Written By: Robert Whitmore

Walking Casually to Sickos prepped gunship. The beautiful Elven vessel. The main fuselage shaped like the MH-53 Helicopters of old but with 2 nose mounted laser turrets and turret bulges from just in front of the main door. Going to the upward curved tail stopping short of 3 feet from the fuselage. To the top engine compartment where a pair of wings spread out curving down away from the body. Getting into the main compartment. Ariel already inside nods to me the other ladies behind me also climb into the compartment. Speaking over the unit channel. “Ok Sicko we are ready. Let’s head planet side.”

The Doors either side of us close shut and hiss as a seal is created. Looking forward through the front cockpit as the gunship. Lifts of the deck. Hovering towards the main hangar doors. Sickos relays over the ship channel.

“This is Alpha 3 0 ready for departure from United over.”

The female Voice of the on duty deck officer speaks back in reply. This is united bay control. Alpha 3 0 you are clear for departure. Good luck out there Lord Finwe.” 

I respond on the channel. “Thank you very much United Alpha 3 0 out.” 

The doors start opening as Sicko pushes the gunship out into the black of space. The flight is mainly uneventful just like so many of our other planetary entry flights. Smooth until we hit the atmosphere and a rocky ride until around 20,000 feet where either the rest of the flight is smooth or the sky lights up with explosions of Anti aircraft weapons. Then the real fun begins. This though would not be one of those flights. Noticing Ariel’s head hang low. I slowly make my way to her. “What’s wrong young one?”

Looking up she speaks out. “Sorry Lord Finwe it’s just the last time we did this my mother Fey was here too. Still can’t believe she is gone now.”

My mind summons up the last view of Fey before she died in the final battle in the war of the demon horde. Taking my right hand under her helmet and pushing her visor up to look at me. “She died defending the wounded. That is the way she wanted to go. Defending those under her care. All 28 wounded she was defending made it out alive. Think about what her actions did. They too will always be grateful for her sacrifice. Don’t ever forget that young elf healer.”    

Somewhere around 2,000 ft Sicko opens up the cabin doors.looking ahead through the front cockpit. Viewing the landscape below. Seeing a nice spot I inform Sicko. “Sicko, looks like a nice spot to drop us in over that forest near the small village. Hover over and Sev and I will repel in to clear the site before you land.”

He replies with a node and “Yes Sir!”

 Descending further to the ground just above the treetops with a slow lurch the gunship stands to hover just above a clearing in the forest. Pulling out my LR-15s and Rappel line. Hooking the end of the rappel line on the roof webbing. Tossing down the rest of the line looking at Sev as he too is ready on his line. Bladorthin aka deadlock announces out. “ Ground is clear, green light to go.” leaping off the side controlling the descent by squeezing the line. Once on the ground quickly letting go of the line and bringing my rifle up to shoulder position. Scanning the perimeter and slowly walking around. Sev mirroring my patrol perimeter. “Perimeter clear take her down Sicko.”

Sicko gently lowers gently through the trees until 3 feet off the ground. Springing forth from the nose and sides are pairs of wheels. Finally setting down on the ground humming of the engines reverberating to a stop as the others get out of the gunship.

“Ok people we will setup camp here. Seren, Cadfael and Arianwen come with me we will scout out the village ahead.”

Galadriel immediately starts getting gear from the gunship. Seren comes up front Her light blue and purple marked armor glistening with the evening light. Pulling her Bow over her shoulder grabbing an arrow and notching it. Over the unit channel she ushers. 

“Finally in the field. This feels so good. Maybe later I will be able to take my armor off and enjoy the breeze.”  

Placing my left hand on her shoulder staring into the black visor.

“Mission first then you can relax, ok.”

Lifting my left hand from her shoulder all fingers open then cuffing my hand in a fist signaling the order to form up. Cadfael and Arianwen ready their rifles and saunter up to us. Leading them out through the trees we make our way slowly till the trees break away into a large open field of bright green grass. The wind swaying gently moving the grass like waves on an ocean.

Quietly speaking over the unit channel. “We need to cross this open ground. Keep your weapons at the ready.”

Cadfael and Arianwen raise their rifles up to ready position while Seren pulls halfway on her Bow. raising my own rifle to shoulder position we begin trudging across the grass. Upon getting within 25 feet of the small village gate, raising my hand to halt the squad. We listen for activity but hear non. Entering through the gate the streets lay vacant. Stepping down the main street after a few buildings Cadfael finally speaks.

“This is weird where is everyone. Buildings are buildings. What really makes a village are the inhabitants that live in them.”

Stopping again. Ushering out some quick commands myself.

“Cadfael Arianwen take the perimeter search every house around. Seren go to the Tavern at this time most folk would be there resting and enjoying a good brew after a long days work. I will check out the main hall. If you find any people call out.”

Proceeding our own ways I headed further into the village towards the prominent building looming proudly over the roof lines of the much smaller buildings. Finally reaching the Hall with its intricate woodwork and carved wolf heads on the corners. Lowering my rifle gently pushing the big oak door in. inside is nothing but darkness. Compared to the exterior the interior is what is to be expected of a small hall. Open space with pillars either side. Fire pit in the very center and at the head end rests the high seat. Investigating the fire pit my helmets Heads up display system scans through the embers and wood. Apparently this fire has been smoldering for the better part of a week now. 

“I found the Villagers.” utters Seren’s voice over the unit channel. “All are here in the tavern…..um…..resting.” exiting back through the hall door heading to the Taverns location.

