To Steal a Secret

10.45---17th-November-1014
Sun Marble gallops on his way towards a large industrial door within a jungle facility. On it, is written in yellow, Storage Bay 3. A green unicorn chased after him, levitating a report regarding Project Pearl. He eventually took the lead and guides the colonel towards the back. There, his eyes widen in glee as he looks over several vehicle covered in grey tarp.

He summoned the mechanics and technician. Till the night, they worked. Throwing heavy steel away in favour of lighter aluminium frame. Weapons are dismantled, as they do not intend to fight. Over twenty engineers worked to the project, eventually they towed their brainchild outside. There, a transport aircraft roars its engine, taking off with the colonel and the several boxes of crate.

12.03---17th-November-1014
In the skies above neutral Yakyakistan, three Halifaxes flew just over seven kilometres, near their service ceiling. The lead vehicle, carries two dozen New Marelandians paratrooper while the two tails carry supplies.

The heavy cloud hinders their vision. All crew and pilots pinch their eyes for a beacon that never appears. A decision is made, they'll circle around while dropping their height. They discuss it for a minute, as they were briefed to not fall below angels seven unless mission is compromised.

Going just below two kilometres, the clouds finally clears. A red light shines upon the land on an empty field near the Yaket range. They flew close, signalling for the trooper to prepare for a drop.

Inside the bay, the light turns red. Major Rapid "The Phantom Major" Stirring rose along his squad mates. In front, a pegasus opens the door. The light blares green and the first paratrooper threw himself towards the freezing empyrean. Then the second follows, then the third, and fourth, and so on. Being the last to jump, he looks over the pegasus and shouts, "Thanks for the ride!" before himself jumping out.

Within a few long minutes, all the commandos are on the ground. They regrouped before heading towards the cargo drop. The snow is chest deep as they waddle their way on to the drop locus. They arrived as a snow storm begins to form; the team looked up to realize they had dropped just in time before the window had closed.

The platoon unloads the materials. They read the instruction provided within the boxes. Small iron hull covers a crystal based engine, while an interchangeable wheel and skiing track is placed underneath. Dozens of crystal batteries, unstable and expensive yet silent in their operation, are plugged into the engine aperture. They attached the propeller on to the back, meekly connected by wiring with the engine. Food and water are placed on the seat behind them.

Hours passed, as the platoon of twenty-four climbs the mountain. With them are eleven RF-B aerosan. Each unit is able to hold three individual. Most of the parts had been scrapped to save weight, such as the machine gun and armour belt. The engine had been modified on the last minute, sections of it are hastily removed or retrofitted to be lighter with newer materials.

It doesn't take long before the first flaw of the prototype shows itself. Two had combusted into flames, following an explosion by their unstable crystal batteries. Not long after, one more would be abandoned, following an engine failure. During a dangerous narrow pass, one of the vehicle suddenly surged in power. The crew, losing control, fell towards their snowy death below.

When they had arrived at the Thoraxian base, an inspection was made, they found faults and damages within the vehicles. Having no spare part to work with, they dismantled two of the vehicle to repair the rest. The remaining were hauled as spare part for the mission ahead, occupying the seats. Similarly, they had lost a good chunk of their food on the last vehicle.

Realizing the intense reliability issues plaguing their automobile, Major Stirring request five volunteers to follow him on the mission ahead. With only six vehicles, he wishes not to leave anyone on the enemy's mercy. The rest would stay behind.

When they finally enter the lowland of the cold changeling land. Snow covers the landscape as far as the eye could see. As the sun rises over the horizon, he marks the date, 19th November 1014.

The major now hopes that he is not too late.