Chapter 228: Chapter 228: Names of the Fallen

December 15th, 625

Things were silent for a long while inside the helicopter. I eventually made it to one of the seats, my adrenaline fading and the pain in my head turning my vision blurry.

My hands shook as I took out a cigar, after a few tries I cut one end messily. Umara had to use the lighter and help me.

A few puffs of that smoke helped with the pain slightly, dulling it enough for me to function properly. I had drained just almost every drop of Psyka I had. I was actively regenerating it, but the process hurt my brain.

Uamra held my hand, but so many things were going through my mind that I almost didn’t register the sensation of her fingers slipping into mine.

A healer from the Templars with us was tending to the wounded. There were few. In total, the amount of people that made it out, not counting the Templars, numbered 11. Just four Chiefs from the Snow Doves, myself, Umara’s 5 man squad, and Nonnen.

Only 11 remained of an initial 400 troops. We had lost two Brigadiers, almost all of our Chiefs, those remaining being the luckiest of them. Even they were barely alive. Two had mortal wounds and lost limbs that the healer was stabilizing, one of them a knight, the other a warlock. The other two, another knight and warlock pair, were in better shape, though exhausted. One had already passed out.

Three of those four Chiefs had been rescued from the downed Steed. One of them had been a survivor of the massacre that ensued after Eric broke down the lines, barely managing to make it long enough to get supported by the Templars.

None of the Templars had died. Some were wounded, all of them were tired, but they showed no weakness. Their extreme training was evident in how they handled themselves.

I closed my eyes, the acuity of my vision overwhelming my mind for a bit as it tried to compensate for the darkness. It was either that, or I was sensing the Aura scramblers that the Templars were wearing.

“Hey, you guys mind turning those off?”

“Hm?”

The Templar Brigadier looked up at me, blood streaming down the armor over his arm. I opened my eyes again. It was definitely their scramblers.

“Whatever device you’re using to mess with your Aura. It’s irritating my own.”

“Very well.”

He nodded, the Templars all tapping the bracers on their forearms. The devices turned off, making their Auras clear and no longer irritating me.

I sighed, feeling much more at ease.

“Thank you. For that, and for your help today. I don’t think we would’ve made it without you.”

“...You are all soldiers that the Kingdom needs more of. We are glad that we were able to act in time, and sorry we couldn’t save more.”

“The traitor is my fault. Don’t be sorry.”

He simply nodded in response, everything going silent again. None of the Templars besides the leader spoke.

I knew they were here for a reason. I knew that the odds pointed to them being here to protect me. I was a valuable asset to more than just the Kingdom. There were a lot of people interested in keeping me alive.

But I wouldn’t question them. I didn’t feel like it. It felt like I already knew all there was to know.

But I still looked up again, at the largest person within the helicopter. After the devices went off I was now 100% sure. Tana seemed sure too. She was anxious.

I sighed, “Fancy seeing you here, Vetsmon. It would’ve been nicer to meet again under better circumstances, but it’s still good to see you.”

He looked up at me, staring at me before looking back at his leader, who nodded.

Vetsmon turned back and took off his helmet. I saw brown skin and short ragged hair. He looked battered. Compared to the last time we saw each other, he looked like a real man now. There was a bit more experience in his eyes. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

A real Knight who had been through his own battles and tribulations. He was incomparable to before, especially since I just saw him take on an Authority 10 Royal like any other enemy.

Authority 8, and an Aura of strength. I remember seeing his arm get slashed off and yet his body seemed to defy injuries. Perhaps his Aura was able to manipulate his limbs regardless of whether they were attached to him, acting like an invisible, persisting nervous system. He was a zombie that couldn’t be stopped. He could probably get decapitated and continue fighting. So long as his head didn’t get pulverized, he was okay.

Vetsmon smiled a bit, “It’s good to see you too, John. You’ve gotten a lot stronger.”

“So have you, you fucking freak. Getting limbs chopped off and using them anyway. How fried are your nerves?”

“Most of my training revolves around using my technique and pushing its limits. So, pretty fried.”

