Art of Warfare (AOW): 2

[King Acunasti]

"That's a long time." Aurore said. She smiled...almost in an envious matter. "I congratulate both of you. Happy marriage is a rarity these days."

__________

"The Hessian soldiers have broken into the main wing." one of the soldiers stated.

"TO ARMS!" an officer shouted.

"It is only a matter of time before they reach this area!"

[Eltee]

Alazhai drew a pistol, and held it to Al-Kadari's head. "Don't move."

Jalil smiled happily. "Thank you, so much, Majesty. I am sure you will find love, too, someday!"

[King Acunasti]

Spoiler:

PLOT TWIST!

"I've been engaged for a year." the Queen whispered to Jalil and Sophie. "We've kept it well hidden. He does not want such an extreme amount of media attention."

__________

Immediately, every officer and soldier in the room had their weapons pointed towards Alazhai.

"You would go against the will of God?" Kadari murmured.

[Eltee]

"God might forgive me. Not you. Not any of you." Alazhai spat.
He pulled the trigger.

"Really? That's amazing, I'm happy for you!" Jalil said.

[King Acunasti]

"I am announcing it on national television tomorrow." Aurore stated. "I am a bit nervous."

__________

The Al-Klarest soldiers went mad as their primal leader fell to the ground, emptying each and every one of their weapons into Alazhai's body.

A moment later, the sealed doors were blasted in. Hessian Army soldiers opened fire. After a fifteen-minute gunfight, there was complete silence.

Al-Klarest casualties: 28

Hessian Army casualties: 0

[Eltee]

Alazhai lay stunned on the floor. Despite the bulletproof vest, he was extremely badly wounded.

"Well, congratulations!" Jalil said.

[Ilikeskooma]

Akelin was about to say that it hadn't been a complete mess, but then decided against it. "First off, I really don't want much support from you. Just to discuss Global matters and small trade agreements. And if it really interests you, I'm about to send someone to Hessia to errr fix the mess I made." Akelin said calmly.

[Eltee]

"And, what is it you can offer me?" Aiya asked.

[Ilikeskooma]

Akelin shrugged. "the mountains give us many resources, gold, silver and the like." Akelin replied.

[Eltee]

"Hm. Well." Aiya thought for a moment. "You are the leader of what has become, in effect, a rogue state. I won't take the chance of becoming affiliated with you. For the good of all Taviki, I'm afraid I must decline your offer. Good day." She terminated the connection.

[King Acunasti]

The majority of Hessian soldiers moved on through the base. Five stayed behind to secure the chamber. Gunshots could still be heard outside.

"Command, this is Alfa-One." said one of the sergeants through an earpiece. "Targets have been neutralized, over."

"Copy that, Alfa-One. Al-Kadari?"

"Terminated."

Meanwhile, another soldier delivered a kick to Alazhai's back. "This one is alive."

Each of the soldiers immediately pointed their assault rifles at the Ivori man.

__________

The Royal Palace's courtyard was massive and as beautiful as the fields of Heaven. Filled with gardens, rabbits, and royal painters.

A massive, shining black limousine awaited them on the stone path. It was accompanied by four other government vehicles filled with agents, as well as fifteen motor police officers.

[Eltee]

Alazhai weakly raised his arms, one of which had been penetrated by a bullet. "I'm..." He coughed, spraying blood. "..I'm the asset..."

[Ilikeskooma]

Akelin sighed. "Great, a rouge state." He said rolling his eyes. "Finn?" Akelin asked. "Yes king?" Finn said. "When will Jenny be ready?" Akelin asked. "Three days." Finn replied.

[Arch-Mage Matt]

Managua received a request for a video conference with Zorya.

[Ilikeskooma]

Akelin appeared on the president's screen. "Uh hello there." Akelin said slightly surprised.

[Arch-Mage Matt]

"Hello, King Akelin." President Arlington greeted. He was sitting alone in his war conference room. One of those types of Kings. Arlington thought to himself. In power because of blood, not because of tact. "I am President Arlington of Zorya. We would like to know your disposition regarding the Drascian-Zoryan War."

