our 'King'. Oh and pop the blue." *taking a long deep breath* "FIRE ALL!"

As Joe popped a blue smoke on the Harrowing Hawk's top deck, the rest of the crew fired the four hwachas on the other galleons in its formation. Roy could see the smoke and flames of busted guns, engines, and bodies of burnt and blown up airmen. Roy smiled. It lasted for two seconds.


--Southeastern Gate--

Yiski was on top of a rooftop which could over look the walls. He and anyone else with enough height could see the blue smoke as well as a sizable number of galleons on fire and smoking. Yiski knew the blue smoke had to be Roy.

"Damn Roy you sure know how to..."

Yiski's thought is cut short when he sees the remaining galleons, goldfishes, and pyramidions open fire and obliterate the Harrowing Hawk. Yiski stood for a few moments before Althea nudged him. Yiski then realizes Roy's sacrifice gave Anvala some breathing room. Anvala's fleet was now facing the backside of most of the Baron ships and Roy's barrage had caused a few ships to break formation.

Yiski called over the radio.

_Yiski
"I don't think you need me to say that this is now open season."

[N-Sunderland]

"We've just seen a mighty captain go down."

Sunderland stood still for a few moments.

Gunner

"Lieutenant?"

Sunderland

"His sacrifice won't be in vain. Those Galleons are exposed. Let's make them regret ever coming near this flaking city."

The Duck Pharaoh charged into the weakened ships, obliterating them one by one.

[Sgt. Spoon]

As the defenders were pushed back even further they'd entrenched themselves behind the wrecked remains of a building, now shattered across the road. There they sustained heavy fire from the masses further down the road. Gunfire and rifle-grenades roared over them as they struggled to keep the line. Spoon was hunkered down behind a small piece of brick wall, picking off shots as often as the hail of bullets would allow.

Suddenly a rifle-grenade hissed right beside him as it exploded and threw him to the ground. Vision blurred and legs numned he noticed a flyer lying on the floor in front of him. When he looked at it he couldn't believe his eyes.

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

DYLAN THACKERY AND HONEY THE KID

REWARD $500

His eyes fell on the right picture of what appeared to be a wanted poster.
Badger?..no...


When he got to his feet he could suddenly hear cheering. Looking up he saw the enemy Galleons had stopped their bombardment, and were now getting fought themselves.

Lockheart:
"Haha, finally a little luck!"

Seeing this, the defenders on ground started to try and push back down against the baronian infantry again, regaining a previous lost foothold.

[BdrLineAzn]

Admits the confusion after Roy's sacrifice, Niko's, Zankif's, Melin's combined force of mercenaries and Baron defectors rises above the wall and into the middle of the Baron fleet. The twenty or so ships has gotten iside heir formation conducting hit and run tactics. Too close to one another, the enemy didn't have much time as they combined forces weave in and out of their formation.

Back in the Baronies, King Gregor and the men of Melin's division ate formulating a plan to over take the new king and his government. As of last night breakout, a new resistance has formed towards the new reign as part of the population are helping in anyway the rescued King.

Inside one of the underground shelters where the wounded are kept. In one of the rooms, BdrLine stirs in his sleep and is now suddenly wakes up. Still under medication, he sits up and looks around his surroundings. Pulling out the IV, and getting out of bed, he stumbles as he tries to put on his armor and equipment. Holding his wound, he looks out the door to check for any of the medical staff and sneaks out top side. BdrLine notices the damage the Baron onslaught has made, and multiple times he had to duck from bullets. Once he finds a secluded building, he takes out his rifle and adds a scope and goes to a window. In an advantageous position, he over sees Yiski and the others on one side, and the Barons on the other. Taking aim, he unloads his 14 round magazine as he snipes the attackers.

[Yiski]

--NARRATOR--

--Anvala--

Amiss the small chaos caused by Roy was critical. The Baronies galleons were either out of commission or out of position and majority of the remaining fleet were out of position. A chunk of the out of place goldfishes and pyramidions were an easy meal for the fair number of batteries and ships.

Without further bombard support, the Baron infantry were being driven back. When western recons report no ships incoming toward the Gauntlet, Yiski pulled all those batteries and troops to the east. Fresh batteries and troops reinvigorated the Anvala's fleet and defenders below.

Hours passed and it became evident the battle had become one of attrition, a battle Anvala was excellent at. However, to get to this point, many sacrifices were made, sacrifices which still put Anvala close to the edge of defeat.

The Baronies' fleet was heavily battered. Of their massive fleet, only a few handful of vessels were still combat ready. Their squids were decimated during their suicide runs. Most of the goldfishes and pyramidions littered the plains surrounding the city. Finally, only three galleons were still operational. They still had the advantage of a handful of infantry transports which sat far back during today's siege.

Anvala also took a heavy hit. Despite the overwhelming fleet odds, Anvala lost a third of her fleet. Her Defenders fought valiantly in repelling those who entered her on foot, but a quarter of her men were lost. Anvala's advantage was her vast ammunition storage. Ammunition which would have been scarce had Wyrm succeeded.

More hours would pass when nightfall arrived. The skies were clear and the moon was full giving plenty of light to see the remaining Baronies fleet pullback, but not retreat. Failure was not an option for the Barons fleet.

