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Battleship Alamo City: A Battleship Express Side Story
Chapter 1: Out of the Microwave and into the Oven
Chapter 1: Out of the Microwave, and into the Oven
Life can be Hell for anybody. World War 6 was just that Hell amplified for us. Watching our home state of Texas get enslaved by those Futa pricks. While they captured our land, they sure as hell didn't take or break our spirit of state patriotism. After all, it's VERY difficult to break the spirit of a true Texan! It takes a real group of patriots to revive the Texas Rangers, steal two trains, and then create a fearsome war-machine out of it all. Most people know all about the Battleship Express, the flagship of the Railway Warfare Division's fleet of war trains when it comes to railway warships, however, there are many more, and ours is one. Whilst the Battleship Express was busy fighting the Futas in the Midwest, Rocky Mountains, the Southwest, the Northwest, and other places, we of the Alamo City were kicking futa ass all around Mexico and Central America. However, that all changed one day on deployment in the jungles of Southern Mexico........
It was another sweltering day for the crew of Alamo City. The train was driving through the jungle to get to their destination at the Panama Canal. The train was to provide support for the liberation of the other side of the canal so that Allied Forces could break through into South America. Sitting in the train's main command center were two men. The first was Major Alexander, or "Major Blood" as some called him, was the commander of the troops, and overall operations on Alamo City. He wore a standard issue helmet and uniform with bullet protection gear on his chest, legs and arms.
"So how much longer till we arrive at the next rest stop Major?" Asked the second person. His body was covered in muscle and tan fur underneath a basic uniform like what the Major was wearing. However, his ears were cat-like, and he had a decently sized cat-like tail.
"Not much longer Ravage, I promise. Our next stop is Oaxaca, then Salina Cruz, and then we proceed from there into Central America", Major Blood replied. "You best get back to up to Lone Star Captain. You know this train can't go without its best driver. Plus, the last time we let Jenkins drive across the border........well, you know the fest of THAT story!"
Ravage winced. "Yes, we all remember. I mean how do you jump a train on straight, well maintained track?" Ravage asked, saluting the Major.
"Sadly, we'll never know." The Major replied as Ravage left for the front engine.
The thing that made Alamo City slightly unique was the fact that it used two engines instead of one. "Lone Star" was the nickname given to Texas and Pacific 610 when she joined the Railway Warfare Division, and "Nimitz", or ATSF 5017 pushed from behind in a Top and Tail Formation. Only a few other capital-trains, (aka the heaviest hitters in the RWD Fleet) even had 2 engines to move the train, the most famous of these, aside from Alamo City, was the Rail Dreadnought. She was the very first Rail Battleship ever made by the RWD, and was the direct predecessor of the Battleship Express. She was pulled by Santa Fe 5000, aka Madam Queen, as well as Union Pacific 9000. Madam Queen was in front, while 9000 was close to the middle of the train at times, though sometimes she double-headed with Madam Queen. However, 9000 was primarily used for extra traction, as well as being a main generator for the rest of the train, while Madam Queen did most of the pulling work. While this 2-engine design did work, it was seen as ineffective, largely due to the fact that it took twice the crews to maintain both engines, though on the plus side there were now 2 engines to do the work; if one failed, the train could still move thanks to the other one. Alamo City was the only capital-train in the RWD Fleet to use the Top and Tail Formation. (This design too was seen as ineffective, as it was hard to synchronize the engines. There was no real way to synchronize the controls of both engines, meaning that both of them operated independently, and if something went wrong with one engine, it could cause severe damage to the other engine, as well as the rest of the train).
As Ravage reached the front of the train, he saw Jenkins. Private Edward Jenkins was the secondary driver, but many wondered why he was there, since most saw him as klutzy.
"Oh Ravage! Glad you're back." Private Jenkins said while saluting.
"Thank you Jenkins. You can head back to the bunks for a nap. I'm driver through the night." Ravage replied, giving the lanky guy a pat on the shoulder. Jenkins then smiled and left. Ravage took to the controls and let Lone Star go at a nice 50mph as they rolled through the jungles of Southern Mexico. As the night wore on though, Ravage suddenly saw a flash of.........something. His eyes saw a small orb of light dance around 610 before suddenly darting into the jungle, and into the night.
"I think I need to get more sleep from now on." He said rubbing his eyes. "I think I'm seeing things now." He then tried to focus on his job again.
The next morning, the crew arrived in Oaxaca when all of a sudden........
BANG!
The engines were slowed to a halt as a group of men in Mexican Army uniforms flagged them down. The whizzing and banging of bullets rang out from down the line. Ravage stayed at his post while his fireman Clemente got down. Sargent Clemente was an american born of Mexican immigrants, so he knew how to speak Spanish, and then translate what was said to the rest of the crew.
"Que Pasa?" Clemente said to the soldiers. The four soldiers looked very frightened.
"Soldados enemigos fuera de Oaxaca!" The first one replied.
"Gracias por la advertencia!" Clemente said running back into the cab.
"What is it?" Ravage asked.
"The enemy is outside Oaxaca right now! We need to get there to help repel the attack!" Clemente said. Ravage then grabbed his radio, and clicked it on.
"Major, we've got hostiles at the city of Oaxaca!" Ravage said into the radio.
"Roger that, proceed forward. All hands, battle stations now!" Major Blood ordered before clicking off the radio. A siren then wailed from the cars as soldiers scrambled to their positions. The train slowly came into view of the city, and then the guns were readied to open fire on the outskirts.
Major Alexander was busy giving orders to the soldiers on board Alamo City. All guns were ready to fire when a radio message came through.
"Hello? Is this Alamo City do you read?" A voice said with the booming sounds of shells on the other end of the radio.
"This is Major Alexander of Alamo City. Who is this?" He replied.
"This is General Espada of the Mexican Army. We are pinned down in the city! The Futas have fortified the ruins of Monte Alban, and are shelling us!"
Major Alexander turned pale. "We'll begin firing General Espada, Alamo City out!" The Major then turned the intercom on. " Attention all gunners! The enemy is firing from Monte Alban! Time to show 'em what we do best!" He said before turning it off and reclining in the chair. "Damn Futas never make it easy on us do they?" He said to no one in particular. "While they expend most of their resources trying to take down the Battleship Express and Battalion 4009, the rest goes towards stopping the rest of the RWD Trains, and the rest of the US and Allied Armed Forces, including us. When will they ever give up?!"
At this same time, Alamo City came to life with her large guns. Her large 20 inch, and 14 inch guns shelled Monet Alban with everything that they had, whilst her smaller 8 inch guns shelled other batteries closer to the Mexican trenches. As this was happening, the Alamo City deployed its ground troops. The Texas Ranger Legion poured out form the train, and got into positions to assist their allies. These troops were the equivalent of US Marines, or the troops who made up the Railway Battalions for the RWD, and like the men on Alamo City, they too were all proud Texan natives.
After a few minutes of constant bombardment from Alamo City, some enemy soldiers broke and fled, but many held strong in their positions despite the hellfire raining down around them. It took several hours but the enemy had been pushed back to sandbag defenses on the ruins of Monte Alban. The Futas were hurting, but the fight was not over yet.
