An Uneasy Alliance with the Shieldmaidens

Under the cover of darkness, we moved through the thick jungle. The world was a wall of black, but through the green-hued lens of our night-vision goggles, we navigated with practiced ease. The civilian, however, slowed our pace considerably. We fell into a tactical file: Bard at the rear, watching our six; Cutter on point; and me a few meters behind him with Cera at my side, a steadying hand on her shoulder.

About half an hour later, our heartbeat sensors chirped. Cutter held up a tightly balled fist, the universal signal for contact. "Unknowns, three o'clock," he muttered over the radio. We dropped to a knee in unison, weapons trained to our right. Instinctively, I pushed Cera to the ground and shielded her with my body.

"Most of their smells are human," Cera whispered, her nose twitching. Peering through the dense foliage, I caught glimpses of movement, the shapes of heads. A full minute passed. They remained motionless.

"We know you're there!" Bard's voice cut through the silence. "Show yourselves!"

"We won't hurt you!" I added, my voice projected to carry. "We assure you!"

"Show yourselves now, or we will open fire!" Cutter commanded. His voice dropped to a low growl for the radio. "Listen up. If they don't come out in sixty seconds, light 'em up."

"Wilco," I replied.

"Copy," came Bard's voice.

Just then, figures emerged from the trees and shrubs. I spotted archers perched on high limbs and brought my rifle to bear, but Cutter shook his head sharply. I lowered my weapon. Emblazoned on their armor was the royal coat of arms of Albia. He was right; a blue-on-blue incident was the last thing we needed.

The figures on the ground advanced, and we rose to a low ready, watchful.

"Are they… women?" Bard questioned, his voice laced with confusion.

I took a closer look. Long hair and distinctly feminine builds confirmed it. One woman stepped forward, her regal bearing marking her as the leader. She stopped a few meters from us. I flipped up my NVGs for a better look. Her eyes were a piercing, intense blue, and her silky, light-blond hair was held back by a delicate tiara. She exuded a natural authority, her armor far more elaborate than that of her warriors.

"Who are you?" she asked, her voice firm and resonant.

"Who's asking?" Cutter retorted, getting to his feet. He motioned for us to stand.

She tapped a gauntleted finger to her ornate chestplate. "I am Commander Morwenna le Fay," she declared, leveling a finger at us, "leader of the Shieldmaiden Legion and granddaughter of His Highness King Alaric Penhaligon of Albia. Now, I ask again. Who are you?"

"The only thing you need to know," Cutter said with the unshakeable confidence of a career soldier, "is that we're working with the Knights of the Azure Cross, under direct orders from Her Highness Princess Aurelia herself."

From the ranks, a white-haired fox-girl with a naginata stepped forward. She looked to be about Brielle's age. Her gray eyes glared at us, hot with anger. "Her Grace asked for your identity, not who you work for!"

This time, I spoke up. "My leader means no disrespect, but you must understand our standard operating procedures forbid us from revealing our origins, our country, or even our names. To do so would compromise our mission."

Rage tightened the fox-girl's features. "Do you know who you're talking to? Do you savages realize you've disrespected the princess?"

I deliberately relaxed my grip on my rifle. "I understand your concern for your leader's safety," I remarked calmly, "but procedure is procedure."

Before she could retort, Bard lowered his facemask. "Hey, listen! My friend is trying to say we can't tell you anything about us, you dumb fuck! Seriously, a marine grunt could understand that, so how the hell can't you? Did you even pass your basic exams?" Oh, shit. He’d lost it.

The gray-haired girl's jaw clenched. "H-how dare you insult me, you insolent commoner!" she shrieked, and lunged at Bard with her naginata.

"Yumi, wait!" Morwenna yelled, but it was too late. The fox-girl was already on him.

"Taaah!"

Bard didn't flinch at her war cry. His gaze was locked on hers. He met her charge with a smirk, dropping his SCAR and sidestepping the lunge with a speed that caught everyone off guard. A single, precise punch to the face sent her sprawling to the ground. The other Shieldmaidens stiffened, their hands tightening on their weapons.

"Get up!" Bard snarled, moving toward her. "Is that all you've got?"

I rushed between them, pushing him back. "Goddammit, unfuck yourself, Bard!" I snapped. The fox-girl wiped at her bloodied nose and drew a dagger. "Hey! Hey! Put that down! We're on the same side!"

"I don't care which side you're on!" she growled, stalking forward. "Filthy mercenary dogs like you need to be disciplined!"

"Get off me, asshole!" Bard shoved me aside, ready to meet her charge. "I need to teach this little brat some respect!"

I glanced back and saw Cera trembling. "It's okay," I told her. "Stay there."

