Liberi Reader

His journal indicates that the defenders of Chetleigh are in dire straits.

See the crossing on the other side? The ferries have been sunk. Horn's squad has been completely cut off from the outside.

Two days ago, this soldier tried to cross the river under the cover of darkness, but was shot by the Sarkaz patrolling on the opposite bank.

There is no word from the troops that were garrisoned in the city hall.

The Camus River runs to the east and north side of the plaza. The crossing to the east is under Sarkaz control. The lights coming from the south should be the Sarkaz camp.

They've holed up in the city hall for more than two weeks.

If the journal is accurate, the last bridge that connects the city hall to the residential district on the other side of the north bank was attacked no less than two days ago.

It's possible that they're cut off from all supplies.

Out of ammo, out of food.

What do we do?

If we have the time to worry about that here, we might as well just cross the river and see for ourselves.

We can't just cross without a plan, Hannah. If we're discovered—

Actually, Hannah's words made me think.

We've been unable reach Horn's squad by radio. Restoring communications is our first priority.

Me, Hannah, Morgan, and Dagda will swim across the river and see what the situation is inside city hall.

That's too dangerous, Vina!

You realize that we're the best people for this job. The only people for this job.

We're Rhodes Island operators. Small squad spec ops is our game. And we're Norport gangsters, who know how to get into a place and get back out again unnoticed.

We have a few volunteer soldiers and civilians who want to offer their support for the legendary Tempest Platoon. But there are only so many people we can bring...

We need people to stay behind for defense, with Lieutenant Shearer gone.

I know what you're thinking, Delphine.

There are personal sentiments involved, but I can't ignore the SOS.

They're good soldiers, and they'll be of help if they're still alive.

Alright... I trust your judgment.

Stay behind with these men, Delphine. We need to keep watch.

If you lose our signal, take them and get out of here.

Alright.

Come back alive.

Okay, we're on the bank. Keep your eyes out for any patrols.

Two Sarkaz standing guard at the crossing. One to Hannah's 3 o'clock, another in the building.

Roger.

Draw the attention of the first, and Hannah and I will do this together. Three... Two... One... go!

Vina!

Got it!

A military fowlbeast. You spooked it, Hannah.

Sorry, I didn't notice.

No sign of Sarkaz. To the city hall.

Lots of bodies on the plaza, but it's too dark to identify them. Ready to go in.

I see the bridge that connects the residential district, but the barricades on the other side of the bridge are blocking the view.

Go to the top of the city hall, try to get a better vantage.

Roger. Hm...

The entrance has been boarded up.

Over here. A gap has been blown in the west wall, wide enough for us to go in.

Good... do you see Horn's squad?

Not yet.

Stop! Something's moving. Radio silence. There's a crossbowman in the building watching the residential district, allegiance unknown. Watch for my sign.

*Sarkaz profanity* What's that sound on this frequency? Who *Bzzzz—*

I see you.

Siege here.

Horn, Tempest Platoon. Do you hear me?

We got your SOS. We've confirmed your location—the bridgehead at the residential district, on the other side.

We're coming to help.

Sorry about that. The men are excited for our first bit of support.

We should be able to talk normally now.

Horn, we can help your squad evacuate—

Thanks, but we're not evacuating. There's something in this town that the Sarkaz want, and they won't abandon their assault.

The nearest Victorian battalion that received our SOS will arrive within one week. We must guard the entrance until then, and ensure the safety of the survivors of Chetleigh.

*Radio noise*

We voted on this. The decision was unanimous.

Including... Misery. Much obliged.

Then...

If you choose to gamble, I have an even bolder plan. Care to hear it?

It's almost dawn. How go the preparations?

The windows and doors are being reinforced. Misery's been cleaning up enemy sentries.

I'll continue to keep a watch on the outskirts.

I'll get in touch if there are any changes at the camp.

Thank you, Misery.

We were supposed to meet up at Brentwood when we split up at Londinium. Why are you here at Chetleigh?

Misery noticed something unusual when we passed by. We got here in time to see a massacre, and we couldn't just walk away.

Are you sure you want me to be in charge? You're a professional soldier, Horn, and Delphine had elite military training.

I know what you guys did at the Mausoleum of Kings. You brought back that sword for us.

Just a piece of metal.

P-Piece of metal? It's Victoria's Realmblade...

Stop thinking about the Sighs of Kings. This might disappoint you, but it won't bring any miracles.

We're the only ones we can count on.

And it's enough.

You're right.

You've proven as much.

We don't have the personnel, condition or resources to implement complex tactics. What we need for the coming fight is courage and determination.

In the face of disaster, the human spirit is much more important than any legend or artifact.

Prove it, Siege.

...Alright.

Most of us are not professional soldiers. We'll just tell them to take the high ground and shoot any enemy that approaches.

The few of us here will form a response team to take out any Sarkaz that gets past.

Horn's squad will continue to defend the bridgehead position, create a fire zone.