Meanwhile, inside the ruins of Monte Alban, Captain Esmeralda of the Futa Empire was in her command tent while shells rained down further away.
Laura looked at the data that she had. "Our soldiers have taken heavy casualties, and are fighting in Monte Alban. They will run out of ammo in four more hours." Laura replied.
Esmeralda slammed her fist into her map table. "Fucking Dammit! If that fucking train hadn't shown up, we would've had the town by now!" She growled, putting a hand to her face, and rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"Your orders Captain?" Laura asked. The captain just stood there for a moment, not moving.
"We've got no choice. Tell our troops to make a fighting retreat. Our orders were that in the event of failure, we were to retreat towards the Carla Line in New Hermland or Guatemala as those damn Americans say."
"As you command Captain!" Laura replied as she wrote the command, which was to be then taken by courier to the front line.
As Laura wrote out the order for a courier, Esmeralda looked back at her maps, particularly a picture of Alamo City. "I swear I'll kill that train! Laura, send orders to our Sappers to hide for now, and then ambush the train at night! That Battleship Express-wannabe will NOT ruin our control anymore!" Esmeralda then grabbed all of the maps and plans before leaving the tent for her staff car.
"I'll get right on it Captain!"
The first message was then given to a courier, and then the second message was relayed to the Sappers, and after Laura grabbed other things that Esmeralda missed, the two of them left.
As the staff car drove away, Esmeralda dreaded giving her report of the battle to her superiors, which would ultimately make its way to General Stacy Rikker, and possibly her mother Demetria, the Empress of the Futa Empire. Stacy would no doubt be VERY upset about the loss. Her own troops were slugging it out with the Battleship Express in the Rocky Mountains, and were losing. If news of this loss reached her, who knows what she would do. Esmeralda tried not to think about it as her staff car kept rolling.
Five minutes later, her command tent took a direct hit from a 20 inch shell, and was destroyed.
The fight for the Mexicans, and the soldiers of Alamo City lasted another two hours before the Futas fully retreated. The two engines then let out their whistles as a sign of victory. the Mexican soldiers cheered out in joy, and were hugging their allies. That night, the city of Oaxaca was filled with music, dancing, and drinking on both sides, though a skeleton crew consisting of the highest officers stayed on Alamo City in the event of counter attack. While others were out having fun, Jenkins and Ravage sat in the dining car having some simple M.R.Es.
"Hey Jenkins?" Ravage asked, fiddling with his food.
Jenkins looked up. "Yeah?"
"You see any strange things last night?"
Jenkins thought for a second. "Well, before I went to bed, I did see a flash, but I thought that it was some idiot who turned on the anti air search light on accident."
"I saw it too. There was just this glowing orb dancing around the train before disappearing into the jungle." Ravage said.
"Sounds like the legend of Luz Mala Clemente told on Halloween night."
"What legend is that?" Ravage asked curiously.
Jenkins sighed. "It's a legend about a ball of light that floats along the ground until it comes across what its looking for. It then shines above potential artifacts, graves, and other things, but if anything touches the light, or the ground below they suddenly die from a toxic gas. It's probably just wartime hallucinations though."
"Yeah probably just nerves." Ravage said. Then a sound reached his ears, and he grabbed his gun.
"What is i-
"Shush!" Ravage shushed him as he continued moving towards the front of the engine. His cat-like hearing picked up what sounded like whispers coming from up ahead close to the front of the train.
"Alright, just place the explosives, and let's get the hell outta here." A voice said.
"I don't think we should be underestimating these boys," Another said. "Remember what General Stacy said about that time she had her sleeper agent Sally Face try and blow up the Battleship Express? Sure, he damaged the train, and knocked it out of action for 4 months in 2028, but that was NOT the end of the Battleship Express. It came back, was better than ever, and not only that, Face was found out, hunted down, and killed less than 2 weeks ago in the Battle of Boise in Idaho. General Stacy never got over that one."
"Shut the fuck up Jayne! Just do the job, and then we can leave!" A third voice growled.
Ravage then got within range, and saw a trio of sappers preparing to blow the train!
"Oh no you all don't!" The thought angrily. "You ain't gonna pull a 'Sally Face' on us!" He then slammed a fist on the emergency button, and then the train's sirens wailed.
The trio were frightened, and one of them ducked while the others drew their weapons. Ravage then fired his pistol at their guns, and they broke apart. Furious, the two futas jumped up and engaged in fist to fist with Ravage. Ravage dodged a blow, and kicked one of them back into the metal wall of the engine, and she screamed in pain and anger.
The second one hit him in the gut, but he grabbed her fist with his hand, and used his bulk to spin her body off the train, and onto the ground outside of it. He then grabbed his pistol, and shot the crippled Futa in the heart. He then spun around fast, and shot the second one in the head. Ravage then got off the train and looked for the third Futa, but he couldn't see her anywhere. "Probably got away", he thought. He then got back on the train as the soldiers returned.
"Who sounded the alarm?" Major Blood asked sternly.
"Sir, the train was attacked by a trio of Futa sappers. Two dead, one missing." Ravage said saluting the Major.
Major Alexander was impressed. "Good work Captain. Now lets get out of.........here?" The soldiers all then looked up to see a bright orb above the tallest point of Monet Alban. The orb spun and spun as it came towards the railway battleship. It swirled above them, and then the orb flashed as a light glowed on the ground 50 feet away from the train. Curious, the Major and a few others went to investigate the spot where the light had glowed on the ground. One soldier dug through the sand, and to his surprise, he found a tablet. Unfortunately though, it was damaged, and whatever was on it was unreadable at the current moment.
"What is this?" One man asked, reaching for the tablet.
"No!" The Major called out, but the man touched it. The glow from the orb swirled in fury around the area. It sped up faster and faster as the dust was kicked up and blinded the Texan soldiers. Then, with one final bright flash, the entire train, its soldiers and all its equipment vanished in the night. Little did they know this was going to take them from one hot hell filled with war to something just as bad elsewhere........
Author's Note
I'd like to thank Scarfox9700 for supporting this story and for helpin with the creation of it
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Battleship Alamo City: A Battleship Express Side Story
Chapter 2: A Miracle For Them, A Tuesday For Us
Chapter 2: A Miracle For Them, A Tuesday For Us
It was a dark, moonlit night in Saddle Arabia. The sands were blown about by the winds outside of the city of Ride. Inside the opulent palace of the House of Saddle, King Saddle sat upon his throne. It had been two whole years since war was declared on his kingdom from all sides. The front lines were getting closer and closer to the capital every day. It made him wonder, was he truly a king? Or was he merely a failure that deserved to be forgotten by the desert sands?
"My Dear Husband, you mustn't keep yourself up all night. It is bad for your health." Came a kind voice. King Saddle looked up, and his wife Cantle walked in. Her muzzle and head were decorated with beautiful jewelry complimenting her gray, almost white coat, with a blue dress covering most of her body.
"I know my Darling, but this war strains me so." King Saddle replied, nuzzling his wife. "This conflict strains our nation to no end. I just wish a solution would show itself." He continued.
"Follow me Darling." She said, taking her husband by the hand. The two then stood on the balcony overlooking the city of Ride. The occasional lamp or torch lit some of the streets. "Look at the stars." She said. The sky twinkled with stars all across it.
