Inquisitor's Promise (Act Two, Chapter Twelve)
Aeneas has to keep his promises. His father's mission will be completed. And while he's at it, he will become Galatea's lord and Inquisitor. But love and politics are an explosive combination.
Chapter Twelve: Welcome to Texarkana
Lord Aeneas, I am pleased to inform you that my operation was a success. I am able to walk now. My dream of being your knight is one step closer. I hope to see you soon.
Those words were from a letter that Aeneas had received from his beloved Galatea. The Inquisitor couldn’t help but smile as he read it. Whether it was her beautiful handwriting or the fact that his promise was getting closer to being realized, it mattered not.
“What are you reading, Aeneas?” Pep asked.
Aeneas yelped as he hid the letter behind him. He inwardly kicked himself as he realized how silly he must have looked to the Lektros. Aeneas briefly considered telling Pep that it was nothing but realized that it would be unbecoming for an Inquisitor to lie.
“A letter,” Aeneas said curtly, hoping that Pep would leave him alone.
“From family? I recall that your parents are deceased.”
So much for that.
“No.”
“But you looked really happy when you read it. Is it a girl?”
Aeneas gritted his teeth, so embarrassing. But he had no choice.
“Yes.”
Pep guffawed in response, perhaps the loudest laugh that Aeneas had ever heard.
“Oho,” the Lektros said knowingly. “Now everything makes sense!”
With Aeneas not saying anything in response, Pep continued on.
“Why are you doing this? Surely you can leave the situation be, you are not responsible for this.”
“And that’s where you’re wrong, Pep,” Aeneas said as he shook his head. “I am responsible for this!”
Pep raised his eyes in puzzlement at this declaration. “So much so that you will play matchmaker just to fix it?”
“Yes.”
“She must be quite the woman for you to go through this trouble,” Pep commented.
And that was the extent of that conversation. Aeneas, for his part, was glad that he could finally reveal his hand to someone else.
At this point, the Lepanto had returned back to Earth. Upon receiving a request for help from Princess Omaha, Aeneas wished to go to Texarkana as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, Nikolai was unable to accompany Aeneas. Having a mission of his own, the Tsar returned back home to Slavia. The Inquisitor was sad to see him go, given how important he and his Tsarguards had been in the victory against Koke Kula. But Aeneas believed that they would see each other once more.
For now, the Inquisitor simply had to make do with what he had; they should be sufficient to assist Princess Omaha and the Texarkana Imperium. Pep joining the crew of the Lepanto, in Aeneas’ estimations, should be enough to ameliorate the loss of Tsar Nikolai’s contingent. The might of the Archon of the Lektros should be clear for all to see.
In addition, Pep brought with him a pack of energy beasts known as the lyonesse. These creatures reminded Aeneas of the lions on Earth. Four in number, these colorful creatures came in red, white, and blue; just like the men of Lektros. The leader of the pack was a large maned red lyonesse; the rest were smaller and without mane, they consist of one white lyonesse and two blue ones. Thankfully, there was more than enough space in the Lepanto to safely house these creatures.
Wasting little time, Aeneas and the Lepanto made a beeline towards Texarkana in the northern Amerigo region. As an Inquisitor and thus a representative of the Church, Aeneas had the privilege to go where he pleased in the Holy League. As the Captain General of the Church, the same privilege was extended to his army. But out of courtesy, he informed the Imperial High Command in Texarkana of his arrival.
So far so good for Aeneas until he heard an explosion followed by a violent shaking upon his ship.
“What’s going on? Admiral!” Aeneas demanded over his nav-comm.
“One of our engines was shot, Lord Inquisitor,” ship captain Mario Riva answered. “We have to make an emergency landing.”
Aeneas frowned as he heard this. He had not expected his ship to be shot down in Imperial territory of all places. Then again, perhaps it was the most dangerous place to fly an airship given the ongoing revolt.
Thankfully for Aeneas and his army, the Lepanto was able so safely land. His first order was to set up a defensive perimeter. Whoever had fired the shot might be nearby.
Shaka was the first to step out of the Lepanto. He was able to determine that the area was safe, at least for the moment.
The other soldiers followed suit. Barricades were hastily built to prepare for any possible attack.
