Book 3 Revenge Of The War Lords

BOOK 3: Revenge Of The War Lords

                                                 Chapter 1

                                             January 14 2003

         Supreme General Victor Voktor paced around his HQ. He was a short, dark figure, with brown hair, steel rimmed glasses and cold grey eyes, in his black General’s uniform. Over the last month he had barely slept or eaten spending all of his time on his "master plan." He believed he had found a way to win the war without any very large campaigns. However, a few small ones would be required and the first one was about to begin. He had suffered a humiliating defeat at Volgograd but now he would turn and strike back in the south again and in the winter when his enemies least expected it.

         Alvin Smithers had been promoted two times over the winter due to a shortage of experienced officers and was now a Major in the Imperial Army. A new offensive was ordered in his sector and he and his tanks moved rapidly across a bridge they had laid over the river Dnieper in the Ukraine back towards Rostov. There were many enemy soldiers in the area but they never saw this attack coming like so many others and soon his forces rolled on towards Rostov.

         Freedom Leader Dart Smalls had red hair, green eyes, and was a tall and imposing figure. He stood inside Rostov and looked out at the Imperial Army trying to retake it in the dead of winter. The Empire was making these annoying attacks all over the world, no large assaults but isolated attacks. This one, another in North Africa, and the last in Asia. And they were stretching the Freedom Leaders thin, Albert was in England, Macy in St. Petersburg, he and Rose Calumberry on the Russian front and the others spread throughout the world. Speaking of Rose she came up to him to take a look as well. She had purple hair, blue eyes, and was short compared to him. “This attack will fail.” She said quite sure of it. “Yes,” Dart replied, “but he’s stretching us to the breaking point I have to go to Siberia when we are finished here to stop Imperial forces from Alaska invading.” he finished. “And I have to go to Australia to stop General Won Ton from taking it, too.” Rose said. They didn’t know they were once again playing into Victor’s master plan.

                                                 Chapter 2

         Rose stepped off the plane into Sydney, Australia. The situation was critical. Imperial forces had landed and engulfed the northern half of the continent almost without a fight and were pushing towards the Republic’s important bases in the southern half of the continent. They outnumbered the Republic two to one as well, and to put the icing on the cake Victor Voktor had taken a personal trip to oversee the invasion. Now Imperial forces were advancing towards the city and she had to defend it or nothing else would matter.

         Victor Voktor hated the heat. And Australia was ridiculously hot to him. “Can we get this over with?” he asked the Asian Imperial Commander General Won Ton. “Because after we finish these fools here I have to go to North Africa where it’s so damn hot, like here.” The General glared at him and said, “ The attack is beginning now. Sir.” Victor snarled at him and headed down towards the battle.

         Rose ducked behind some rubble as shells crashed into Sydney. The Empire had broken into the city and had already pressed to the center of it. She tried to rally her forces but to no avail. The city was falling. Now they had to delay long enough to evacuate as much of the army as possible out of it. She was waiting in a small market just in front of the last line of buildings before the port for the Imperial soldiers to roll in. And here they came Victor Voktor in the front of them. Rose jumped out to face him in the clearing as bullets flew all around her. “Here we are once again.” he said as their swords crossed. He side swiped her feet and she fell to the ground but rolled to avoid his slash and kicked his feet out which bought her some time to recover. Victor swung wildly and his sword barely missed her head and slammed into a building. She tried to run him through as he recovered but he dodged her attack just in time. They fought for a few more minutes back and forth before more artillery shells separated them. Then a soldier came up to her. “We must pull out, the last transport is about to leave!” she shouted. After pulling out her pistol and exchanging a few shots with the Imperial forces Rose got up and ran to the barge, boarded and they departed. As they left they saw the Empire’s black flag with a silver eagle on it rise up over the city.
                                                 Chapter 3

         Over the last two years the situation in North Africa had changed a number of times. The Republic had begun to gain numerical superiority in soldiers on all fronts and it was taking it’s toll on the Empire. In the first year the Empire had occupied West Africa and pushed into the North all the way to Eastern Libya but they had been pushed back nearly to Tunisia before hitting back and reaching the Egyptian border. Now Victor Voktor was landing there to organize an attack on Cairo. If it fell, they would cut off the Republic’s armies in Africa and threaten the Republic’s oil supply once again.