“Torture for training. That’s fucking hard. Well, it was no wonder I felt completely safe behind that shield. Nothing more secure than a knight that can’t die.”

He chuckled, scratching his head. I gave a small smile and motioned toward Tana. His eyes drifted toward her, anxiety increasing.

He hesitated, but still spoke.

“Hi, Tana. I’m… happy to see you.”

She looked up at him for a few seconds before taking off her helmet as well, blonde hair spilling out, some blood crusted on strands. She gave him a smile.

“It’s good to see you too, Vetsmon. You look good.”

“I mean I’m a bit bloody. I’m sure I smell too.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

She chuckled a bit. Vetsmon seemed a bit flustered.

My smile faded as I looked toward the Templar. He met my gaze and I waved him over to one side of the helicopter, standing from our seats, letting the lovebirds talk.

He stepped to my side and I took out my Aerial, bringing up a map.

“I’m sure you don’t want to return to the Treehouse with us. Where do you want to be dropped?”

“Here, please.”

He pointed to a location farther to the east. It wasn’t too far out of our way and their healer was getting our wounded in shape, so we could spare the time.

“I’ll give the pilot the location. Rest assured, I’ll keep you out of my records. I don’t need the Kingdom on my ass and I prefer to help my allies keep their secrets.”

“That will be appreciated.”

“It’s the least I can do. I’m sure you know more than I do but shit’s about to hit the fan. It’s safe to say the Snow Doves are out of the fight, for now. We’ll be recovering at base but I’m preparing to make my retreat to Stronghold Charlie when we either get our numbers replenished or when that Sovereign Class marches over, whichever comes first.”

“I imagine the highest echelon at the Treehouse is getting ready to flee,” His rough voice spoke with a hint of disdain, “I suggest you leave before they can use you as sacrificial fodder for their escape.”

“My thoughts the same. I just wonder if the entire western front is about to collapse, or if they’ll use Stronghold Charlie as they’re supposed to.”

He stared at me like that was a stupid question, and I agreed. I already knew what was going to happen.

What I didn’t know was how fast it was going to happen, and what it would mean for the places around the Stronghold.

I closed and wiped my eyes, settling my mind a bit.

Then my consciousness lapsed, and I snapped back into it when I felt myself falling.

I reached out and grabbed something metal, eyes shooting open to see a few people grabbing me.

The Templar pat my shoulder.

“You okay, Cooper?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

I straightened out, my hand finding Umara’s arm and snaking down to grab her hand.

“I’m just tired. Let me pass the location to the pilot.”

I shook my head, using the pain to keep me awake while I walked across the helicopter and up to the pilot seats.

Both were there, and I passed the location to the co-pilot, giving him directions before heading back to my seat, Umara holding my arm to stabilize me. I suppose I was stumbling a bit.

I looked over at her, noticing for the first time the blood across her face, spilled from her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Some of it had been wiped but it was mostly dried. She had pushed herself during the battle. We all had. I’m just surprised she was still lucid.

My forehead dipped down to touch hers once we sat. My eyes closed again as my tasks started running through my mind.

“I need to compile a battle report.”

“Mm.”

“We’ll need to… submit a casualty list.”

“Mm.”

She nodded absentmindedly. She was about as out of it as I was.

“We need to do refits, go to the garage and report equipment and vehicle losses… I still need to talk to Polly and go over strategy reports so we know what to do later…”

I didn’t hear her response. It was easier to think in the silence, with my eyes closed.

I still needed to go compile a list of those killed today. The Snow Doves would have to be reported first since they constituted most of the combat power lost. They were what the generals cared about.

Herdot, male, 27 years old, two brothers, one sister.

Emrah, male, 28 years old, one brother and three sisters.

Jean, male, 34 years old, one brother and one sister, father died four years ago, mother living at home with brother.

Sriniva, female, 31 years old, four sisters, both parents died from disease two years ago.

Ranerio, male, 26 years old, only child, widowed mother.

Gallter, male, 44 years old, married, one son, one daughter, ordinary wife, just started his third contract.

