Balada: When death did not exist, nor yet Eternity Part I 014

Volun 4, the position of the 378th.

Month of Caliupus, 10th  

5:52

“Is everything in position Adrian?”

“Ye my lord, we just await you’re order.” He replied

“Very well, the sun’s about to come up so you may  give the signal for the attack, no sense in wasting the cloak of darkness since we’ll need all the help we can get.” he ordered and Adrian nodded and left to occupy his respective post in the upcoming battle.

Metternich plan was simple, Valyria along with Horatia, Oscar, Dalius, Antonius and Georgaian would begin a frontal a.s.sault on the enemy, while at the same time the forces of Tarkan and Werner which were now lead by their new commander would perform a pincer maneuver from behind after crossing the forest south of the mountains.

He walked towards where Butz was waiting with their spider-wolf jeep, and after getting into the gunner’s seat he took a picture from his pocket.

 It was taken only a month before the pirate incident that got him shanghaied into the navy, in the picture where his friends who were also his original crew, they were from all over the galaxy but all were happy and smiling.

 Nostalgia gripped him as he gazed at his old life, before that fateful day when it was changed forever, before the war, before they all left to fight each other.

He gazed at his old friends, his eyes lingering on Jonathan who had left them that day to pursue other ventures.

He missed the old days, Jonathan in particular for he was his best friend.

“This is it Jonathan, another day, another battle, I’ll win it or at least make a big enough mess to run away from it, wish me luck and I hope you are all alright.” he said to himself and he placed the picture back in his pocket as all around him his command started the a.s.sault, and with that the battle armor he was wearing all of a sudden became very, very heavy and uncomfortable, and his stomach started aching again as anxiety for the battle gripped him .

The uniform he had been wearing was still beneath that armor. He was wearing the newest model battle armor, namely the AP2- 587 and like its predecessor the BGY, it was about the same shape, but with a few improvements such as various hooks and rings across its body to make it very customizable in terms of what the wearer could carry, it had an internal heater and air conditioner which helped maintain the comfort of the wearer.

Its surface skin had a special rune spell imbedded into it that allowed it to change colors, making it an essential feature for ambushes and remaining undetected by the enemy.

 The armor carried an oxygen extractor for underwater breathing, and an air pack for zero G s.p.a.ce combat if necessary.

Metternich’s armor was the same model the rest of the Imperial army used, with the exception that his shoulders where lined with fur and he strangely wore a leather long coat over his armor, one that reached down to his feet.

Metternich‘s helmet was also unique, in that it was a cylindrical shaped one that encased his head, the helmed was a dark golden-coppered color and had a series of circle like b.u.mps that covered most of its surface, the shapes where clearly designed to divert and deflect sword blows from the wearer’s head.

At forehead level, a sculpture of a pair of eyes was encrusted into the design; its purpose was according to the ancient beliefs of his ancestors to ward off evil and danger.

Also the back of the helmet that was at eye level together with the sides that protected the ears had sculptures of battles his people had fought with their four holy weapons: the bow, the saber, the falx-falcata and the two retiarius weapons, and though he did not consider himself a warrior he could do a decent job with his ancestor’s sacred tools.

The helmet was made to be serviceable, intimidating, to shown one’s rank to the ally without alerting the enemy and above all to ensure its users survival.

That and it looked pretty sweet!

But he had no time to ponder his battlefield fas.h.i.+on choice, since the battle itself was about to begin, so he clasped his hands, closed his eyes and prayed.

“G.o.d in heaven, help me and my army and navy, please give me strength to survive and see to it that as many of my warriors as is possible survive this battle, also……………..also please make sure that as few  foes die as well, and  for those that do, be they enemy or Imperials, please make sure they do not suffer and forgive them and us for what we are about to do.” he prayed to his G.o.d, made the holy signs of faith and piety and then turned his now opened his eyes to what lay before him.

Above him the roar of the clouds was heard, as a storm was brewing and despite himself Metternich gave out a smile of relief, for the storm could help mask their attack!

He opened his eyes as the thunder from heaven was joined by the thunderous roar of hundreds of earth breakers and chariots that opened the battle.

The fight for Volun 4 had begun!