"What are you getting at My Love?" He asked.
"Our people have prayed to the stars since our creation. All you must to is pray to them, and I believe we shall get our solution." Cantle replied, lowering her head for prayer. King Saddle followed her.
"Great Stars that lighten the darkness, we beseech you now. Our kingdom is in dire times, and we beg of thee for our saving grace. May your bright lights give us guidance." King Saddle finished, giving a kneel and returning to the castle. His wife looked to the sky with a small smile before returning inside for bed. Little did either of them know that the answer to their prayers was already on its way, and would be arriving by rail very shortly.
The rails of the desert were fairly quiet at this time of night. Both sides used this time to rest while it was cooler, so no attacks were happening. A lone signalman in his box along the rails was sleeping when a sound rang out in the night.
"What is that?" He said looking out along the line. He looked along the tracks with a pair of binoculars.
Rang a whistle through the night. The signalman looked out, and then heard the sound of something pounding along the line. That whistle rang as he saw a large white light moving closer. Two thunderous bells rang out as the white light closed in. Then the signalman saw it. A behemoth of a locomotive thundered by with cars carrying weapons of varying sizes. Then another behemoth that brought up the rear of the train whistled as the whole train cleared the signal box, and raced off into the night.
"I need to cut back on the drinks." The signalman muttered before passing out into sleep.
Alamo City was flying down the line, but all of the crew were unconscious. A large thump shook the engine crew of Ravage, Clemente and Jenkins.
"Huh?" Ravage muttered before looking at the gauges, and his eyes nearly popped out of his sockets. "Shit! Wake up guys, the trains running away!" He yelled, smacking his comrades awake.
"Oh Fuck!"
"Shit!"
The three fought the engine for dear life trying to slow her down, but unfortunately 5017 was also pushing the train from behind, so they couldn't just throw on the brakes. If they did, the brake shoes could shear off, or they could wreck the tires. (And it wasn't fully realized until this exact moment, but the situation at hand was EXACTLY why Alamo City was the only major war-train in the RWD Fleet to have one engine at the front, and other at the back, both of which operate independently of the other. It was too big of a risk of the train destroying itself if one engine crew was lost, and the crew in the other engine couldn't stop the train. This is why the few war-trains that had 2 engines either double-headed them, (so that one crew could quickly scramble into the cab of the other in the event of an emergency) or controlled the train from one engine, and used synchronized controls in the cab to control the other engine remotely (like how the crew of the Rail Dreadnought controlled the train from Madam Queen, and still operated UP 9000 at the same time). That way there was no risk of what was happening to Alamo City at the current moment. Perhaps it was time to rethink how the train's engines were configured once this incident was over!)
"What do we do?" Clemente asked. "We can't stop the train from up here with Nimitz still pushing from behind!"
Ravage started thinking. Then he had it. "Jenkins! Race to the back, and throw on the brakes for Nimitz and the caboose! Once you do that, radio us, and we'll throw on our brakes! Now Go!"
"You got it Ravage!" Jenkins then ran like a bat outta hell to get to the rear of the train. It took him a few minutes at full sprint, but he quickly reached 5017 to see her crew knocked out.
"Crap. This ain't good!" He then threw the regulator into the "off" position, and then slammed on the brakes hard. He then ran to the caboose and screwed the brakes on. His body was jolted as the brakes took effect, but he still grabbed his radio. "The brakes are on back here Ravage! Hit them up there!"
"Right!" Ravage yelled as he threw the brakes on 610 on, and applied the reverse gear to shove its weight against the train. The brakes squealed like damned souls, and sparks flew like flint stones hitting each other from the wheels, but at last the train stopped just outside of a small station. The rest of the crew woke up at the quick stop, and went to check the train. Major Blood also hopped out and looked at the land.
"Sir, where are we?" asked a private.
"I'm not sure. Best ask Ravage what's going on." He replied, walking to the front engine. "What happened?" Major Blood asked the three in the cab.
"We woke up to see the engine running full speed down this track. We had Jenkins screw on the rear brakes then we applied ours." Clemente said.
Ravage then spoke up. "And Sir, as much as I hate to say this, I think that we REALLY need to rethink how 610 and 5017 are positioned in the train. The crew in 5017 were unconscious, and we couldn't stop the train from 610 without burning out our brakes, or crashing." He then explained what happened to the best of his ability.
Major Blood sighed. "Noted Ravage. I secretly feared that this would happen some day, and we were warned by engineers in the RWD of the dangers of running our train with 1 engine at the front, and 1 engine at the back, both of which run independently of the other, but we decided to run the risk anyway. There was a reason why no other trains in the RWD Fleet do this, and unfortunately, what just happened was that reason come to life. We'll discuss this with the train's engineers at the next officer's meeting."
Before Major Blood could continue though, those on Alamo City all heard sounds of people. They looked, and the train was being surrounded by what looked to be people of some kind, and they wore clothing very similar to what was worn in the Middle East.
"Oh.........boy........."
The people of Al-Camel (Al Calm El) where suddenly, and very rudely awoken by loud screeching. The garrison captain, Seyed(Say Yed) Rashid, lept to his hooves.
"What is it Dear?" His wife asked.
"Something just came into town. Stay here, and don't come outside." He warned. He then went to the barracks and roused all the stallions. "Wake up! We've got potential hostiles in town at the train station!" He yelled.
The soldiers were awake in a flash. They all donned their gear, and marched out with Seyed to the station. The guards walked down the large main street to see the large behemoth at the station with figures clambering around it. The soldier of the garrison walked slowly closer to the station. Then they reached the station, and came out to the tracks.
"Oh..........boy......"
"Halt!"
The crew and the Major then looked closer at those around them, and they saw that they Arabian Horses with rifles with bayonets fixed, and pointed at them! The soldiers of Alamo City pointed their guns as well.
"What is going on?" Jenkins whispered.
"I don't know." Clemente answered. "But one thing's for sure. I REALLY don't think that we're in Central America anymore!"
"You. State your business in Al Camel. You are violating the territory of the Kingdom of Saddle Arabia." Captain Seyed ordered, gesturing to Major Blood.
He spoke up quickly. "Look, we aren't here to cause problems. You aren't our enemy, nor do we wish to make you one, so if we could all calm down and talk like rational folk......" Major Blood said, as he held out his hands in a calming gesture, "I think we can figure this situation out." He looked at the officer that he was addressing, and saw that his skin was covered in fur in Arabian horse colors.
Seyed seemed satisfied with that answer. "Alright. You look similar to ourselves, so we won't fire. Follow us to our base in town and we'll hear what you have to say."
"Okay, but may I bring my second in command as my adviser and guard?" Major Blood asked. The garrison whispered to each other then turned around.
"Alright, but just him. Who is your second in command?" Seyed asked looking for the soldier. His eyes widened to see a tall Purrsian-looking creature walking next to the foreign commander.
"This is Captain Ravage, my most trusted soldier." The Major replied. Seyed simply nodded and his group turned to escort the two to the garrison.
They all arrived at a clay fort on the edge of town, and entered the main hall. The garrison commanders were on side of the table, and Major Alexander and Ravage were on the other.