Algauta, female, 24 years old, engaged, three brothers and two parents, all ordinary.

Pranab, male, 36 years old, engaged to Algauta, two brothers, first son of Count Pandu.

Lan, male, 52 years old, widowed, four sons, three daughters, lost his wife a year ago to disease.

Achela, female, 58 years old, remained unmarried, one brother.

Leun, female, 33 years old, married to an ordinary man in the Capital, one daughter.

Gerul, male, 29 years old, boyfriend of Erasa from the Pathfinders, six brothers, widowed father.

Ron, male, 44 years old, best friend of Gallter, unmarried, has an illegitimate son with the daughter of Count Scaevo.

Fela, female, 36 years old, divorced, two sons, only child.

Leof, male, 62 years old, married, one son, two brothers, two sisters.

Sigen, male, 28 years old, six sisters, father is a veteran of the Snow Doves.

Dika, male, 39 years old, four brothers, mother was killed in action three years ago, all four brothers are in the military.

Eduart, male, 40 years old, married, eight daughters, two months from finishing his second contract.

Moise, female, 42 years old, widowed, one daughter, husband killed in action 10 years ago.

Ranga, female, 31 years old, one sister, four brothers, second daughter of Marquess Danda.

Roel, female, 39 years old, only child, daughter of Count Hjalmar.

Nzinga, female, 23 years old, one brother, ordinary parents.

Ramma, female, 58 years old, married, one son, bestowed the title of Viscount 8 years ago.

Bugsy, female, 30 years old, engaged 6 months ago to a summoner working in the Spire.

Robin, female, 27 years old, two brothers, recently advanced to Authority 9.

Amira, female, 39 years old, married, no children, designated successor of the Cemil Marquisate.

Every profile went through my head in the order of death, followed by every detail I had learned about their lives from what I had been told or what I had overheard.

I could imagine their lives, from beginning to the bloody end, my mind filling in the blanks, imagining the reactions of their families. There would come a time when I’d have to face them. This front of the war would lull, and the funerals would get scheduled.

It was disgusting, thinking that I was now a veteran of the Snow Doves. The four that remained were not a part of the original group when I joined. Nonnen and I were now the two longest standing living Snow Doves.

It was a source of great shame for both of us.

My eyes snapped open when I heard the hatch of the helicopter open. I glanced to the side, seeing the Templars leaving.

I stood and followed after Nonnen. He shook the hand of the Templar Brigadier. There was another team of Templars waiting nearby, walking over as the helicopter blades threw wind and sound over the biomat all around us.

After Nonnen and the Templar exchanged some words, the Templar walked over to me, extending his hand for a shake.

I took it, his voice rising over the chopping sounds of the helicopter.

“You’re a damn good soldier, Cooper! And I know you’re probably too smart to believe me, but none of their deaths are on you! You know you did everything you could, so mourn them, but don’t blame yourself!”

“I understand, sir! Unfortunately the fight isn’t over yet!”

“I know! But part of being able to move on, so you can continue fighting well, is forgiving yourself!”

He grabbed my shoulder, pulling me in a bit.

“I know men like you! There are men even smarter than you who dedicate their lives to commanding the war! And the ones who are able to persist are the ones who know how to forgive themselves! The Scourge demands sacrifices! You have to accept that they will be made!”

“I won’t accept that because I don’t believe they are worth my sacrifice! How can I send others to die if I’m not willing to give up my life as well?!”

“Because that’s not really how you feel, is it?!”

I had no response for that, and it made him laugh. He smacked my shoulder, his expression still hidden behind his helmet.

“We’ll be nearby, but we’re fighting our own war too! Don’t ever assume our help! Unless you want to ditch the Kingdom and become one of us!”

“Not right now! Stay safe!”

“You as well!”

We gave goodbyes, and I turned to look at Vetsmon and Tana.

They were off to the side having their own conversation. It hadn’t stopped since it started earlier, even though they had lapses of silence.