Waiting outside stands Seren as my Children Cadfael and Arianwen turns around the corner. Seren shows the sign of being very uneasy. Holding her bow very tightly and rather close to her. 

“Something is not right here Seren. Usually a tavern with people would be noisy.” questions Arianwen. Seren reaches out pushing aside the door. Cadfael enters first. Quickly he stammers out.

“Um Father there certainly is something wrong here.”

Following him looking around eyeing all the skeletons sitting or fully collapsed on the ground. The disturbing part off all they all still have their clothes on. Cautiously walking further finally resting my gaze on a particular Tavern customer sitting on the bar with a scrap of paper. Lifting his hand speaking out through my helmets open speaker.

“Mae’n ddrwg gennyf aflonyddu arnoch chi.” grabbing the scrap of paper and gently resting the man’s hand back on the counter. Reading the note out loud on the unit channel

A terrible evil has entered here. Many have gone crazy and others just disappear in the forest of beast. My darling Wife Greta my time here is short please if you ever find this letter know that you are the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Love always your husband Laurence.

PS. beware of Nyarla

The rest of the writing is so poor it is not legible. Rolling the letter and stashing it in one of my utility belt pouches. 

“Everyone out now let these poor people rest in peace.” 

Sprinting back to the Forest and where the other elves have set up camp. Bursting through the trees into the campground. Galadriel my Wife is first to notice. 

“Let me guess what you found was not good was it?” she retorts to me.

“Oh we found the villagers all right. The skeletal remains that is…..wait how did you know?” replying back to her.

Nëastar gets up gracefully sliding over the ground to us.

“Brother I felt a great magical disturbance in the air. What ever happened it might have affected the whole world.” she says in her normal sweet harmonic voice. 

“Ah alright then. We will need to be cautious tomorrow. We may not be alone out here.”

The Night does not bring any easy sleep. None of the normal nightly sounds echo out here as if the world is completely devoid of life native to it. 

Soaring above the ground we started early this morning packing quickly and on our way to the next sign of civilization. 

“What is the plan this time Lord Finwe?” Asks Sicko.

“The plan is to hover overhead and scan for life. Thus saving time.” I reply to Sicko.

Flying right over the large town spotted earlier. Deadlock gets the scanners going. A minute passes before Deadlock reports his findings.

“No life signs here my lord what’s next?” 

“Fleet do you copy over.” Speaking over the main channel.

“This is Indefatigable what do you need Lord Finwe?” comes the reply.

“The areas we have searched have no life. Can you scan the planet for any other life signs?” Asking the Indefatigable.

“Copy that scanning now give us a minute or 2.”

Minutes go by as we still hover over the town. Finally Indefatigable responds again.

“We picked up 1 life sign though it is very faint. Transmitting location to your computer now.”

Seconds later Sicko replies to Indefatigable.

“We have the Coordinates Indefatigable thanks for the assistance. Alpha 3 0 out. Looks like the location is 200 miles east from here. At top speed we will be there in 15 minutes.” shouted sicko.

“Go for it.” I reply back.

The Gunship lurches sharply as the humming sound of the engines increases and we hit the top speed of 600 MPH. 

Crossing over plains, forests and other towns we finally come out over a large rock outcrop. Halting over a long chasm in the center area of the rock outcrop Sicko says.

“Here we are right over the coordinates.” 

Looking over the side activating the Helmets Infrared vision. Getting a small faint trace down at the bottom.

“Yep there is someone or something down there. I’m going down to retrieve them.”

  Popping the Hatch for the Winch as Galadriel mans the cable itself. Hooking myself onto the cable hook. Leaning out letting my feet leave the deck as Galadriel starts lowering me down into the chasm. Fending off my way from rocks the cable jolts unexpectedly. Quickly shouting back.

“Cyson Nawr!”  

Getting to the bottom at last my hud placing a Cursor over the lifeform. On closer inspection this being is Humanoid in nature. Grabbing one of its arms I roll over the person standing with the person draped over my armored shoulders. Clipping myself back to the cable giving the hand sign to lift. Once getting to the Deck Ariel is the first to give me aid in helping lifting the person off my shoulders. Once we lower her to the deck Ordering Sicko to head for R.E.S. United. Ariel goes into her Medical bag and grabs a small sensor scanner. Scanning the person then looking at the readout.

“She is unconscious but alive. She is reading as some kind of Humanoid fox. I could revive her here or should we wait until she is in my Medical center?” Ariel exclaims.

“Wait for our return. Not only do you have better medical care but if she starts getting violent it will be easier to control her.”

Ariel nods to me in understanding. Outside the clang of the United’s Hangar doors signal we have returned as The side doors slide back revealing the large open space of the hanger packed with Crew, gunships and Fighter craft. The Dwarf Egil stands by holding a stretcher. Unfolding the unit between Ariel and Egil ( Pronounced Ea illl.) Left the female Fox unto the stretcher. Carrying her out to the medical facility.

Minutes Later in the Medical Center. Ariel injects something into the fox’s arm. 

Her breathing begins to get faster and more pronounced. Upon opening her eyes she looks up right at me now with my helmet off. 

“Eich effro o’r Diwedd. Croeso I’r Unedig Llong Elven.”

She looks at me quizzically. So I repeat myself in English.

 “Your Awake at last. Welcome Aboard the United an Elven ship.”

Translation of Elven (welsh)

 Mae’n ddrwg gennyf aflonyddu arnoch chi- Sorry to disturb you 

Cyson Nawr- Steady now.