         Victor Voktor was in a jeep at the head of the 10th Armored Corps in Egypt. They were pushing towards the Nile River where they hoped to cross and capture Cairo. When all of the sudden resistance stiffened. The column was first pinned down by the Republic Air Core until Imperial planes came to fight them off. Then artillery opened up on the tanks and was only silenced when infantry overran the position. Next, tanks began to attack the column. “Tank Division A will stay here and continue the fight.” he ordered over the radio. “Division B will follow me, I have a way around them.” They followed the map for some time before coming out of a narrow pass behind the Republic's tanks. They never knew what hit them and soon were only burning wrecks under the hot desert sun. The army had pressed on to the Nile when Victor received an urgent telegram to report back to Europe, his men were ready to carry out the next phase of the plan. His attack here had ran out of steam anyway, but the Republic didn't know that and would most likely divert resources here just as he needed them to.

                                                 Chapter 4

         “The conditions are what you asked for, sir.” Captain Christopher reported. “We have finally stretched the Freedom Leaders to the limit. Dart is in Siberia, Rose is in India, Albert in England, and Macy in St. Petersburg. The weaker Freedom Leaders are ready to fall into our traps.” “Excellent, I’ll go to Petersburg, we should get at least one of the big four" he said," order the “special units” to take care of the others.”

         Thus the tragedy (or triumph depending on your point of view) unfolded: inexperienced Freedom Leaders had been left to fend for themselves while their only help was thousands of miles away. Shannon Valter was cut down by one of Victor’s Death Squads outside Smolensk. James Nuvin was lured into a jungle in China and executed personally by General Won Ton in an ambush. Jamie Alicav was killed by Imperial Artillery fire in a trench in the Ukraine that had been pre-targeted by Imperial Spies. That left Macy Hummings as the last target.

         Sally Smithers was defending St Petersburg from a ferocious Imperial attack.  Victor Voktor was leading that attack on the city and it was actually a trap, he was trying to lure Macy out and it had worked. She saw him and drew her long pointed sword.  Sally watched in horror as the battle between the War Lord and Freedom Leader developed. They fought for a short while before the more experienced War Lord got the upper hand and ran her through. As she dropped to her knees a quick slash decapitated her. Sally and the other horrified soldiers who had been surrounded and starving for months began surrendering or fleeing. Only a miracle kept the city from totally falling but its position was now more critical than ever.

         The only inexperienced Freedom Leader who survived was Hank Borlo, he had come down with a stomach flu and never got into his jeep that would have driven him down a road mined by the Empire to destroy his car. Victor received a congratulations from the Supreme Leader and was greeted with cheers by his men in Berlin, Germany at the Supreme Imperial HQ in Europe. But there was still another part to his plan. He wouldn’t stop now. The Freedom Leaders however would have a different reaction.

         Dart was celebrating driving the Imperial Army from Siberia and nearly smashing it against the coast when a messenger came in. She looked terribly sick and her face was full of grief as she handed him a message. He read it aloud and the celebration abruptly stopped. Many of the soldiers in the room burst into tears, he simply stared at the message in disbelief. Meanwhile Rose was on a train heading back to Europe from her failed defense of Australia when a messenger who’s face was streaked with tears handed her a message. She read it and burst into tears, four of her friends were dead, ruthlessly murdered by the War Lords and their henchman.

                                                 Chapter 5

         Rose and Hank Borlo were on a ship bound for England. They were still grieving over the loss of their friends but they still had work to do. They had decided to regroup with Albert in England where they were safer together. Dart was still in Siberia but could handle himself. They also had another reason for making the trip. Switzerland had remained independent from the Empire and had offered to join the Republic against it but they wanted a diplomatic mission to come to them. The Freedom Leaders had decided going into the heart of the Empire was so dangerous it would be safest to stick together. The decision would prove to be fatal.

         Albert waited on the docks in London as Rose and Hank departed from the ship and came to meet him . He shook hands with both of them and said, “You have no idea how glad I am you got here safe.” “That makes three of us.” Rose said. He nodded his head in agreement and said, “I have a car waiting to take us to the airport, there we have a plane waiting disguised as an Imperial transport. We’ll use it to slip into Switzerland undetected.” They followed him to the plane and boarded it hoping they would get back to England safe and sound.

                                                 Chapter 6

         Rose, Albert, and Hank got off the plane in Bern, Switzerland. They were greeted by Robert Bailey and Amy Maxel, the joint leaders of Switzerland which had remained free and continued as before the war ruled by both genders jointly. “Welcome to Switzerland.” Robert said. “If you will follow us we will take you to your lodgings. Tomorrow we shall meet you and accompany you to the meeting hall where negotiations will take place.” Amy continued as they left.                              