"Alright, so now that we are here, who are you and your crew?" Seyed asked.
"I am Major Alexander Koning Jackobsson, or "Major Blood" to my crew and this is Captain Ravage." The foreign commander replied. "We are the first and second in command of the war-train Alamo City."
"Where are you from?" A second soldier asked.
"We are from the State of Texas, one of the states of the United States of America. We never intended to violate your territory." The Major calmly replied.
"Then what is your story?" Seyed asked.
"We were sent to take care of our enemies the Futas in Central America. To put it simply, the Futas are female slavers who have male genitalia instead of female genitalia, and they don't show mercy. Long story short, they have an Empire on our home world, and they tried to conquer the rest of the planet. They took large chunks of several continents, but recently have been driven back by the Americans and their allies. The war is still going on, but the Futas are losing. We were attacked halfway to our target in Central America, and were struck by an anomaly. After how knows how long, Ravage and his crew woke up to find us out of control along the line. They stopped the train in this town, and now here we are." Major Blood said.
Seyed stayed silent for a moment. Then he spoke.
"I am Captain Seyed Al Rashid, the commander of the garrison of Al Camel. I have a few crucial questions for you. Do you fight tyranny?" Seyed said keeping his face blank.
Major Blood nodded. "Oh yes. We most certainly did. Our state fought to break free from the horrendous evil that was the Futa Empire, and gain the rights our people didn't have. Our home country has fought tyranny time and time again; first against the Matriarchal World Empire, then against the One Race Empire, and now against the Futa Empire. My men believe that if the innocent aren't free, then we must stand to defend them. We've stood firm in several wars for this reason."
"Yes. WW3, WW4, WW5, WW6, and the many skirmishes of the Second Cold War were all fought by those who loved freedom against those who sought to take that freedom away. " Captain Ravage added.
Seyed looked at him then back to Major Blood. "You all love freedom, and you fight against tyranny, but would you be willing to help us?" Seyed asked.
"It depends. What is your current situation?"
Seyed sighed sadly. "You see, we are at war with two great nations. They have been stealing our land and people for over a century, and now they seek to finally end us once and for all."
"Why are they fighting you?" The Major asked.
"One nation, The Usuri Union, seeks to "Liberate all workers", but we have seen the slave-like conditions of their country, so we fight them. The Cobra Kingdoms seek to destroy our economic power by taking all our profitable mines, ports, and anything that will destroy our economy. We have shrunk in size from two previous war failures, and now we need to win or risk eternal enslavement." The Second Soldier finished.
Ravage clenched his clawed fists so hard small amounts of blood leaked from his gloves. "Fucking Bastards!" He muttered angrily. "They deserve to DIE for what they've tried to do to you!"
The Major then stood. "Usually we would need permission from our home nation, as well as our superiors, but our soldiers were given permission to act outside of our nation should the need arise." Major Blood said. "This is a privilege that so few US Armed Forces Units were given. The only other ones who have this privilege are the remnants of the US Pacific Fleet who work in tandem with the remnants of the Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand Navies to keep the Futas in check in the Pacific Ocean, and attack their supply convoys, the Night Stalkers, an elite special-forces unit, and one of our fellow war-trains, the Battleship Express. The Battleship Express is the flagship of the war-trains in the Railway Warfare Division (RWD) Fleet, and they hold the record for most Futas killed by a single unit, and have been there for most of the major battles against the Futas in North America."
"So you'll help us?" Seyed asked.
Major Blood sighed. "Well, first we must speak with your leader, and even then, I cannot guarantee that we'll be able to help, as we do not have martial law authority here."
Suddenly though, they then heard a loud *BANG!*
"What is that?!" Seyed shouted.
"Our men are being attacked!" Major Blood reported, and the group left the base to run to the station.
Clemente and Jenkins had their guns firing out at the dunes to the left of the train. Searchlights for the anti-air weapons were flipped on to illuminate some other creatures who opened fire once spotted. Some still charged, while others took cover on and behind the dunes.
"For Mother Ursa!" One cried.
"For Hisss Majessty!" another cried out with serpentine-like voice.
The Texans of Alamo City then fired everything at the enemy. Some of them even got close enough fore the machine guns on the train to open fire on them. Enemy rifles opened fire, but the bullets just pinged off the thick armor on the train, and some of them showed fear at this.
"Our bulletss aren't punching holess in that thing!"
"Keep firing at it! That armor can't hold forever!"
Some of the more terrified troops retreated, but were cut down by gunfire. The soldiers in the dunes had no chance either as heavy shells rained down on them, taking many of them out. The fight lasted less than ten minutes before a white flag waved from the dunes.
"Walk towards us very slowly!" Clemente called, and at this time the Major Blood, Captain Ravage, and the garrison came out with their weapons drawn.
The enemy survivors came forward, and the Americans were shocked. Some of them looked like anthropomorphic bears, and the others were like anthropomorphic snakes with tails coming out the back of their coats.
"Halt there Usuri and Cobra scoundrels!" Seyed said.
"How dare you insult our great ruler Saddle Scum!" The senior-most officer of the Bears yelled.
"You sshouldn't have such a behemoth." The senior-most Cobra officer said.
"That's because it isn't theirs." Major Blood said, and the 2 prisoner officers turned to him.
"Who are you?" The Usuri said.
"Major Alexander Blood of the railway battleship Alamo City, of the railfleet of the Railway Warfare Division; the train you just tried to assault." Major Blood stated, glaring daggers.
"Our most sinssere apologiess Major. We didn't mean to attack you. I ssee you have a magnifissent machine, and we would gladly acssept you into our glorious kingdom if you help uss occupy this town." The Cobra said.
"Fat chance, you Slimy Bastard." The Major replied simply.
"How dare you! You dare think you are better than us?! I'll kill you!" The Bear shouted, reaching for the Major, but was suddenly stuck by a bullet to the arm, and a kick to the face by Ravage.
"You ready to surrender the rest of your troops, or must I let my Captain continue?" The Major asked calmly.
"Err. Damn you!" The Bear tried again, but was held back by Ravage with his bare hands. "How...how are you this strong Purrsian?!" The Bear growled.
"Because I'm not a Purrsian.......I'm a Texan." Ravage said, kicking the Bear in the face, before swiping his claws across his chest. The Bear tried to get up, but was shot again by Ravage. He then turned to the Cobra. "Surrender, or run like hell you Scaly Cunt! And take the rest of your slimy survivors with you!" Ravage said with boiling anger.
"I know when I'm beaten." The Cobra said while slowly pulling his hand out of his pockets. A pin came loose and a grenade rolled out. The soldiers all got down when it exploded into smoke, while the Cobra and his surviving Snake soldiers slithered away into the night, followed quickly by the surviving Bears, dragging their wounded, but still alive officer with them.
When the smoke cleared, Major Blood turned to Seyed. "Seyed, you remember how I said that we needed a reason to fight?"
Seyed nodded.
"Well, you just got an ally in your war." The Major said as they shook hands. "Those bastards just attacked us, and that was their first, and most FATAL mistake. NEVER give a group of Texans an excuse to fight you, or they will, AND it will be the last fight of your now shortened life!" He and Seyed then continued to talk about what was to come.