Given the well-lit evening, Yiski ordered rotating shifts for the evening. Those who were picked or volunteered were given strict orders by Yiski.

_Yiski
"You see somethin' comin' in, don't bother yelling. Just start shootin'. It'll get all our attentions."

The evening would last for what felt an eternity, but Yiski (and everyone else) knew, by morning, it would all end in an instant.

--NARRATOR END--

--END OF DAY 126--

[Yiski]

--START OF DAY 127--

--NARRATOR--

The morning sun did not shine upon the remaining Baronies' fleet. Before dawn of the third day of the siege, they made one last rush in an attempt to force their infantry inside the city again. Consequently, with the arrival of the Gauntlet's batteries and troops, all of Anvala's batteries were replaced with a few extra placements. The remaining Baronies fleet could not handle the revived batteries, let alone the majority of the Anvalan fleet which had survived two days worth of hell.

Hours would pass before the sun touched the plains around the city showing the results of the three-day long siege. Heaps of twisted metal and tattered balloons along with countless bodies littered the plains.

Once recon units from all angles brought reports of no other sizable fleets heading for the city, the Council declared a victory and immediately ordered the arrest of Yiski for insubordination. A sweep was done by Elites to locate Yiski, but he wasn't found at the Eastern Wall or Southeastern Gate. They searched for him at his saloon, but only found a freshly written letter addressed to BdrLine.

Further sweep of the city, the Council learned a certain Commander, a Lieutenant, a squid, and its crew were missing.
The sweep also revealed a former Admiral, an AWOL Yeshan officer, a junker, and its crew had disappeared.

--NARRATOR END--

--END OF THE END OF DAYS--

--EPILOGUES--

[Plasmarobo]

Plasma glances around the wreck of the city.
The victory had been hard-won, the loss on each side massive. Somehow, they had managed to beat them back.
He exhales, lowering himself onto a sizable chunk of debris, leaning on his gun.

Anvala wouldn't be the same after this. The defenses would have to be rebuild, and the Council would be in direct control of the military. It was time to leave. There were other places to go, and life as a Freelance pilot, or even privateer might not be so bad. But he needed to get away from this place.

He pushes himself up using the rifle, rips the badge off his shoulder, and walks to the Administration building.

--Later, Military Dock--
 
The pilots of the BreakPoint and CounterPoint nod to him as he enters the hangar, one smoking a thick cigar. He ignores them, striding up to Captain Verra.

_Plasma
"Captain, I'd like to formally tender my resignation."

Verra glances sidelong at him. Her hands, which had been busy examining the damage done to the helm control systems, halt. She turns, scanning him with reproving eyes, and takes the folder he offers.

_{Captain Verra}
"I'm surprised Lieutenant. I assume this means you're leaving Anvala?"

He nods, avoiding the eyes of the captain.

_{Captain Verra}
"It appears I may be in line for advancement, assuming they continue to fail to locate the Rear Admiral."
She grimaces, the job historically offered little in the way of survival prospects.

_{Captain Verra} 
"I doubt very much you will be able to visit. Policy on spies being what it is, and probably will become. But if you do get the chance..."

She shrugs and Plasma nods.

--Later, Civilian Docks--

It wasn't much, but Plasma marshaled his savings an managed to purchase a Small vessel. A transport. His contacts in the military allowed him to pass with a cursory search. He sincerely hoped it would no cause trouble for those he was leaving behind. He chuckles to himself as his ship slips from the docks.

_Plasma
"I think Cathedral is nice this time of year."

The wind dances as the engines sputter, then roar into energetic determination. The little ship and it's owner lift into the wide open skies.

[Gryphos]

--Fjord Baronies, Lord's Leap--

After the defeat of the usurper's fleet at Anvala, the loyalist movement, backed by many powerful lords, acted quickly to evict the usurper and reinstate King Greger. One of these lords was Harald Valtivere, a man around his fifties with rapidly greying hair tied in a loose ponytail, who practically led the assault on the king's palace. With most of his forces crushed, the usurper was powerless and surrendered immediately, his punishment to be decided on a later date. As he was pulled away by guards, Harald Valtivere led cheers of victory, before being addressed by a messenger. The messenger also carried, on his back, two long objects wrapped in cloth.

messenger
"My lord, I bring word from Anvala."

Harald
"Yes my lad, what of it?"

messenger
"The city held out for three days, taking many casualties, and destroyed the usurper's fleet."

Harald
"Haha! What a fool he was to assault Anvala."

Just then a servant came by offering glasses of wine, which Harald gladly took one of. he took a sip, before addressing the messenger again.

Harald
"Oh, by the way, have you received any word from my son Tristan, has he convinced Nidhogg to return home?"

messenger
"Well, that's the thing... I'm so sorry."

Harald's expression turned from joyful to inquisitive, then from inquisitive to one of pure shock and terror as he watched the messenger take the two objects from his back. He knelt down, placing them on the floor, before unwrapping them to reveal two swords, still stained with blood, and bearing the insignia of house Valtivere on their blades.

The glass of wine shattered on the ground, spilling wine all over Harald's boots, but he cared not for the state of his boots anymore. He gave a roar of rage and sorrow as he collapsed to the ground over the two swords, coddling them as, in the background, some servants carried in two body bags, and laid them on the ground.