Yumi continued her advance, her grip tightening on the dagger. She bared her teeth in a vicious snarl, but I noticed something strange: tears were streaming from her eyes. The other Shieldmaidens exchanged confused looks.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Cutter questioned, his tone calm yet forceful.

"None of your business!" Yumi retorted.

"You can settle your score with him when we're back at base," Cutter said, approaching her nonchalantly. She whirled, aiming the dagger at him. "Do you realize you're trying to pick a fight with my man behind enemy lines? Think about what happens if the enemy finds us!"

Her anger now shifted to our squad leader. Bard, ironically, remained silent.

"Yumi… stand down," Morwenna commanded, her voice sharp. "I said… stand down!"

Yumi spat on the ground and grudgingly returned to the formation.

SLAP!

The sharp crack echoed in the tense silence. Morwenna had struck her. The fox-girl stumbled, her hand flying to her cheek. "Y-Your Grace?"

"What on earth were you thinking? You disobeyed a direct order!" Morwenna barked.

"I-I'm sorry, milady… but they…"

"I ordered you to stand down! If you harm an ally, you will be severely punished! Worse, you could be executed because of your race!"

Yumi's fox ears drooped as she bowed her head. The commander sighed, and her tone softened. "Don't do it again… okay?" The fox-girl nodded. "Now, return to formation and do nothing unless I command it."

"I understand, milady," she said, rejoining her place in the line. I saw some of the other girls sneer at her.

Morwenna turned back to Bard. "I apologize for my soldier's actions, sirs. Yumi is still new to our order."

"I know FNGs can act that way," Bard replied, rubbing the back of his head. "No, no, it's okay. I also apologize for my temper."

"Thank you for your forgiveness," she said. Her gaze shifted to Cera, who flinched and hid behind me again. "Tell me, where are you headed? And who is she?"

"This is Cera," I said. "She's the only survivor we found in Fenrir's Hollow."

"Survivor?" Morwenna's expression was one of shock. "Does that mean—"

"Correct," Cutter confirmed with a somber nod. "The rebels attacked the village before we got there. We're going in to rescue the prisoners and complete our mission." Gasps rippled through the knights as they began to whisper amongst themselves.

"What is your mission?"

"Simple. Evacuate all civilians from Fenrir's Hollow before the loyalist counter-attack," Cutter stated, his gaze sweeping over us. We nodded in return. "Sorry, ladies, but we have a job to do. The prisoners won't save themselves if we stand here talking until sunrise." We turned to leave.

"Wait!" Morwenna called out. We paused and turned. "We are here to get our girls back. Do you know anything about them?"

Cutter raised an eyebrow. "Your girls? We found several bodies just outside the village. They bore your knighthood's emblem."

"What? All of them were killed?" she asked, her voice trembling with sorrow.

"We found twenty bodies," Bard stated grimly. "How many did you send?"

"Twenty-five," she whispered, her head bowed. A wave of anxiety washed over her soldiers as they murmured about the fate of the five missing women. "It's my fault," she muttered, her expression filled with regret. "I underestimated their strength. I endangered them."

I knew the feeling well. The weight of command, the gnawing worry for your comrades. The soldier's creed: bring everyone home, dead or alive.

"Let us go with you!" she pleaded, her eyes locking onto Cutter's. "There's a chance my girls were taken prisoner!" A murmur of agreement went through her soldiers, their faces eager.

"Sir, I suggest they accompany us," I said to Cutter. "They can act as a security element and guard Cera while we infiltrate the base. I can't protect her and fight effectively at the same time."

"Got it," Cutter agreed with a nod. He looked to Morwenna. "You can join us, but on one condition."

The commander nodded. "And that is?"

"All of your soldiers, including you, will follow my commands. Is that clear?"

Their gazes met, commander to commander. The tension returned, thicker than before. Finally, breaking the silence, Morwenna sighed. "Understood. For my girls' safety, I'm willing to do anything."

"Okay. Thank you for your cooperation," my captain said with a nod. He twirled a finger in the air. "Everyone, gather 'round!" The knights complied, forming a semi-circle around him.

"Bard," Cutter said. The big SEAL handed him a tablet. Cutter placed it on the ground and tapped a control on its surface.

A miniature, three-dimensional model of a military base materialized in the air above the device. A few of the knights let out startled gasps. Even I, accustomed to our own technology, was impressed by the fidelity of the holographic display.

"This is the rebels' Forward Operating Base," Cutter explained, gesturing to the hologram. "It's how they've been able to launch countless attacks into our territory, and it's the most likely place they're holding the hostages."

"Are you sure this is the place?" one of the knights asked, squinting at the tiny hologram. "I mean… it's too small for a person to fit inside."