Tomorrow, the Texans would set up shop close to where they were now. They would hopefully see the ruler of Saddle Arabia, and most importantly, discuss plans for bringing hell to the enemy!
Battleship Alamo City: A Battleship Express Side Story
Chapter 3: The King and the Texans
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!"
Battleship Alamo City: A Battleship Express Side Story
Chapter 4: Enter the Meat Grinder
The night was pitch black as Alamo City rolled along the rails. King Saddle had told them to head for the lands outside of Tabuk. If they could push an offensive here, they could slice the enemy in two, Forcing the cobras back across Al Sways and the canal. This would relieve that front and allow some of the troops to turn towards the Usuri. So off the train had set into the night with its supply train "Kasbah" tailing behind due to its slower speeds and heavy load.
At 5 o'clock, the train stopped at the camp. the crew prepared the guns of the mighty train, and her battalion moved to the set up tents. A decorated Saddle Arabian stepped toward the cab of 610.
"Are you the reinforcing army we were told about?" The soldier said.
"Yes sir, Captain Ravage, second in command of Alamo City." Ravage said. Then the major stepped out of his car and met the soldier.
"Major Alexander or Major Blood, commander of the Texas Ranger Battalion and Alamo City." The major said saluting.
"Colonel Hassan Jameel of the 1st Army group. We have one million soldiers work with against the enemy's 3 million. Though most of them are poorly trained." The Colonel said.
The Major pulled out his binoculars to see the enemy soldiers. There enemy looked as numerous as the sands below his feet. "Where is the command tent?" The Major asked. The colonel lead the Major and Ravage to the tent. The map showed very mountainous, and dry that stretched beyond the city. "This is good. We'll shell them from afar and goat them into attacking or risk death. With that, they will be picked off as they try to attack up to our trenches. My Battalion, shall perform a fighting retreat as the enemy chase us." Major Blood said.
"Yes that is the best plan. I can spare some to help keep them at bay while your men do this." Hassan replied. The men then left the tent.
Ravage returned to Alamo City as the Major took his soldiers to the pass below. As the enemy sat at the mouth of the pass, a single flare rose from the pass.
"All Hands Fire at Will!" Ravage called and the guns came to life. 20 inch shells pounded the enemy rear while the 14 and 8 inch guns pounded the front and center of the large force. Panicked from the heavy fire, the enemy charged forward into the line.
Major Blood watched as the enemy stampeded trying to get away from the guns above. Eventually, they came in range of the small arms.
"Fire!" The Major called and machine guns rattled off the song of death. Bears and cobras fell by the thousands in the turkey shoot that the battle became. "Keep it up as we back away!" The Major said as his men back pedaled up the mountain the rear would run up and stop to fire to give the front room to run up and do the same. They repeated this tactic over and over. the enemy still had plenty to strike at the trenches and machine guns fired from the Arabian trenches as the Texans ducked. Gun fire sent the enemy sprawling backwards as the Texans stood up and hopped into the trenches.
"For King Saddle!" called the colonel to the troops and a large shout returned.
"For The King!" came the replying shout. the enemy bodies began to cause hindrance to their comrades who now had to climb over them to get at the trenches. Hour after hour passed before the enemy finally broke and retreated down the hill.
"OORAH!" Called the Americans over and over as the enemy fled but were cut down. the Arabians hugged each other in joy.
"Colonel Hassan. What is the casualties?" The Major asked.
"1000 troops to their 1.5 million dead. That's half of their number down." The colonel replied.
"Well our guns can still hit them. Will shell them on and off day and night to ruin their fighting power. If they don't surrender then they shall be too weak to truly fight." The Major said. The Alamo City began its first hour of shelling at the camp below.
Usuri general Blood Paw sat frustrated in his tent. His co general general Adder of the Cobra Kingdoms seemed remarkably calm.
"Those damn horses!" Blood Paw shouted punching his table. "When did they get such powerful weaponry!" He continued.
"Now those weren't Saddle Arabians from the reports. They had similar features but not hooves in their boots." Adder said.
"So what? They hired some freaks to fight for them?! " Blood Paw Snarled. "No matter, we shall crush them anyway. Come light they shall all suffer." He continued. The shells thumped around the camp as tomorrow would decide the plan.
Dawn came and the guns were quiet. The sun made the bloody glisten against the sand. The Major looked out at it all.
"Getting a good view Major?" Ravage said bringing a mug of coffee.
"Hmph. it is a beautiful morning. it's the quiet moment one learns to savor in times of war." He replied.
BOOM! THUMP!
The guns rang and the duo looked down the hill. The enemy had gotten very close without making much noise. The guns of the enemy began to fire at the trenches as soldiers hurriedly man their guns. They fired all they had, but the enemy was too close for the big guns to bear.
"All forces retreat to Alamo City!" the major called. The solders took cover on or behind the train. As the enemy tried to climb towards the train, they were cut down by machine guns, rifles and other small arms which prevented the enemy from cresting the hill. Major Blood thought of what to do running a hand through his short hair.
"That's it. Colonel!" He shouted to Colonel Hassan who nodded. " I need you to divide your men. While we have the enemy distracted your men will head down the opposite side then swing round to catch the enemy side on. Once they are distracted the others shall charge down at them laying down deadly crossfire." The Major said and the Colonel instantly nodded.
"Good idea. I'll give the command." Hassan replied heading to his soldiers.
"Generals, the enemy is stuck on the hill with our soldiers pinned. It appears a stalemate." A messenger said.
"Damn it." Blood Paw said.
"Calm down. It would be wisest to retreat now while we still have 700,000 troops. If we retreat to the the ports further back and fortify." Adder said.
"I have my orders from command to not give an inch of ground to the enemy! I will not flee like you cowardly serpents." Bloodpaw turned to the messenger. "Tell them to attack again! If they retreat, they will face execution." He said to the messenger.
"Blood Paw." Adder said. The Ursa turned around and saw the hypnotic movements of the serpents eyes. "Tell that messenger all cobra are to retreat." Adder whispered in his ear. The Ursa turned to face the messenger.
"All cobra are to retreat. Now go tell the army." Blood paw said in a trance and the messenger left. While Adder left the bear unconscious to be killed like the rest of his filth.
Hassan got his troops ready to strike. The bears began charging the hill again and that's when he struck.
"Attack!" came the cry and the enemy were gunned down. The colonel looked to see the serpents trying to retreat. Then, the soldiers on the top ran down at the enemy guns ablaze and even some swords drawn like a cavalry charge of old. The enemy broke and tried to flee, but left them open to gunfire from the back and sides. In a few short hours, the enemy was all, but gone with the remainder having trickled away into the sands of the pass.
"Advance!" Hassan shouted and his men moved in an orderly march. By nightfall, the army had advanced into the northwest province of old and even killed the Usuri General. " I thank you kind soldiers" Hassan said congratulating the Major.
"It was also your skill and experience Colonel. I promise that the enemy will be cut in half soon." The Major said with a smile.
"I thank you Major. It will be a pleasure having you in this campaign." Hassan said. The soldiers set up camp and prepared for the next advance...
