Battleship Alamo City: A Battleship Express Side Story

Chapter 3: The King and the Texans

The sun crested the dunes outside of Ride, and King Saddle awoke in his bed. His wife still fast asleep as he moved from the bed to their balcony. The sun shone its rays on his glorious city. He kissed his Queen on the head as he walked past their bed, and then left for the throne room. A few short minutes after he sat down, the doors to the throne room were flung open, and a messenger raced in.

"Your Majesty! Urgent news from the people of Al Camel!" The messenger said as he bowed.

"Tell me this news." King Saddle braced for the worst.

"Last night the town was attacked by Usuri and Cobra soldiers." The messenger reported.

The king lowered his head, still assuming the worse.

"However, the town was saved by a Goliath of a war-train, crewed by foreign warriors who have decided to help us in the name of deposing tyranny!" The messenger finished.

The King lifted his head and posture. His prayer was answered, and it felt like a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

"When shall I meet these warriors?" The King asked.

"Sir, They are arriving in an hour to discuss terms for an alliance." The messenger replied.

"Order the city to prepare for the arrival of these soldiers. We must show the greatest hospitality to our guests." King Saddle declared.

"At once, Your Majesty." And the messenger left.

As the door closed, the Queen entered. "What was that Husband?" she asked.

He turned with a smile that she hadn't seen in the two years of war. "The stars have answered our call." He replied simply. "They answered our call, and have sent us a miracle!"

Captain Seyed marveled at the train as it clattered along the line. Mile after mile of desert passed before his eyes.

"First time on Alamo City is always a sight to behold." A voice said. Seyed turned to see Major Blood.

"Yes, it is beautiful to see such a Goliath move along the desert." Seyed replied.

"So what can you tell me of your rulers?" The Major asked.

"Our King Saddle, of the House of Saddle, rules with his wife, Queen Cantle Saddle. They have three children, Emir Pommel, Emir Horn, and Emira Skirt Saddle. The eldest, Pommel Saddle, is a field marshal in the army at age 26, second in command only to the King himself, and the youngest to ever have achieved such an honor. Horn Saddle is aged 18. He is the Governor of the Eastern Province, and Skirt Saddle is the youngest at age 12, so she stays with Their Majesties until they deem her capable to lead." Seyed replied.

Alexander was greatly impressed. "Do you bow or genuflect when meeting with them?" He asked.

Seyed thought for a second. "Well, I haven't personally met them, but bowing is how you greet them. Why do you ask? They usually don't have important guests do so."

"Well, my father taught me never to behave like a tourist when in foreign lands. It speaks badly of you and your country, so following customs is very important." Major Blood replied.

"Ah of course. Well I am going to get some rest." Seyed said as he walked off to where he was sleeping on the train. The crew of Alamo City had brought him as their cultural guide to teach the soldiers how to act in the kingdom. The Major took one last look out the window before returning to the command car.

Ravage was walking to his room in the officer's car. The secondary train crews were in charge for now, so he and his crew could get some rest. As he reached for the door though, he suddenly heard the sound of rummaging. He opened the door to see no one.

"Ok, this is slightly weird. What made that noise?" He looked around for the source of the disturbance.

As he slowly walked around his room he heard a light thump. He turned to see a medal from his formal uniform on the ground. His hand slowly touched the closet and he flung the doors open. There, hiding among his clothing was the 3rd Futa he thought ran away back in Central America!

"Please don't kill me!" She pleaded with tears in her eyes.

"What are you doing on the Alamo City?" Ravage asked bluntly.

"I was hiding from your soldiers. I........I never wanted to fight." She said.

Ravage looked at her and motioned for her to continue.

"I was drafted into the Futa Army as a sapper. I didn't want to fight, but I had no choice. My commander, Captain Esmeralda, threatened to make me suffer an agonizing death if I didn't follow orders." The Futa continued. "I never wanted any part in this Goddess-forsaken war. Gaining Asia and Eastern Europe was enough, we NEVER should have tried to invade Australia, OR invade America, Canada, and Central and South America. That would prove to be our doom."

Ravage didn't move his stare form her. Finally though, he spoke. "Alright. I won't harm you, but you must surrender to Major Alexander. I cannot promise you getting off scott-free, but I'll try to help lighten the sentencing." Ravage said.

The Futa looked at him in shock. "Why would you help me?" She asked. "I'm a Futa, and I was part of a unit that was attached to a larger unit, that in turn was attached to an even larger unit, that in turn was part of the Army overseen by General Stacy. We were told that we wold be killed on sight if caught, or beaten and raped by our former victims like General Jasmine was after St. Louis, and she was sent to that POW camp where she died."

"You surrendered, and you haven't killed anyone, have you?" Ravage asked. The Futa nodded. "Then no excessive force is needed. Now then, follow me." Ravage said, leading her to the command car.

Major Alexander heard a knock at his command room.

"Come In!" he said, and in walked Ravage.

"Sir, we've got a stowaway." Ravage reported, and then moved to show the Futa sapper.

"Explain yourself Futa!" The Major demanded.

The Futa sighed. "I was a forced draft by Captain Esmeralda into her army from New Hermland, or Guatemala as the natives called it. I didn't want to fight, but she marched up from South America under orders from General Stacy, claiming that Empress Demetria gave her the authority to draft in any civilians for the defense of South America. Many of my friends were deported to The Great Canal, or the Panama Canal for defense. I lived almost my whole life in Central America; I don't even have very good memories of wherever it was in Siberia that my family came from! I only know that we came to South America in August of 2023 when WW6 was in it's early stages, and I wasn't drafted into the Army until about a year ago late 2027, where I remained until that last mission to sabotage your train."

"So have you killed anyone?" The Major asked.