Cutter's jaw tightened for a second. "This is a map," he snapped. "According to this, the base is hidden deep in the forest, giving them perfect cover from aerial reconnaissance. To maintain concealment, they haven't fortified it with outposts or walls."

"So, this is going to be an easy mission, right?" another knight asked with a grin.

"Wrong, babe," Bard said. "It'll be the opposite. They own this terrain. They know every inch of it. If they detect us, we're screwed. Most importantly, these are trained soldiers, not farmers with pitchforks."

"Okay, let's continue," Cutter said, drawing their attention back to the hologram. "As my man said, that place is heavily guarded. We'll be using the principles of stealth: swift, silent, deadly." Everyone nodded.

"The plan has three phases. Phase One: My men and I will infiltrate the base and locate the prisoners. While we do that, Bard will move to their supply depot and plant charges. Phase Two: After we free the prisoners, Bard will detonate the charges. That will be your signal. Commander le Fay, you and your knights will move in and help us extract them to a safe area. You are not cleared to engage until you see those explosions. Is that understood?"

"What's the signal again?" Morwenna asked for clarification.

"Explosions," Cutter repeated firmly. "Without that signal, you do not attack. If you jump the gun, the chances of saving your girls and the villagers drop to almost zero. And finally, Phase Three: We neutralize all hostiles, free the remaining prisoners, and hold the position until the main force arrives." Cutter paused. "I need someone to return to base and request reinforcements from the Army."

"I can… sir," Yumi, the fox-girl, volunteered, raising a hand tentatively.

"Okay, Yumi. You can go," Morwenna said. Yumi gave a single, flat nod and melted into the night.

"One last thing," Cutter said, placing a hand on Cera's shoulder. "I want you to protect this girl, no matter what."

"I understand," the Shieldmaiden commander replied. "It will be done."

"That's all," Cutter concluded. "Let's get moving!" With that, we were Oscar Mike.

We continued our advance toward the enemy FOB, our combined force now thirty-three strong. Every sense was on high alert, ready for anything.

"Halt!" Cutter hissed, his hand clenched. We froze. The knights immediately complied, melting into the shadows behind rocks, trees, and bushes. "Spread out and take cover."

From our concealed position on a ridge, we looked down upon the enemy camp. It was teeming with rebels, possibly seventy to eighty of them. While some were drinking and carousing, others were torturing prisoners for sport. Through my binoculars, I watched in horror as they decapitated an elderly dog-man.

"Fuck," Bard swore from his position nearby. "You seeing this?"

I nodded, my blood boiling. These savages were no better than the worst rebels we fought back home. I saw them drag young dog-girls into a clearing and begin tearing at their clothes. I lowered the binoculars, my stomach churning, unable to watch anymore.

"Enough of this!" one of Morwenna's archers cried, nocking an arrow.

"Return to formation, now!" Morwenna half-yelled in a harsh whisper.

"I… I will kill those bastards…" the archer murmured, her hands trembling and her face a mask of pure fury. "I won't let them do such horrible things."

To prevent a complete clusterfuck, I did something that startled everyone, even Cutter and Bard. I moved to her side and pressed the muzzle of my silenced rifle against her temple. "I won't hesitate to kill you to protect our cover," I said, my voice dangerously low and cold. "Get back in formation now, or I'll put you down."

Morwenna looked at her knight and shook her head slightly. The archer, clenching her teeth, lowered her bow. She shot me a look of pure hatred before turning to Cutter. "I do this only because Her Highness commanded it," she spat. "You are not my master. You have no right to order us like servants. Her Highness has never threatened one of us like that." She then stalked back to her position.

I let out a slow, controlled breath. "I know all of you want to jump down there and kill every last one of them. To be honest, so do I. But if we do, we compromise the mission and get everyone here killed or captured. That's why I will always follow my commander's orders," I said, glancing at Cutter. "Because I know he will always make the right call."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Cutter said, then addressed the assembled knights. "Before we continue, I need to tell you something. I've served my country for over ten years and fought in wars more brutal than you can imagine. I've lost good friends to bad orders and incompetent leaders. From that, I learned how to be a good leader—how to give orders that not only accomplish the mission but also protect the men and women under my command."

He sighed. "I know some of you think I'm treating you like servants, but I'm not. I'm doing this so we can finish our mission without any of us getting killed. I don't want you to just follow my orders. I want you to trust me. Is that clear?"

A moment of silence hung in the air, then a unified response came from the knights. "Yes, sir!"

"Thank you," our leader said with a faint smile. A girl's scream from the camp below brought us back to the harsh reality. "Let's go, people! The prisoners can't wait any longer!"

"Understood," Morwenna nodded, positioning herself and her knights to await our signal.

"Bard, you're on point," Cutter commanded.

"Roger that."

Bard moved like a shadow toward the enemy base, and we followed close behind.