Battleship Alamo City: A Battleship Express Side Story
Chapter 5: The First Siege
The city of Aqabah sat along the Gulf of the same name. When the Cobras first invaded, they had two options to link up with the Usuri. Either they risked dragging into the Neighgyptian Empire and crossing their land, or they invaded Aqabah, and used that as their link-up point. General Adder sat in the main fortress of the city, contemplating what to do next.
"That foolish Ursa! Because of his tactics, now I am down to less then what I would like for the defense of this city!" Adder grumbled to himself as a messenger entered.
"General Adder Sir?"
"What news do you bring?" He asked once he looked at the messenger.
"The King has seen it fit to send us 56 ships, as well as another 750,000 soldiers." The messenger reported.
"I see. And when shall they arrive?"
"One day from now." The messenger replied.
"I see. You are dismissed." Adder said and the Cobra messenger left.
"Once I have those additional soldiers, the enemy won't be able to break the city, and then those pitiful Horses won't gain any more ground." Adder said to himself.
While General Adder was still plotting his next move, the Allied troops sat in their camp, which was located within seeing distance of the city of Aqabah. Ravage was in the command tent with the other commanders, including Major Blood, and informing them of the battle plan.
"If we shell the walls in multiple places, and divide our army, we could then send a larger thrust in the least defended areas from several different points." Major Blood said.
"This would help prevent their numbers from overwhelming our men." Colonel Hassan added.
At this moment though, a messenger came into the tent. "Commanders! Urgent news from our scouts!" The soldier said out of breath.
"What is it?" The Colonel asked.
"Our scouts along the Red Sea report a fleet of nearly 60 transports heading for the Gulf of Aqabah! We have one day before they reach the ports!"
When the messenger finished, everyone's eyes popped open. If they didn't do something, and quickly, then the enemy would have fresh troops, supplies, and possibly even bigger guns to fight back with, which would no doubt drag out the siege.
"If I may", Ravage spoke up. "If we hold the siege off for one day, then we could take the Alamo City to shell the enemy along the narrow opening of the Gulf." He continued.
"That would be a good idea, but we need to somehow keep them from noticing. If we take the whole train, then they would notice that something is up." Hassan said worriedly.
Ravage thought hard trying to come up with a solution. "There is a way to take the train without noticing." He then turned to Major Blood. "Major, What if we pulled an Operation Fortitude?" Ravage asked.
"'Operation Fortitude?'" Hassan asked. "What's that?"
"Operation Fortitude was a military operation where an entire fake army was made to make the enemy think that they were being attacked in one place, and not another." Major Blood told him.
"Exactly. We move the train further out, and then we make a fake version of it. We'll then move out at night, and then shell the straits to prevent the enemy reinforcing the city." Ravage finished.
"That is a good idea. Ravage, get the men to start making the dummy train. We'll have Kasbah pull it."
Ravage saluted. "Right away Major!"
It took a long time, but Kasbah was eventually fully in place with fake guns mounted on its boxcars. It was shoddy, but it was further away so it was hard to tell the difference. Then, once night had fallen, and the enemy had gone to sleep, the crew all loaded up, and Alamo Cit slowly puffed away into the night to reach the straits.
In the dead of night, with a full moon, and only a few clouds, the ships of the Cobra Kingdom were sailing through the strait right on schedule. Admiral Viper sat in his command ship The Serpent .
"Sir, we shall be at the port before dawn." His cabin boy told him.
"Excellent. Now leave me." The Admiral said as he laid down on his bed.
After the cabin boy left, the Admiral began eating from a bowl on his bedside table. "I still don't understand how incompetent that General Adder must be for him to need us to bail is scaly ass out. A true general would know how to fight those outnumbered Horses!" He said to no one in particular.
*BOOM!!!! CRASH!!!!*
The Admiral sprung form his bed at the sound of the noises, and threw open the door to his quarters. All around his flagship were the sounds of battle, and he raced up to the main deck of The Serpent , and once his brain fully registered what he was seeing, his scaly face drained of all color. All around him, ships were sinking with massive holes, and fire all over their decks, and in the water around them. Cobras were in the water, screaming in agony, or screaming for help.
"What in the ever-loving fuck....????" The Admiral finally managed to sputter out.
Suddenly though, fire erupted from another ship as loud booms rang out, and quick flashes were briefly visible from the shore.
*CRACK!!!!! CREEEEAK!!!!!!*
More and more ships were being decimated by the explosions, turned over by waves, or punched through by the shells being fired at them.
"IDIOTS!!!! FIRE BACK!!!!" The Admiral cried.
"We can't Sir! The're firing from inland!" A sailor yelled.
"What?! That's impossible! The shore is miles away!" Viper said as his flagship was now rocked by enemy shells.
Of the 56 ships, they were reaching a mere 12. Viper had no choice now. "To hell with that General! Retreat immediately!" He shouted, and his flagship and the remaining ships started to turn away, but were still being shelled. The entire time that the few remaining ships were running away, they were still vulnerable along their sides to the unseen enemy, who continued their bombardment unopposed. There was a mere 6 Cobra ships left once they got out of the unseen enemy's firing range, and of those 6 ships, all were at least moderately damaged, and had a large number of their crews either dead, wounded, or missing. The Cobras who had fallen, jumped, or been blown into the water by explosions during the battle were all left behind to drown, commit suicide, or be captured by the enemy. This was a devastating defeat for the Cobras, but unfortunately for them, it would not be their last.
"Captain Ravage!" a voice called over the radio to the command car.
" What's the status of the enemy fleet?" Ravage asked in reply.
"The enemy fleet has turned tail and fled! Confirmed 50 ships sunk, I repeat 50 ships have been confirmed sunk!" The voice replied.
Ravage's lips curled into a smile. "Excellent work! Now let's roll out back to Aqabah." Ravage said and the train whistled before taking off back towards the city they had to take care of. "We won a great victory tonight!"
The rest of the crew were also cheering on their way back to Aqabah.
" Imposssible! All our reinforcements are not coming?!" General Adder yelled at the messenger.
"Y-yes Sir. They were nearly wiped out by enemy gunfire last night. Only six ships made it out without sinking, which considering their current condition is a miracle by itself!" The messenger replied, more than a hint of fear in his voice.
"Hmm. Very well. Make sure all of our troops are ready for the enemy's next attack. We still have the defensive advantage despite only having 800,000 troops. We shall win! For the King!" The General yelled, and the messenger saluted before leaving.
Once the messenger was gone, Adder smirked. "I best be preparing my leave. Major!" The General called, and in stepped his second in command, Major Green Mamba.
"Yes General?"
"You are in charge of this city now. I am required back in the capital on urgent orders of the King." The General lied through his fangs.
Green Mamba saluted, not suspecting the treachery. "Yes Sir! We shall fight in your name!"
"Good to hear Major!" Then the General departed for his private submarine which left soon after. The General had just knowingly left 800,000 of his own troops to die, but at that moment, all he could care about was saving himself, and his own sorry ass.
"If Cobras have to die because of this, it sure as hell ain't gonna be me!" He thought as his submarine got underway.