[Ilikeskooma]

"I haven't had time to look into much of the war. It hasn't been to long since it started however, so it would be unwise to pick a side based on report's." Akelin said carefully.

[Arch-Mage Matt]

"Exactly." Said the President. "Zorya is contacting you, hopefully ahead of Drascia or Enaline, to request you do your country a favor and choose no side of the war. Enaline has already made the mistake of getting involved, their Emperor is a..." The President stopped himself. "Don't be like them, Good King. Please, Zorya asks that you care for yourself and remain neutral."

[Ilikeskooma]

Akelin gave the president friendly smile. "I will not pick a side, and I have no love for war." Akelin said, glad the president wasn't asking for help.

[King Acunasti]

"Command, this is Alpha-One." the sergeant said through the earpiece. "Wounded Ivori in our possession. Possible alignment with hostile individuals."

"Copy that, Alpha-One. Have the captive brought back to the base. Do you copy?"

"Yes, sir."

The additional soldiers within the other branches of the base continued combing the underground passages for more hostiles. Alazhai was thoroughly searched and brought into custody.

The Hessian force consisted of about 40 soldiers, armed to the teeth with assault rifles and explosives. Alazhai was placed into a secured armored car and was taken away from the crushed Al-Klarest base with a convoy of about 30 men. The convoy was made up of an armored car, six jeeps, and two tanks.

__________

The motorcade began to move once Aurore and Jalil's family had entered the limousine. "Mister Ambassador," the Queen of the Hessia said to Jalil. "You are aware of the contact made to us by the Kingdom of Managua?"

[Eltee]

"No." Jalil said truthfully.

[King Acunasti]

Fort Cinquième Dynastie, Province of Harsul, Kingdom of Hessia

Fort Cinquième Dynastie was one of the largest and most well-fortified Hessian military bases in Harsul. Located in the northeastern region of the province near the provincial capital city of Hussar, it was the center for counter-terrorist activity in the region. Alazhai had been brought to the base within 6 hours. After identifying the terrorist leader, a request for a video conference with the Premier of Tavik was made by General Marco Auréole of the Hessian Army.

Swithelm, Province of Hess, Kingdom of Hessia

"Their so-called ruler was rather rude and spoke to me as though I was a fool." Aurore stated. "In fact, I believe he actually referred to me as a fool during the conference. Regardless, connections were terminated. I believe he may have already made contact with Tavik. I advise your Premier to turn them away. They are an informal people who apparently know very little about politics."

Fort Soleil de Saignement, Province of Vladin, Kingdom of Hessia

The sealed doors of Ethan's cell were opened. Light flood inside as two Royal Army soldiers entered.

[Eltee]

Aiya appeared on the screen. "General." She said. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"It's to be expected, they have been isolated for three centuries, with no internal politics." Jalil said. "Sad, really." He sighed.

[Arch-Mage Matt]

"Excellent." Said Arlington. "I'll hold you to that." He said, and signed off.

[King Acunasti]

An agent suddenly received a signal through his earpiece. He nodded and leaned his head over to speak with the Queen. "Your Majesty," he whispered. "The mission was a success. Al-Kadari was pronounced dead."

Aurore nodded.

"In addition, an Ivori terrorist, Alazhai himself, was brought into custody of your fine soldiers. General Auréole has already contacted the Premier."

"Really?" Aurore said with wide eyes, shooting a glance at Jalil.

__________

"Your Excellence," General Auréole formally greeted the Premier. "This afternoon at exactly 2 PM, Queen Aurore personally handed out orders to a battalion of Royal Army soldiers to raid and destroy an Al-Klarest base approximately forty miles south of the city of Kanalia. During the raid, Grandmaster of the Al-Klarest, Ghafi Al-Kadari, was gunned down. Yet a second man of interest, an Ivori terrorist leader by the name of Hamid Alazhai, was also brought into custody."