Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V2 Assiaya, Chapter 2

"Comanche-Lead, this is Comanche-One."

Hearing Rommel King's voice over the radio, Ryder picked up the hand and replied, "This is Comanche-Lead. Situation?"

"We spotted smoke," King said. "I believe we are approaching another village."

"Roger," Ryder said, turning toward Fraeya, sitting in the back seat. "Can you get the welcome kit?"

"Yes, I can," Fraeya said. "Just like last time?"

"That is correct." Ryder leaned back onto the passenger side of the JLTV and looked out the vehicle's top at the winged woman. "Natilite, can you confirm we are approaching a village?"

Natilite leaned over the top of the vehicle. "I can confirm. That is a village smokestack."

"Gracias," Ryder said. He started leaning back into the JLTV but stopped himself, leaning back toward the Templar. "How are you holding up Natilite?"

"I am doing well," Natilite said. "I will say that the metal is uncomfortable to ride on."

Ryder chuckled. "I will see if I can saddle it next time." After leaning back into the vehicle, he heard Ford comment about driving with a person on the roof.

"We are breaking so many safety Rags, I don't even know where to begin."

"No choice," Ryder said. "Her wings make it impossible to fit inside without major alterations with crew and space. Besides, I get the impression she does not want to be in a box after how we found her in Salva."

"I can understand that. I cannot imagine that kind of hell."

"You never operated in Latin America against the Cartels."

As the convoy approached, Ryder looked out and studied the surrounding forest. Tiny ridges and rock formations scattered everywhere, breaking the flow of the valley. Most of the foliage looked like what he had seen on Earth. There were many types of trees, including pine and leaf trees. Green and brown leaves, on the other hand, showed the changing of the seasons.

Other types of trees are different. One had large pines; however, they were glowing. Another glowed with it. Fraeya stated that these trees had a low mana volume, giving them an unnatural look.

After the three-vehicle convoy drove over a small creek, they stopped at the entrance of a wooden wall. While Comanche disembarked from their vehicles, the Valkyrie slid off the roof and landed in front of the gate.

The captain exited the passenger door and soaked the surrounding area. Like Salva and Indolass, there were ridges and hills. Patches of trees were scattered all around; however, cleared-out sections were used as farms. Staring toward the village, he saw two towers with guards looking at the Americans.

The small farm patches have tall tan stocks that look like corn but are brown. Seven people were farming the crops. Five were Kitsunes, but one was a Lat, and the other was a Farian, both male. Outside of the dirt from farming on the Kitsine clothing, they looked well-fed and taken care of, while the other two were in rags and ill-fed.

Ryder did not need to be told what he saw. Those two were slaves of these villages, which they probably bought or captured when traveling. Regardless, this might be an issue in the future.

Seeing the large wood gate open of the large village, Ryder turned to Fraeya, who was struggling to hold a large brown box. Before he could order Benjamin Ford, however, he watched the Sergeant appear by the elf girl and take the box from her.

Smirking from the site, Ryder turned to Sergeant First Class Gregory Barrett and ordered him and the Twins to guard the vehicles. At the same time, the rest of Comanche entered the village.