Dimensional Travels: World at War-Chapter 103: Finding the truth

Erica sighed as she sifted through her memories. "Around ten years ago, he enslaved all demihumans. He claimed that every race not fully human were mistakes made as a byproduct of human creation. Justin told me of the Adam and Eve story from your world. We have a similar story. Heith twisted it. He said that the creator, a cardinal phoenix, mistakenly created demihumans."

Mia’s fists clenched under the desk, and Eric ran his thumb along her hand. He looked at Erica.

"Continue."

The woman took a deep breath. "After his edict, most demihumans either fleed into Riemskin, or were hunted down. Elves were put into brothels and forced into sex slavery. The dwarves were sent to the mines. Nekodamia and Theria fleed."

Eric sat back in his chair, looking down at his notes.

"Some things never change."

Mia looked up from her lap. "So you have defected because you could no longer bear to live the lie. Now, we need to know what Mithrael planned after targeting Austin. You have troop locations marked, but would he decide to invade afterwards?"

Justin shook his head.

"Josh told Mithrael that an encirclement was best. He knows fuel logistics and maintenance issues, after all. He thought the best course of action was to keep pushing forward until you were essentially cut off from the oil refinery and Nuclear facility."

Eric rubbed his face.

"It is a classic siege move. You encircle the enemy and cut them off from any sort of resupply. Was there any talk of targeting Hoover dam, or the electrical grids?"

Justin shook his head. "Negative, Master Sergeant. They don’t know what your lines behind the Vegas Strip look like. Mithrael is tired of losing thousands of troops every time there is a mass engagement."

Eric facepalmed.

"Its about damn time he realizes that sending masses of soldiers doesn’t work. Getting back to the point though. Are there any new weapon systems that the Empire is making? Did you ever help them outside of training them?"

Justin shook his head. "Negative. Not that I am aware of. I don’t know if Josh has shown them anything new or explained technology from our world, but I didn’t do anything like that. They were keen to see how my cell phone worked, but outside of that I didn’t show any other twenty first century tech."

Erica rubbed her hands together. "There is one thing you must know. It is something I found out about when Mithrael was still contemplating whether or not to execute Heith. She looked to the glass, her eyes distant.

"The mana suppression circles were using human souls as their power source. Because of that, Mithrael forbade the use of them. He has ordered every remaining Mana circle to be destroyed."

Eric dropped his pen. Mia sat with her eyes wide. "That is an unforgivable sin." Mia glowered. She looked into the two way window, finding Tryasche. "Now that we no longer have to worry about the mana suppression circles, certain assests can be more free. And I am sure they are eager to get out in the world."

Eric came to his senses. "Alright. Here is what will happen for you two. You will be detained. We will verify the details of what you have told us. We will not execute you, but we will place you under watch. From here until you have proven yourself trustworthy, we will place you under house arrest. Either myself, my wife, or General Milano will come and ask for information about the empire or certain weaknesses we can exploit. Until then, you are to remain in your quarters. Food will be provided. Any questions?"

Neither of them spoke up. "Good. Take them to their quarters."

After the two were taken to their house, they headed to the command room. Milano and Miher were waiting there, with the Dragon elders. Trephania was also there. Eric looked at the former Goddess, but decided not to question it. He heard Dreha chuckle from behind him, but he ignored that as well.

Eric placed the map that Justin had given him in front of the two Generals, and sat down beside Mia. His arm wrapped around his chair as he addressed them. "The detectors told us many things of note, but the main priorities are the enemy troop locations and mana suppression circle information. First, the mana suppression circles are all being destroyed. Their power sources were human souls."

"They dare?" Tryasche hissed. His hands clasped the desk in front of him, mana shimmering around him as he shook with fury. "Forbidden magic was outlawed even to the Gods..."

Trephania shook with fury as well. Her body trembled as she recalled looking at the various circles spread throughout the Empire. "I can’t believe I thought those were genuis inventions from my son." She whispered.

Eric continued. "The most pressing matter is that they plan on using a brios barrage on Austin. We have the cannon launch sites marked on that map. We need ISR to verify the location of each Brios and target them."

Milano nodded. The room was heating up as the dragon’s still shook with fury, and the General spoke to them. "Gentlemen, please calm yourselves. I understand the news is upsetting, but as of right now we have pressing matters to address. Approximately one million civilians are at stake here."

Trephania’s eyes widened at his words. "One million?"

The general nodded.

"Here is what we will do. ISR assets are already scanning the mountainsides for confirmation of the Brios. We are also searching for the ADA and launcher sites. When we have located them all, I propose a coordinated attack with our aircraft and your people, King Tryasche."

The dragon king nodded, his eyes still burning with fury. "They will pay for their sins. For too long my people have suffered under the weight of tyranny. We will assist in any way we can. Let us finally end this war that has kept this world hostage."

Eric spoke up. "The Dwarves and Elves are still being held seperate from society. From Erica’s notes, they were all sent to a village approximately twenty miles inland from Esponia. I believe that if we bring them over to our side, we can enlist their help."

Tryasche shook his head. "I do not know if they will help humans again after all they have been through, but it is certainly worth rescuing them. They have been the most oppressed thanks to the former prince."

Eric sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I will take point in any negotiations or rescue missions once we break through to the other side. We have little idea of what waits for us after we break through the siege."

Milano nodded. "For now, let us head back to Phase Line Mike. We will consolidate forces there."

Eric had to suppress a groan. His mind turned to a basket filled with black hair and green eyes. He looked at his phone, the picture of his daughter’s and Mia all sleeping on his couch burning into his mind.

"It won’t be long now."

Back at Phase Line Mike, Eric stood with his arms crossed in front of his vehicle. He was staring down a man with one arm. "No."

"I can still fight, Dryer. I can command the troops."

"You are to stay back in Austin until such time that you have a prosthetic, you damn stubborn fossil. I will not have you die on the battlefield because you are too prideful for your own good."

Hammond shook his head. "I lost too many good soldiers this time, Eric."

Eric sighed, placing his hand on the older man’s shoulder. "I know. Trust me. We have lost a lot of soldiers on this deployment. But now is not the time to be a hero. You only have one arm, Chris. Remember what you told me at the bar before we moved out to Iraq?"

Hammond sighed, looking down at his remaining hand. "Don’t be a hero. Heroes die."

Eric nodded. "Exactly. You are still a phenomenal First Sergeant, and we will need you in the future. For right now? You need to recover. Go back to Austin. I have heard that you have had some pretty nurses tending to you. Go be a dirty old man and have some fun with them."

Hammond sighed as he rubbed his face. "Kiss my ass, Dryer. You and I both know that having pretty nurses is way better than having some old men tending to you. I remember the last time you got hurt in Iraq. You woke up and..."

Eric quickly covered Hammonds mouth. "Shut up, asshole. Do you want me to die?"

Hammond laughed at Eric as he walked back over to his truck. A young woman was smiling up at him, her smirk indicating she had heard his comment. Eric shook his head before turning back to his soldiers...

And a glaring Mia.

"Oops."