They will continue to fend off the Sarkaz trying to get across the bridge, as per the original plan.

This building is the first line of defense. We'll be in the thick of things.

All we need to do is to defend one building. How hard can it be?

The Defense of Camus River—

Hey, that was what I was going to say! It would make a great movie.

Quiet, Hannah. Patrol approaching from 1 o'clock, hundred meters out. At the ready.

Shall we fire, Siege?

Now! Open fire!

My brothers will tear you apart, standing on my corpse, *Sarkaz profanity*...

Ugh...

I prefer to be the one doing the tearing, if that's all right with you.

It's almost ninety seconds, Delphine! Ready to pull back!

Roger! Bentley's down! I'll fill the gap in the minefield.

Mines are too precious to just leave out there.

You have fire support from the third floor.

The underground passage that connects the city hall's basement to the bridge has been cleared! Now the wounded have some space.

You took a nick, Morgan. Are you okay?

Not good enough to hold a knife, but I can coordinate things in the back.

What about your side, Hannah?

You're asking the expert of destruction. I could smash a hole in the ceilings without any extra equipment, and we have wooden ladders set up so that we can move quickly between the floors.

Good. We can't have another situation like yesterday, when we couldn't get to Dagda in time.

I filled the gap in the minefield! Bentley's still breathing, so I'm taking him into the basement for treatment.

Is Dagda awake?

Awake, but she can't be moved yet.

She's been trying too hard. I'll do my best to care for her.

Is there any news from the Sarkaz camp? They may be planning something else, after the assault on the building failed.

Can you find any more mines to expand the minefield?

I'm afraid not. Our Sarkaz friend's mercenary band isn't so easy to find.

We'll have to count on my *static*—

Witchcraft *static* signal— disrupt *static*—

Something's disrupting the signal?

It's —*noise*—

—Del *static*— Run—

Delphine?

You're finally up.

I... my head hurts...

You didn't pull out in time while rescuing the wounded yesterday, and got caught by the blast of them test firing the war altar.

Yesterday...? War... altar? Where's Ben?

Hah, looks like we've both missed a lot.

Ach, my back still hurts. Morgan sucks at stitching. Oh, Ben's alive.

Who... who brought me back?

Hannah. She saw that you were still outside and jumped out from the third floor to drag you back in.

She just woke up herself. She's gone off to support Vina.

These are the wounded?

It's pretty bad. We need to hurry.

The mines are pulling their weight. Two of the war altars have had their undercarriages disabled, and the rest have stopped.

They've stopped their advance.

We can bombard the position you marked at any time!

Careful! The war altars are still charging. They haven't abandoned the assault yet!

Alright, listen up, you berks. The next round of bombardment is about to begin. Anyone still on the first and second floors, get your arses up the third floor!

That thing can only shoot so high!

I believe that its witchcraft core is powered by its operator, the altar itself acting only as a medium.

So it'll blow itself up if its witchcraft core is destroyed when fully charged?

In theory, but I've never seen it in action personally. I can't guarantee—

That's good enough. I'll go up to the roof to look for an opportunity. The only way to approach the core is from above.

Can you distract the operator for a little while when the altar is activated? Every second helps.

...Will do.

Vina—

Welcome back, Delphine, Dagda.

The Sarkaz have deployed these weapons en masse?

I don't think so. I believe it was developed by the Military Commission in Victoria. The design is still very rough around the edges.

Delphine, you look reasonably well for someone who just woke up from being knocked unconscious.

Morgan has been taking care of you two with one hand.

Hannah!

Thanks, Morgan. And Hannah.

Sorry about the trouble.

It was a piece of cake.

Alright, everybody, listen. I want rid of those altars, and for that I need help.

I need bait. Someone to stay here and keep those things firing...

Sounds like a job for me.

I can do it too—

This is no time to be acting tough. I know better than anyone else here how terrifying those things are.

Your hand's still injured, Morgan. I'll be the one to work with Hannah.

......

I need someone else on standby to take over the attack if I don't succeed. Misery can only buy so much time for us.

I'll do it.

What about me, Vina?

Morgan... keep an eye on everyone.

......

They could fire at any time.

Not exactly a great feeling to be in that thing's crosshairs.

Misery?

Whenever you're ready—

Do it.

No... Vina!

*Cough*... *cough*...

Watch out! They've replaced the artillerymen and are preparing to fire again!

Dagda!

Everyone, take cover!

Get down, Morgan!

Hngh...

Vina! Vina!

The altars are still exploding! Look out!

She's fainted! Damn, the metal shards got into her chest! Someone help me out!

Bring her back! Don't let Originium dust into the wounds!

The Sarkaz are retreating!

Hannah! Look! Over there!

Battleships? Reinforcements? Really? Th-That's the standard of Duke Gododdin!

It's... it's over...

It's over! We bloody made it! We did!

Ben! Ben! Look, we're saved! Ben? Ben...

Those damnable devils are trying to run! After them!