Securing Valuable Assets

Spartan stood in the top room of a tower, watching the mortar defense. Half the men were dead or incapacitated, including the backup reserve. He had no idea if the pyros had begun the burning of the mountain. At least one of the two planes was down. His only concern was how long it took, and that one was still managing to stay in the air. It was going to be a long night.

“You wanted to see me, sir?” Albrecht asked as he stepped into the room.

Spartan kept his eyes on the battle below. “Yes.”

“It’s about boosting the mortars, isn’t it? Viking already asked about it, and unfortunately I would need more time to figure it out.”

“I was afraid you’d say that,” Spartan grunted. “In that case, I need you to focus your attention on getting the R&D boys ready to evac the castle.”

“Are you sure it will come to that?”

“For you there’s no question. You and your team are valuable.” Spartan watched as a few more men were gunned down by the plane. “For the rest of us, though, it might come down to it.”

“Curious,” Albrecht said softly. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

Spartan raised an eyebrow. “What day is that?”

“The day the renowned Spartan would consider running.”

“The day?” Spartan laughed at that, despite watching more good men fall dead. “Only a liar would deny wanting to run from war. Or a fool.” He finally looked away from the carnage. He was at his limit with that. All those strategy games he played back home, and not one of them prepared him for this toll. “We must fight until we can’t anymore. A full evac might be necessary in the end, but we need to ensure our civilian assets are safe. What does your team need?”

“It would be too much to say everything in there.” Albrecht grit his teeth. “You’ll want our weapons research, I’m sure.”

“Of course.”

“We’ll take what we can, but some of my boys may find it difficult to part with some of their projects.”

“Thankfully those projects can be recreated. I’m going down there after you. I want to personally make sure your team makes it out of here alive before the Khardi pyros light up the mountain.”

“Where do you want us to go?”

“In the direction of Jürgenstag, but I don’t want you making contact with the town. I just want you to get close. I’ll send you with an escort to help you boys out there. They will make contact with Calentine and his men. I sent them out already. Whatever happens, you have to get out of the crossfire long enough to stay alive. You’ll find out if you have to flee to Resturia soon enough.”

Albrecht nodded, his face blank. “Very well. If it comes down to it, it’s been a pleasure knowing both of you. I only regret not knowing more of the world you came from.”

“So do I.”

Albrecht left to begin preparing the departure. Spartan took his time, rounding up whoever he could. There were ten men in R&D, including Albrecht. He didn’t want to sacrifice effective covert mobility. A five-man escort should do the trick. They would be about twenty once they met up with Calentine’s men. Still not too many to sacrifice mobility or stealth. No officer was given the task to lead them. Castle Drügeldorf needed those officers, and even if one was available it was bad form to flee as a leader. He also didn’t tell any of the real high-rankers what he was up to. He knew there were a couple cowards who would take the opportunity to run. Spartan kept his eye open for a certain kind of man.

His first find was in that very tower; a sniper firing from a broken window. Spartan tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. There were enough guns on the planes. The second was a man he recognized from training. This soldier’s hand-to-hand prowess made Spartan wish he could spar with him, but he feared the fight would only exacerbate his injury. The third was a man he sent as a spy to Staffel months ago. A very unassuming gentleman at first glance, but Spartan knew better from reading his reports. He found four and five together. They were shaking, trying to talk each other into a calm bravery. Spartan silently commended them for that. Besides, what better candidates to motivate everyone in staying alive?

Once he had those five men, he gave their orders. “Escort the civilian assets from R&D south toward Jürgenstag, but keep them out of the town and off the main roads. Once you’re there, you need to try and make contact with Lieutenant Calentine. He’ll be around the area. You will all go with him and his men.”

“Only the R&D boys? We’re not taking any of the women?”

“No.” Spartan hated himself for saying it. “All of the women here are nurses, and I’m afraid we may need all the medical help we can get.” Women did not belong on the battlefield, but unfortunate concessions had to be made. On top of that, he didn’t want to pile more people into the group. He already thought the eventual twenty would be pushing it.

He brought those five men to the astronomy tower, where Albrecht was already directing the packing process.

“Are you ready to go?” Spartan asked him.

“Now? But there’s still some things we could pack up...”

“Now.”

Albrecht grumbled, but he didn’t talk back. He passed the order on to the others, who grabbed what they could and lined up. Spartan introduced the two groups to each other and repeated what they were all to do. He also informed the civilians they were to listen and follow the orders of their escort.

“You will all follow me,” he finished. “I know one way out of the castle that’s out of the way.”