Finally, a perimeter energy shield was set up. Most perimeter energy shield generators were shaped like a white box. But for the Lepanto, it was generated directly from the ship’s engine. Regardless, the device was used to extend the protection of an energy shield to the entirety of the Lepanto and its surroundings.
With the perimeter secure, Aeneas sent Shaka further out for scouting.
As Aeneas stepped out of the ship himself, he could see a towering hive city far on the horizon. The Imperial Capital of Texarkana, no mistaking it. If it wasn’t for the curvature of the Earth, he would be able to see its surroundings. Instead, there were plains and hills as far as the eyes could see for Aeneas. Although occasional small cities and villages were spotted.
Judging by the Lepanto’s flight trajectory, they should be somewhere northeast of Texarkana.
“What’s the next step, Aeneas?”
It was Lavinia who asked the question. Having been inside of the Lepanto thus far, she stepped out to talk to her cousin.
“We’re contacting the Imperial High Command. Hopefully we can get their help. But for now, we’re just fixing the damaged engine so we can get back to the sky,” Aeneas said.
“You know, I would be great help with my swarm,” Lavinia pointed out.
“I know you will,” Aeneas responded in an irenic tone. “But we can’t scare the locals, Vinia. Your swarmlings will have to stay inside.”
But Lavinia was not happy, and she waved her arms in anger. “They’re always scared of us. But aren’t we all Christians? Aren’t we all of the Church?”
Aeneas raised his arms to Lavinia in an attempt to calm her down. “Now is not the time for this, Vinia,”
“It never is, Aeneas.”
Thankfully for Aeneas, their conversation was cut short as his nav-comm beeped. Shaka had called for him.
“Sir, we have hostiles approaching. Forces much larger than ours,” the pathfinder informed.
“Must be the rebels that Princess Omaha had talked about,” Aeneas said before dismissing Shaka.
As the Inquisitor turned, he saw Lavinia giving him a smug look. Aeneas knew what exactly was in her mind.
“Fine,” Aeneas conceded. “You can bring out your swarm.”
And so, Aeneas’ army prepared for battle and took their positions at the barricades and other places.
Although Aeneas had told Lavinia that she could bring out her swarm, he had told her to keep them inside the ship for the moment. This made sense given that the pacifican swarmlings had been given much of the ship’s stern with its own specialized entrance. Because of this, Aeneas had ordered Lavinia to hold her swarm in reserve until the right time.
The Army of Aeneas held their position within the barricades as the rebel army descended upon them.
Unlike Aeneas’ soldiers who fought with the phalanx formation, the Imperial army fought with their manipular formation. The former focused on maintaining a defensive stance with shields, the latter were more flexible and put more emphasis on mobility and firepower.
Rebel soldiers swarmed the Lepanto’s barricades. Armed with their rifles, they started to shoot. But Aeneas’ soldiers held strong behind their shields.
Behind Aeneas’ line was Pep. Despite his powers, Aeneas had expressly ordered the Lektros Archon to stay behind the lines. This suited Pep just fine as he was able to jump high to the sky and rain down bolts of lightning on the rebel soldiers.
But the rebels brought in their combat vehicles. A small tank rushed into the barricades. With its shot, it was able to blast an opening amongst Aeneas’ line. Knowing that his troops were outmatched, Aeneas ordered them to fall back.
But this was no panicked retreat.
The soldiers at the back, including Pep, was able to provide covering fire for the retreating troops. Before long, the reserves at the back were able to fill in the line.
Once more, Aeneas’ troops held strong.
Meanwhile, rebels’ small tank fired once more but Pep was able to protect the troops with his electrical shields.
Standing behind his line, Aeneas’ looked towards his nav-comm. He knew that his forces had been pushed right to the entrance of the Lepanto. But this was all part of his plan.
Aeneas called for his cousin with his nav-comm.
“Lavinia, it’s time.”
And with that, the Lavinia’s pacifican forces swarmed out of the Lepanto’s alternate entrance. It did not take long for the swarm to flank the rebel army.
Lavinia charged in with her swarmlings. Soon, the rebels and the swarm were in melee with one another. Being armed mostly with ranged weapons, the rebels found themselves at a disadvantage.