         The next morning as they all walked toward the meeting hall Rose asked the two leaders of Switzerland, “How did you manage to stay free all this time in the middle of the Empire?” “Well,” Amy began, “they have been very distracted fighting you and the mountains help make invasions difficult and costly.” she finished. As they came up to the door of the hall Robert said, “And we just made a deal that will keep the War Lords out of here forever.” As he opened the door Rose asked, “What would that be?” The door slid open and Amy and Robert stood back and Robert said, “This.”

         The Freedom Leaders stood stupefied. There at the end of the hall stood Victor Voktor his aide Capt. Christopher Cartwright and his three tall bodyguards. Albert was the first to act drawing his pistol but Victor shot him in the hand and he dropped it. Just then a dozen Imperial soldiers came up behind them cutting them off. If looks could kill the one Rose sent the leaders of Switzerland would have left them dead on the floor. “We’re so sorry,” Amy pleaded. She continued, “They parachuted in and seized control of the capital so fast we couldn’t react.” Robert added, “And they threatened to slaughter our people if we didn’t cooperate, we had to submit.” he finished. “Enough of this pointless drivel,” Victor said, “take them away. I’ll deal with them shortly.” His smile was sickening and his laugh even more so as they were disarmed and led away.

                                                 Chapter 7

         Victor Voktor turned to Robert and said, “Is this facility efficient enough to put Dart into a coma until he is brought back to the Supreme Leader?” “I have no idea we only use this for freezing food not humans!” he said shocked. “Fine, we’ll test it on Albert he’s been enough trouble to deserve it.” Victor answered.

         Meanwhile in a cell a few blocks away, the Freedom Leaders despaired as they finally began to unfold the plot. Rose said it all, “First, he spread out us out knowing we would be easier to destroy and would then group back together. He had to make sure Dart stayed away so he couldn’t interfere as he lured us into the final trap so Siberia was just a diversion. Now he’s using us as bait for Dart as he speeds toward us into this trap because of the message we sent him asking him to join us here.” she finished. “And we fell for the whole thing.” Albert said sorrowfully. Just then the door opened and Imperial soldiers told ordered them to come with them.
         
         When they reached the facility the room was ice cold with a large glass chamber in one wall. Victor and all his chief men and bodyguards were present along with the leaders of Switzerland. “What’s going on?” Albert asked Robert. “You’re being put into a freeze induced coma.” He replied. The Freedom Leaders jaws dropped in shock. Victor Voktor motioned with his hand and the Imperial soldiers strapped Albert in and closed the door. A scientist at a control panel pushed several buttons and the chamber began to fill with a strange liquid, then an icy stream shot through the liquid freezing Albert into a block of ice. Victor Voktor laughed evilly while Rose began crying and looked away. “Well is he alive?” he asked. Robert took a look “Yes, he survived.” “Excellent.” Victor said. “Put him on board a special train back to the Americas and take Hank here with him.” “What about her?” Christopher asked motioning towards Rose. “Reset the chamber and tie her up in front of it.” he said. Just then an aide came up to him. “My Lord, Dart has just landed at the airport.” he said. “Excellent, make it seem as though nothing is wrong and see to it he finds his way here. And clear out this room. I want to take care of him alone.”

         But things weren’t going exactly according to plan. Robert and Amy had used a secret channel to warn their border units about the Imperial invasion and they prepared to stop it. Their reserve units were preparing to seize the airfield at the same time so they could escape with the Freedom Leaders back to Britain.

          Dart had been told to head to a meeting hall where his friends and the leaders of Switzerland were holding negotiations. He opened the door and it immediately slammed shut behind him and locked. When he took a second look at the room it wasn’t a meeting hall it all. It was a strange facility with dim blue lights and over there, “Rose!” he shouted as he ran over to his friend bound to a chair. “I’ll get you out.” He said as he began untying her but something was wrong. Her eyes were huge and she was trying to yell something at him. As he looked into the large black pools that were her blue eyes he saw something behind him in the reflection. He dodged just in time to miss being hit in the side of the head with the flat end of Victor Voktor’s sword. “And now the final part of the plan falls into place.” He said gleefully. “What is going on here?” Dart asked astounded. Just then Rose worked free the cloth that had been preventing her from speaking and said, “It’s a trap! The Empire is taking control of the country and we were betrayed by its leaders!” “Precisely,” Victor said, “and now I must prepare you for your journey to the Supreme Leader.” Then he attacked. It was tough going battling in the oddly shaped circular chamber but eventually Victor hit a button and a glass door slid open and he kicked Dart who flew into it. Victor pressed the button again and the doors sealed shut. He pressed a few more buttons on the control pad and liquid began seeping into the chamber. But something happened he hadn’t counted on Dart threw himself against the wall several times and shattered the glass. The strange liquid and ice vapor poured out clouding the room. Victor couldn’t see anything. But as he looked around something smacked him in the back of the head, he groaned and slumped to the ground.          

