Chapter 19: Adrenaline

Bzz Bzz Bzz

It was noon, and Astrea was experimenting with Frederick at the workshop. They were designing crossbows that had string, and other compartments, made from giant tarantula silk. But a peculiar noise could be heard. Something they had never listened to before.
"That an insect?" Frederick started shaking with worry.
"They don't usually come at this time of day." Astrea said calmly as she pulled out a strange device from her pocket. She had a suspicion about the source of the noise.
It might be the contraption the militant gave me...
And as she got it out from her pockets, sure enough;

"I hope you can hear me, I don't have much time, so I'll get to it." A muffled and distorted voice could be heard from the device. It was the soldier they came across with Gregory near the spider's den. Even through the distortion, Astrea could tell he sounded anxious and troubled.
"I can hear you."
"Hey, what is that thinga ma jig?" Even though Astrea completely understood the situation, she hadn't told the others about this, so Frederick was rightfully confused. He crossed his arms for a bit, but then continued working on the crossbow design.
"Good, we are under attack right now, our base."
"And?"
"We might not make it, they might just kill us all for all I know... no one knows their plans. All we are sure about is that they are hostile."
"The wizards?"
"If that's what you call the flying maniacs who produce disasters, yes."
"Can we help right now?"
"Not a chance, it's too far away, anyway, I need to tell you something. Our base is south of the place we met. If you continue from there, you will arrive at a natural bridge, the Na'hram pass. The wizards have set up shop though in the civilian bunker in front of the pass, just like I'd told you. It's gonna be a dangerous trip, but if you can make it to our base, weather we are still alive or not, you'll be able to acquire our equipment. Weapons, armor, heck, even supplies.
"I understand. Thank you."
"How many people are out there in the wastelands?"
"In my settlement about thirty or so, but there's more outside."
"Gotcha, I hope we'll get through this battle. After that we'll be able to evacuate all of you. Stay strong."
After that, the device stopped producing sounds, and a weird feeling of loneliness and fading hope remained in Astrea.

"So... you wanna explain to me what that thing is?"
"We should continue working now. I'll tell everyone tonight at dinner."
"If that's what you want..." Frederick sounded displeased and defeated. Normally he would try to get the information he wanted more, but he knew Astrea didn't budge when she made a decision.

And with that, they continued working on designs in a make shift workshop type building.

***

Military base, South Carola border.

"You ready, Viktor? Who were you talking to anyway?" A soldier called to his buddy. They were about to launch a surprise flank attack on the invading wizards, as they had planned nights ago.
The strategists in the military base concluded that when the wizards would inevitably make their move, they would be moving along the Na'hram pass, as their flight abilities we limited.
Wizard aviation spells were quick and nimble, but futuristic military jetpacks outclassed them when it came to long distances and stability.
So as the wizards would continue down the pass, straight towards the base, two teams of soldiers would go behind them from left and right, to ultimately encircle them. An ancient war strategy that proved its effectiveness throughout history.
"These crazies are to confident in their tricks. They aren't even considering strategy. Let's go."
And so a group of soldiers launched high up in the sky, to go after the wizard's backside from the left flank.
"If we make it out alive, I'll owe you a beer!"
"We run out of alcohol two days ago, David."
"Stay focused you grunts! We still don't know if they've spotted us or not." Even though his comrades were joking around, Viktor stayed focused on the objective. This would be a decisive battle after all.

So there are survivors in the desert... Now wonder these bastards have set up a base over here. They don't want anyone to make it out of the desert. But why? Are they just sadists?

Even though Viktor was trying to stay focused, many thoughts run through his mind. He had just come back from a scouting mission where he came across two survivors, signalling that there are more people out here, surviving with tooth and nail in the harsh desert. He had to save them.

"Right! Now!" All of the soldiers in Viktor's squad heard his command, and just like a flock of migrating birds, they all turned to the right to encircle their enemies.
"No bogeys spotted here. They've left their back undefended it looks like."
"You think they'd care about that? These fuckers are just out for blood, if I-"
"No unnecessary comments in the intercomms. This is a crucial moment." Viktor's voice was stoic and immovable. His face could not be seen from outside due to the gray painted, futuristic military helmet, but just by his voice and manners alone, a masculine figure could be imagined.

"Team Ro in position. Waiting for your signal, Lamda." The leader of the other flank team reported in.
"Lamda in position. Let's go."
No one could tell from a glance at these men clad in military armor, and they weren't talking about it either, but naturally each one of them was worried. It was a mutual feeling, that of their hearts racing with anxiety and adrenaline. The flanks were a risky move, but they knew it was even riskier to try to win against the wizards just with brute strength.
They were flying high above waters, far away from the pass, out of wizard's vision. This scene was the deciding factor of the battle, and possibly, for this world as a whole.