"No Sir. In fact, disabling your train was the first and only mission I was given. The civilian-turned-Army sappers were seen as expendable by Esmeralda. There were a lot of us though, and some lasted longer than others, which is why I was in the Army for a little over a year without seeing any action as a sapper."

The Major put his hand to his chin, stroking his stubble in thought. "Well, we cannot just let you leave, especially since we are in a new world. Therefore, as the most senior officer of Alamo City, I hereby sentence you to community service. What skills do you have?"

"Well, I ran an inn in New Hermland before I was drafted. I served the drinks too." She replied.

"Well then, you can be our new bartender-in-training, Miss..."

"Jayne. Jayne Leyte, (Lay tay) Major Sir. Thank you."

"Don't thank me. Thank Ravage here. You're lucky the guy has a secret soft streak." Major Blood said.

"You know I hate when you say that right?" Ravage said, glaring at the Major.

Major Blood smirked a bit. "Yes. Now off you two go to the officer's dining car. Don't want the more radical enlisted doing anything.....unpleasant to Ms. Leyte here."

"Yes Major." Came the reply, and the two then left for the dining car at the rear of the train.

Once they were there, Ravage found Jayne a basic server's outfit in the cabinet, and handed it to her. "Here, this is your work outfit. The low pockets allow us to see anything you might be carrying just to be safe." Ravage told her. He then looked towards the dining car's kitchen. "Hey Belle!" He called.

A moment later, out came a brawny girl in a similar outfit to Jayne. "Yes Ravage?" She asked.

"This Futa, Miss Jayne Leyte, is to be your assistant as community service by the Major. Make sure to teach her your skills." Ravage replied before leaving.

Belle nodded, before turning to Jayne. "Okay Dear, I'll show ya the ropes of this place, and how to keep the rowdy ones respectful." He heard Belle say as he walked back to the front of the train.

The train rolled along for another hour before the crew saw a beautiful city crafted out of clay protruding from the barren desert. A tall wall surrounded the city, with patches of brown plants on the outside. The train squealed to a halt as its bells rang, and whistles bellowed. Several guards on stationed on the wall near the train station looked over at the Goliath parked near their great city as the train's crew slowly poured out. 900 of the 1100 soldiers and crew disembarked from Alamo City with their equipment and uniforms ready. The soldiers on the train wore their formal attire, while the commanding officers were wearing the "Pinks and Greens" uniform, while the other crew wore the simple green uniform.

A group of guards arrived from the newly opened gates. Their uniforms were similar to the Arab tribesmen of the First World War. The guards walked forward, and their captain spoke.

"Are you the foreign soldiers who saved the Horses of Al Camel?" He asked.

"Yes we are. We come to speak terms for an alliance with your people to free your kind from tyranny." Major Blood said, saluting.

The captain nodded. "Follow us. We will guide you and your entourage of men inside the city."

The crew and soldiers of Alamo City, escorted by several guards, marched down one of the main streets to the castle. The natives stared as they passed, and some were scared, but most hopeful to see these strong warriors kindly waving and smiling to them. As the soldiers reached the steps of the palace, the all stopped. Major Blood looked to the men.

"Halt here, and if natives want to speak with you, be kind. We are all friends here." He told them. Then Ravage, Clemente and Major Blood himself continued on inside the palace gates.

The area seemed beautiful with fountains and tall trees surrounding them. The Saddle Arabian guards halted when they reached the throne room, and opened the doors. The group then walked in to the foot of the large stallion, King Saddle, and bowed.

"I do not rule you, yet you treat me with the same respect my people give me." King Saddle said with slight surprise.

"I make sure my soldiers treat foreign leaders with the same respect any benevolent person or Horse deserves." Major Blood said rising from his bow.

King Saddle stood and took his wife by the hand. "Come . We have much to discuss."

King Saddle and his wife then sat at the front of a small, ornate table while the Humans took their seats on the other side.

"First, before we begin, I must congratulate and thank you for your work protecting my citizens." King Saddle told them.

"The enemy attacked, and we simply returned fire. We would do that for any innocents." Major Blood replied.

"Well, as you've seen, we are out numbered, and stretched to our limits. My people have the experience, but we lack numbers. Your train could help even the odds."

Major Blood nodded. "We agree to help, but we have some conditions that need to be met first." The King waited for him to continue. "First, we require coal, water, and ammunition for out train. We can give you the instructions and schematics on how to build the ammunition, but you must construct them."

"I agree to this." The King said.

"Two, We need a dedicated locomotive and supply train to bring the ammunition, coal, water, and rations to the front. All major war-trains have their own dedicated supply train to support them, but unfortunately, ours did not arrive with us, so we have 2 months worth of ammo and rations on board."

"I agree to this as well. The train shall be there at your first battle, I promise." The King replied.

"Third, we need payment or some compensation that allows us to purchase from local markets whilst on leave." The Major said.

"Of course. No army should fight broke."

"Lastly, we would like the ability to be equal to your commanders in military planning. Our kind has fought six world wars, 2 cold wars, several smaller international conflicts, and our country alone has fought for freedom longer than it has ever seen peace. Therefore, we need some form of approval to allow us to help form strategies with your generals." Major Blood finished.

The King was shocked. Six............SIX world wars encompassing one world, in addition to many other conflicts?! It was almost unfathomable, but what was even more unfathomable was the fact that Major Blood talked about them with very little emotions..........almost like conflicts like that, even on a global scale, were normal on the world where the Humans had come from.

"I agree to all these terms." King Saddle said as his scribe finished drawing up the treaty. The King and Queen then signed it, before handing it to the Texans. Major Blood signed, as did Ravage, and a few other officers.

"Now then, where is our first target Your Majesty?" The Major asked. "This conflict was one sided at first, but now it is time for victory!"