One rebel soldier spotted Lavinia. He aimed his weapon at her, ready to shoot. But Lavinia knew exactly what was going on. And the soldier soon found himself impaled at the back by the claws of a swarmling.
Seeing his opportunity, Aeneas commanded his troops to charge at the rebel position. Aeneas bashed one rebel soldier with his shield, his other soldiers followed suit.
The rebel tank was ready to shoot at Aeneas’ position. But Pep shot the tank with his strongest charged electrical beam, causing the tank to explode.
Before long, what remained of the rebel strike force retreated in panic; the rest surrendered to Aeneas and his soldiers.
“Should we pursue them, Aeneas?” Lavinia asked.
But before Aeneas could answer that question, a thundering explosion was heard close to them. Too close.
“Artillery fire!” Aeneas cried. “Everyone, fall back behind the perimeter shield!”
And so, everyone retreated back to safety. The artillery continued to bombard the Lepanto, though the perimeter energy shield continued to deflect it. But the continued safety of the Inquisitor’s army was in doubt.
“Aeneas, I don’t think the shields are going to last for too long,” Lavinia pointed out.
“I know, Lavinia,” Aeneas said. “We need to act quickly. We have to disable that artillery. Thankfully, Shaka managed to locate its position.”
“You mean we’re launching a sortie?” Lavinia asked incredulously “Do we even have the manpower?”
As if on cue, Aeneas’ nav-comm beeped once more.
“Captain!”
“Giulia!” Aeneas greeted. “How was the wounded?”
“They’re fine, but never mind that!” Giulia said. “We’ve detected an army moving towards the artillery position Shaka had discovered.”
“Could that be the Imperial Army?” Aeneas wondered.
“Has to be,” Lavinia answered.
“But wait,” Aeneas said, realizing that something was odd. “Why are you the one telling me this? Shouldn’t Admiral Riva be the one giving me this information?”
“I,” Giulia stammered. “I want to check up on you, Captain.”
Aeneas grinned when he heard her answer. “Me or Pep?”
“Do not ask such a ridiculous question!” Giulia snapped before she cut off the call.
If the situation was not dire, Aeneas would have laughed at the Venetian Lieutenant’s antics. Meanwhile, Lavinia shook her head in annoyance.
“I take it, we launch the sortie,” Lavinia interjected. “But how do we get that Imperial army to help us?”
“I might have just the thing,” Aeneas answered. “Get your swarm ready, I’ll get Pep.”
Aeneas’ sortie needed mobility. And thus, he left behind his phalanx soldiers at the Lepanto. All he needed was Lavinia’s swarm and Pep.
With the use of the Lepanto’s transport aircraft, Aeneas’ party made their way to the location that had been pinpointed by Shaka; they flew most of their way and walked the last Imperial mile. Fortunately, they were able to elude detection. Most of the rebel patrols were avoided completely, others were thrown off by the lyonesse pack that Pep had brought with him.
Upon reaching the artillery camp, Aeneas met up with Shaka who had kept himself hidden at the nearby woods.
At the moment, they were at a spot just above the camp. Given the lay of the land, it was clear that the camp’s location was chosen because it was surrounded by high ground that prevented it from being surrounded by the enemy. Ironic that the place that were used to protect the artillery from a quick offensive was now being used to keep those attacking it hidden.
“Here’s the plan,” Aeneas said to his group. “Lavinia, you and your swarm will go with me and assault the camp.”
“Got it, Aeneas.”
Aeneas then turned his attention elsewhere. “Shaka, you stay up here and take out the officers when the battle starts.”
“Yes, sir.”
“What about me?” Pep asked.
“You leave camp, and launch your strongest electric blast to the sky,” Aeneas answered.
“Excuse of me?” Pep said in confusion. “How does that even work? Wouldn’t you be giving us away and the element of surprise?”
“Trust me on this one, Pep.”
Pep looked unhappy, yet he relented. “Whatever.”
Thus, Pep quietly left the vicinity of the artillery camp. Then, he launched his strongest electric blast to the sky.
Alarmed, rebel soldiers rushed outside, and discovered Pep running for cover. The soldiers opened fire, forcing Pep to generate an electric shield to protect himself.