After getting called, Vetsmon wrapped it up, the two of them hugging for longer than normal before separating. Vetsmon put his helmet back on, looked at me, waved, and ran off.

I waved back and turned to walk back into the helicopter.

The wounded were still within, given recovery pills by the healer that maintained their health.

I looked between the four remaining Snow Doves, all Chiefs, the only ones that could endure being drowned by monsters after Eric had broken down the lines. Even then, they just barely lasted long enough to get saved by us. There were plenty of Authority 8 and 9 Royals that had swarmed the area. Thankfully Feiden and Umara were capable of killing that level of combatant, alongside the Doves that we had rescued from the first downed Steed.

But before the Templars could get to us, Doves had been killed right in front of me. They were drowned by monsters even as I held down Totenstahl’s trigger and eviscerated them with bullets. Some Royals were just too strong. Authority 9s weren’t easily brought down. They were tenacious, and I didn’t have the sheer power to take them out with anything less than entire belts of ammunition.

I was lacking power. My only strong suit was the ability to slaughter those at my level by the hundred and kill only a few above my level with singular bursts of massive power. I could hold off thousands on my own, as I did, allowing those with sheer strength like Umara and Feiden to do their best work.

But it wasn’t enough.

After some time, everyone was loaded back into the helicopter, and we flew back off toward the Treehouse. The ride was mostly silent. I had only spoken to inform the pilots that it was in their best interests to keep the Templars a secret. They agreed with me easily. Everyone knew that I could keep watch over them, making sure they didn’t do things they shouldn’t. The reputation I had built with the counterespionage division still stood.

With that warning given I went and sat with Umara, who had passed out. I held her, lest her limbs get stiff and she be uncomfortable.

I found myself dozing off more though. I tried staying awake but the cigar was only putting me under after dulling some of the pain. I needed a lot of sleep, but now wasn’t the time.

I only woke up twice, once when I heard sobbing from the surviving Doves, and the next when we touched down.

The hatch dropped and I stood, picking up Umara and carrying her as we walked out. Jasmine and Polly were both there to meet us.

I looked around. There were pillars around the Treehouse that had been installed many months ago. They deployed a massive magical barrier that blocked out the blizzard for the entire base. I didn’t have to walk out into numbing snowy winds thanks to them.

Healers brought the wounded away, including the Doves, Harsha, Tana, and Feiden. Nonnen refused to leave, and Umara and Jaya were relatively fine. I was also untouched.

The six of us walked to Charlie Company’s barracks. It remained untouched since we left it.

When we walked in, all of us saw all the trunks and beds on the first floor, personal items strewn around everywhere.

We stood there, silently, for nearly 5 minutes.

They wouldn’t be coming back.

I heard Jaya cry nearby, falling to her knees where she stood. Nonnen remained silent, even when Polly turned to ask me a question.

“All of them?”

“All but who you saw walk out of that helicopter.”

I turned to her, and she met my gaze.

“Eric turned traitor. He’s the reason we lost just about everyone.”

“I see…”

“I don’t know what’s going to be happening in the near future, but unless we get reinforced, we can only operate on the squadron level.”

She nodded, “You’ll remain the Snow Doves. There will be nothing that I’ll send you out for. You’re staying here, and we’re preparing to survive what’s coming. Unfortunately there are no troops to spare, certainly none that we can filter through to uphold your standards. There will be no reinforcements, but depending on the situation, you’ll simply work with other units.”

“Understood.”

Silence returned for a bit, Jasmine reaching down to help Jaya off the floor.

Polly sighed and turned to me.

“John, don’t worry about anything right now. We have some time, so go rest. You’re not hurt?”

“Not a scratch. I had good protection.”

“That’s good… I’ll call you when I need you. Go recover until then.”

“Alright.”

I nodded and walked off, heading up a floor with Umara still in my arms.

I settled us both on the bed. There was nothing other than sleep that could help us right now. There were probably a few minor wounds, perhaps a bone bruise of crack here and there, but our minds were more wounded than anything else.

I just needed sleep.

So I passed out within seconds of hitting the pillow and covering us both with sheets.