The sun was now out in all of its glory as the soldiers of Saddle Arabia stood ready all around Aqabah to attack, and then the guns rang out. Shells started hitting the walls, and they shattered like those of Jericho. The city had already been evacuated when it was taken over by the Cobras, so there was no worry of friendly fire. The Allied troops then stormed through the holes in the walls, which was really stretching the enemy lines out as they were trying to plug the gaps with soldiers. Then the main force charged at the city.
"For The King! For the House of Saddle!" Cried soldiers as they sped through the down, cutting down all Cobra defenders that they came across. The enemy fired and fired, but were largely frozen with fear by the stampeding Saddle Arabians, and the cries of the dying Cobras rang out across the city.
Major Blood and Hassan were back to back firing at the number of suicidal attacking Cobras.
"You keeping up?!" Major Blood shouted to Hassan.
"Oh please. Your gun might be good, but I'm just as capable with mine!" Hassan replied, and then his gun clicked empty. He was about to grab his saber when the Major threw him a pistol.
"How many of these things do you have?!" Hassan called out.
"I always keep three guns on me!" The Major said as he switched to a shotgun when his SMG ran out.
Hassan was shocked, but then just turned back to shooting. It took a long time, but the enemy eventually finally surrendered. Of the 800,000 defenders, half were killed and the rest were either imprisoned, wounded, or missing. Once the battle was over, Major Blood watched as Colonel Hassan walked up to the prisoners.
"Your people have cause mine great grief and strife. If we were to walk you into a town, the people would maim you like rabid beasts!" Hassan told them coldly. Most of them felt fear at that statement. "However, we shall not do that to you. You have two options here. One, you join our army and, once the war is over, all survivors will be granted amnesty and allowed to return home. Or two, you serve prison time in the prison camps, which will not be as merciful as me." Hassan stated. "All who wish to join us and see the war end, please stand up."
After looking around at each other for a few moments, one cobra stood up. He was then followed by another, then another and then another. Of the 400,000 prisoners, one quarter wanted to fight alongside the Allies.
"Our King has never delivered the great wealth ,or bountiful food he promised us time and again!" A cobra shouted.
"He isn't fit to rule!" Another added.
"Good riddance of that rubbish excuse for a Cobra!" A third voice chimed in.
"Then be prepared." Hassan informed them. "We march Northward from here to take the fight to the Usuri!"
Once he finished, there came many shouts of soldiers who were ready for battle. The Cobra threat was at least slowed for the time being; now it was time for the Usuri to fall as hard as they did.
"My King Cobra, terrible news! The city of Aqabah was just seized, and now we have no way to connect to our soldiers in the Saddle Arabian territory!" A messenger reported while bowing.
"Well then, we have no other choice." The King solemnly replied, standing from his throne. "Ready the men at the border. Neighgypt shall become our new way to Saddle Arabia!"
"Are you sure, Your Majesty?" The messenger asked. Then he saw the glare from his King, and he was frightened. "I'm sorry My Lord! I'm so sorry!" He quickly apologized.
The King walked down to the messenger. "No one is allowed to question my orders." He said coldly before biting into the jugular of the messenger, letting the poor Cobra's blood run across the ground. "Tell another messenger that we are to invade Neighgypt, and fetch someone to clean up this mess!" The King shouted to a guard, who promptly left the room. "And this was one of my favorite robes." He grumbled angrily, wiping in vain at the blood that now stained his robe. "No matter. It can't be helped now. I have a battle to plan!" The King then left the throne room to confer with his generals on the matter at hand.
"No one is allowed to question my orders." The King said before biting into the jugular of the messenger letting the poor man's blood run across the ground. "Tell another messenger that we are to invade Neighgypt and fetch someone to clean up this mess." The King said. to a guard who promptly left the room. "And this was one of my favorite robes." The king finished.
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Battleship Alamo City: A Battleship Express Side Story
Chapter 9: A Lone Star Fights the Bears of Night
The sun shone upon the Fertile Valley. The sand was dyed red from the siege of the past four days.the soldiers of Alamo City kept a look out on the outskirts of the newly captured fortress city of Ur. The Field Marshal of the North, Suleiman , had successfully gained vast parts of the front, but it had come at a price. Millions on both sides lay dead and the enemy was not going to let them keep Ur without a fight.
"Captain!." Jenkins called to Ravage who was resting after the fight.
"Yes?" He said bleary eyed.
"Reports say enemy reinforcements are preparing for a counter attack and they've brought two War trains." Jenkins replied. This made Ravage's eyes shoot open.
"War trains you say. Any information on them?" Ravage asked.
"Only that one is made of two machine gun cars and an armored locomotive. The second has 8 turreted 57mm guns and 32 machine guns." Jenkins said looking over the intel.
"They will be a nuisance. However, we have range and more guns. Tell the men to target the front and back cars of the larger train before taking down the little one." Ravage said before grabbing his guns to leave.
"What about you?" Jenkins asked.
"I was told to fight with the ground troops. So that's what I'm gonna do." Ravage simply stated and left.
The commander of Ursa Major, Red Paw, was sitting in the command unit.
"Sir! We have arrived at the city of Ur. The enemy war train is blocking the path towards further movement." A messenger said.
"No matter. Send the explosive ram ahead. Then we shall shell them to pieces like any other threat." Was the reply. The messenger saluted and left. "The time has come to show this "Metal Goliath" who reigns the rails. Soon the Ursa will be proven superior." Red Paw said.
One of the rangers saw a cart running along the line. The flatcar had something tied down and a ram at its front.
"Bomb Car! Bomb Car!" called the soldier. The front 88 mm fired to try and hit the car but missed. The car ran along and smashed into the Lone Star.
BOOOOM!
"Sir the car has hit the train." The messenger replied.
"Excellent that is a problem solved." He said then a loud series of booms and bangs rang out across the valley.
Red Paw moved to the front and used binoculars his eyes bulged at seeing the enemy train was fine. A mangled cowcatcher was the main damage and he saw the bomb car, or what was left of it had been split into life a hot knife through butter.
"Bastards! Their ram took the blow and even split the flatbed apart!" Then he saw the soldiers charging were being cut down. "What could be causing this!" He yelled.
"Sir look at the front of their line!" One of the soldiers said. The general looked to see a biped with fur, tail and cat ears. He was cutting through the enemy with his unknown rifle.
"What the fuck is a Purrsian doing here! They're neutral!" General Red Paw shouted. "I want every gun to fire on those men!" Red paw finished.
"What about the train-" A soldier tried to say but was suddenly interrupted.
Forget that! That filthy butcher must die. Order all guns to fire on that Purrsian!" Red Paw declared as his guns roared.
Ravage heard the loud guns as shells began to streak towards him.
"get down!" Ravage called and all the men hunkered down in the trench line. Saddle Arabians were sent flying from the artillery strikes. "Now's our chance target the artillery cars!" Ravage called and the guns roared their retaliation. The enemy could hit the trench, but the Alamo City could easily hit the enemy from out of enemy range. The smaller train was firing machine guns at the trench. Other artillery fired and the Ursa minor was badly damaged. They decided to retreat the Minor when fire billowed from the cars.
"Sir! The Ursa Minor is in retreat and our artillery cars are being picked off one by one.!" A soldier called. Red paw walked to the controls and set the engine to accelerate forward into the enemy line and the pressure to expand past limits. "Sir you kill us all!"