         Dart finished untying Rose. “Let’s get out of here. I have a helicopter waiting at the airfield, hopefully the Empire doesn’t have total control yet.” They forgot about Victor and left the room. As they were heading out of the building an announcement came on. “This is Robert Bailey speaking. The Empire is taking control of the country. However, we have retaken the airfield and we encourage everybody to get there and escape before more Imperials arrive.” “Turns out they were able to do something right.” Rose said as they headed toward the airfield.

                                                 Chapter 8

         Although the airfield had been retaken it wasn’t easy going. On the way there Rose suddenly said, “We have to go back for Hank and Albert!” “Were they supposed to be taken away on a train?” Dart asked gloomily. “Yes, how did you know?” she asked. “It's no use I saw it leaving as I came in and had no idea what it was for until now.” She stopped talking. Imperial troops were pouring into the city and when they got to the airfield they found it under siege being constantly fired on with mortar rounds. They were running toward the plane when an Imperial tank blew through the wall protecting the airfield.  Imperial soldiers stormed in with Victor Voktor in their midst. He looked furious and had lost his officer’s cap, one frame of his glasses was shattered and his uniform was tattered and covered in dust. “You two!” he shouted in Rose and Dart’s direction as he sprinted toward them. They drew their swords and waited as the plane began to fire up its engines.

         Dart blocked a blow from Victor and slashed back at him. Rose slashed as well but he turned the blow and nearly sent her flying into Dart. “Get on the plane!” he shouted. “I’ll hold him off.” “Are you crazy?” she shouted back. “I’m not leaving you here!” Victor wasn’t letting either of them go, in fact he increased his attacks to the point where he was attacking each of them once nearly every second. But then a bullet smacked into his arm. He let out an inhuman scream as he reeled back holding his arm. “Come on!” shouted Robert as he lowered the gun he had just shot the War Lord with. “They’re getting closer!” Amy added as they boarded the plane. They all hopped on and the plane took off as the Imperial forces wiped out the last resistance in the area. The dejected War Lord, holding his shattered arm roared again as they escaped.

                                                 Chapter 9

         As the plane flew back to England Rose explained to Dart what had happened. Then she turned to the former leaders of Switzerland and said, “Although you saved us you’ll have to be kept under watch in England until the war is over.” “We understand.” Amy said, “if we were you we wouldn’t trust us either after what we did.” The plane flew them back to England and from there they went back to Moscow. Only two of the original eight Freedom Leaders remained as the hellish year came to a close.
         
         Rose and Dart hovered over a map in their HQ in Moscow. The situation had gotten better and worse if that was possible. St. Petersburg was on the brink of collapse, Asia had no effective governor as well as England due to the shortage of Freedom Leaders. And Victor had evened the odds to two Freedom Leaders and two War Lords now, perhaps even swung them in his favor considering the power of the two War Lords. On the other hand the Empire had to be exhausted after three solid years of attacking. Soon it would be their turn to attack.

                                                 Chapter 10

         Victor Voktor sat in his HQ in Berlin with a cast on his arm to help it heal after the wound. Capt. Christopher came up to him. “Although our successes these past few years have been great we did not complete our mission entirely. So we have exhausted our offensive capabilities and must go on the defensive next year.” “Well,” Victor began, “we bought ourselves a year of time. They stood their ground until we were exhausted now we must do the same to them. 2004 will be a year of clenched teeth.” he finished.

         Rose looked out at the massive army assembling on the Russian Front as the new year dawned. “We have done it, now we can fight back.” “And the War Lords and their minions will pay for their crimes throughout the world.” Dart added. They nodded hoping this was the beginning of the end. No one would ever be able to imagine what the next year would bring.