"The defense of the homeland is more important you fool. This train must die!" Red Paw roared as the train started its headlong rush at the enemy train.
The soldiers of Alamo City opened fire on the runaway train. the armored cars took multiple blows from the guns. One final shot from the 20 inch turret and the thing was gone in a smoldering pile of steel. With one move the Alamo city moved forward and shoved the former war train out of the way.
"Retreat! Retreat!" came calls from enemy officers as the enemy tried to run, but the guns from the trenches refused to let them leave. The enemy was cut down in the thousands. The enemy took eighty percent casualties in the battle to retake Ur.
"Keep up the advantage, Forward!" Ravage called and the army charged forward to gain ground. The enemy was overwhelmed in encirclement attacks. The enemy struck back, but did nothing except slow the advance. Ater two weeks, the enemy was left on the fringes of their former claims. However, they all stopped just when the enemy could be taken out with a message from the royal court.
"Field Marshal. I'm afraid you must deal with further movements on your own." Ravage said to Suleiman.
"What caused this?" Suleiman asked.
"Orders form his highness. We are to mobilize into Neighgypt. Apparently, the army is on the back foot their and we must go strengthen that front." Ravage said.
"Actually I have a request and reward for you on the pass down south. I want you to deliver these letters to my family. Normally, I would just use the mail train, but you are faster and already here." Suleiman said. "If you do this I will grant you one favor within my power in exchange." He continued.
"Of course Field Marshal. I will take this mail personally to your family." Ravage pocketed the mail as the train set out. Little did he know how important this meeting would be for himself and his future.
"A Purrsian leading those filthy horses!" Field Marshal Pol said. He was in charge of the theater and was furious to hear about Ur.
"Yes sir. That's what the report said, but he isn't entirely Purrsian. He is like a hybrid of those creatures he leads." A messenger said.
"This si something I cannot stand! Tell our soldiers to march in and demand the Purrsians cease helping the enemy.
"Actually sir. Their is a civil war between Ursa supporters and the monarchy." the messenger replied.
"Excellent. Send our troops in. They must pay for bringing a Purrsian commander to the enemy!" Pol said. The messenger saluted and left.
This was the next crack that would come to crumble the Usuri Union...once and for all.
Battleship Alamo City: A Battleship Express Side Story
It took the the rest of the week to arrive in Ride. Some delays such as refueling, ammo resupply and even one group of nomadic camel people crossing the line. This meant that the Alamo City crew had been in Saddle Arabia for 44 days now. Neighgypt had agreed to be allies when their ambassador made it to King Saddle with the help of Major Blood acting as a third party negotiator. The Neighgyptians promised a defensive pact after the war in exchange for assistance against the Cobra. Word was floating about of a revolution against the Purrsian monarchy by radicalists who believed the same communist ideals of the Usuri Union.
Ride was in a state of joy when they saw Alamo City roll into the yards. The soldiers stepped off the train to Arabians cheering the crew for the progress that had been made. This made it difficult for everyone to get places with all the praise. Ravage managed to break away from the crowds and when to the palace.
King Saddle and his wife were sitting in the throne room. Major Blood was talking to them from his wheelchair.
"Captain Ravage just messaged that the crew is in the city. Apparently, the locals are slowing his arrival." Blood said.
"Well our crew's reputation is held highly among my people. It will hopefully not take him too long." King Saddle replied.
"They should be fine darling." Queen Cantle said. Then a guard opened the door to reveal Ravage.
"Greetings your majesties and how are you Major?" Ravage said saluting his commander.
"I'm fine Captain." blood replied as the two shook hands.
"Pleasure to see you again captain Ravage. Reports from Suleiman say you helped make great gains in the Fertile Valley." King Saddle said.
"Yes your highness. We were told though that we were needed back south. What is the status their?" Ravage asked.
"The enemy are attacking the lines at night and since we haven't really mastered that warfare, they are reaching the Old Capital of Neighgypt during its unification. This means the Cobra Kingdoms occupy the lower half of their empire." Queen Cantle replied.
"I see...oh, I have mail to deliver personally to Suleiman's family. I promised him to deliver it myself." Ravage said pulling the letters out of his uniform.
"That was kind of you. His home is a short walk away from here. His wife would be very happy to here that he is doing alright." King Saddle replied. Ravage saluted and departed.
To describe he home of Suleiman extravagant would be correct. the gate into the manor was made of solid iron with the walls of white washed stone. A banner with his family name, and crest hung from the central window. Ravage knocked on the gate.
"Hello? Mail delivery!" Ravage called. A woman came to the gate and his eyes popped wide. She was tall, slender and wore immaculate silken robes. Her hair was a nice brown that fell to her shoulders and was braided.
"Who are you?" The girl asked.
"Um..sorry Captain Ravage of Alamo City. Who might you be?" He replied.
"Oh umm...Ashoka(A sho Ka) Daughter of Suleiman." Ashoka replied.
"May I come in. I have letters from the front. I worked under your father while up north he told me to deliver these." Ravage said pulling out the letters. Ashoka looked Ravage up and down for a moment.
"Yes of course. Come in." She said opening the gate. Ravage stare at her for a moment before blinking and getting his mind back on track. The two arrived in the living room where Ashoka's mother was sitting.
"Hello there madam. I bring messages from your husband." Ravage said putting the letters down on the table. The lady picked up the letters and opened them. Her eyes glistened slightly at reading them.
"Thank you kindly sir..." The mother replied.
"Captain Ravage madam of Alamo City. I served under your husband while up north. Great Field Marshal he is." Ravage said.
"Oh so you are the one who runs the Metal Goliath?" Ashoka asked.
"Second in command. My commander is currently here for medical treatment and consultant on military affairs." Ravage replied.
"I didn't know they had a Purrsian." Her mother said.
"Oh this. This is a bit of genetic experimenting. I..don't want to talk too much about it." Ravage said his voicing dying near the end.
"Well you are a kind soldier for bringing letters from my father." Ashoka said to break the sadness in the air.
"Thank you. You are both good people. I hope we can know each other better." Ravage said standing up.
"Well let me show you out Captain Ravage." Ashoka replied standing up and walking towards the gate. " I hope we meet again Captain Ravage." She said as he left the manor.
The men all woke up to the rising sun and the train was getting ready to depart. The civilians waved the crew and some even tossed flowers to the soldiers as they waved out the window.
"To the Metal Goliath!" One called
"To Alamo City!" Another said.
"Death to Those Brutes!" Other cried. It made leaving for the front all the more difficult.
The Kasbah pulled out behind them It even had small arms weapons to defend itself now just in case. It had gone from a simply cargo hauler to an armed train. It didn't have the guns of Alamo City, but it had one cannon and machine guns on the roofs of the cars for extra protection.
As Captain Ravage sat in the command car, he couldn't stop thinking about that woman Ashoka. His whole life he had felt something odd whenever he pictured her, but he couldn't understand what it was.. His past and his military career didn't really help either since he didn't really talk to many other women, but to see this girl.. was something else.
Little did he know, she thought very much the same. Her whole life was pretty typical until the war and this man had come into her life.What had originally been a simply messenger run felt different. Might it become...something more?.