Upon hearing the noise from afar, Aeneas knew that this was his cue. “It’s time, Lavinia.”
“Right.”
Having kept themselves hidden in the woods or in the puddles, Lavinia’s swarmlings popped out of their hiding places and began to attack the rebel camp.
Both Aeneas and Lavinia dropped down to the camp and began engaging the enemy. Aeneas’ activated his turret and began to shoot at the rebels. Meanwhile, Lavinia directed her swarm deep inside the camp.
One rebel soldier took out his sword and began to charge at Lavinia, but he was shot down by Aeneas.
A war truck with a turret at its back rolled into the battlefield. The man at the turret opened fire on the swarmlings and Aeneas. Aeneas hunkered down, pinned down by the turret’s suppressive fire. But Shaka had Aeneas covered as he shot the man behind the turret.
The battle was going well for Aeneas, but the Inquisitor knew that it was far from over.
Aeneas saw Pep running to his side. The Lektros Archon was flanked by his pack of lyonesse.
“What’s wrong, Pep?”
“More rebels, Aeneas,” the Lektros man declared. “Heading this way.”
By this time, the artillery camp had been cleared out. But Aeneas grimaced as he saw the rebel army approaching his position.
It did not take long for Aeneas, Lavinia, and Pep to come face-to-face with a full-on army. And this time, they didn’t have a good defensible position.
“Run away, Aeneas. I’ll keep them busy,” Lavinia said somberly.
Aeneas looked at Lavinia in disbelief. “I’m not leaving you behind, Vinia!”
“You have to,” Lavinia responded. “You can go on without me, but the Holy League needs you!”
Aeneas found himself with a difficult decision. After all, Lavinia had always been with him for as long as he could remember.
Fortunately, the Inquisitor was spared of that terrible decision. An explosion engulfed the rebel army. Up in the sky was a bomber plane, an Imperial bomber no doubt.
“Fall back,” Aeneas shouted, not wanting his group to get caught in the crossfire.
A battle broke out between two factions of the Imperial Army. Both sides were shooting at one another.
Aeneas spotted a large tank, the largest he’d ever seen. Its cannon at the center extended far ahead its body. Atop the tank itself was a soldier with a machine gun. But that wasn’t the only machine gun that the tank had; two additional machine guns were attached on the sides. The Inquisitor did not consider himself to be military equipment connoisseur, but he recognized an Imperial Stonewall-class Tank when he saw one.
The tank fired one shot at a group of rebel soldiers and blew them up. That was enough to send the remaining rebel forces retreating.
With the battle won, one soldier approached Aeneas. The man had a full helmet on, preventing the Inquisitor from seeing his face. It was clear that he was a high ranking officer based on his uniform.
“Inquisitor Aquilanus?”
“That’s me.”
“I am Captain Jack Paxton, pleased to meet you,” the soldier said as he extended his hand to Aeneas. “We saw your your signal,” he said, referring to Pep’s electric blast to the sky. “Glad we made it on time.”
Aeneas shook the Imperial’s hand. “Thank you for your assistance, Captain Paxton.”
But Paxton shook his head. “It is no problem, Inquisitor. I was simply following orders.”
The Inquisitor nodded in acknowledgement. “Credit to your commander then, Captain. Please give him my regards.”
Paxton chuckled in response. “My commander’s right there, though I believe you mean to say give her my regards.”
“Her?”
Soon enough, the Stonewall Tank opened its top. A figure came out, Princess Omaha of Texarkana.
Aeneas stared dumbly at the Imperial Princess. Omaha certainly looked different in a military uniform. But it fit her character in so many ways. Unlike the practical green of Giulia’s uniform, Omaha’s uniform was a red ornate coat with a blue diagonal stripe across her chest; it was more at home in a parade than the field of battle.
Quickly catching himself, Aeneas knelt down in respect. As did everyone else in the general vicinity. The exception was Pep, who read the room and quickly followed suit.
“At ease, Sir Inquisitor,” Omaha said softly. She then turned to Paxton. “You too, Captain.”
The princess then stepped forward towards Aeneas. She gave the Inquisitor a curtsy and a smile.
“Greetings,” Omaha said. “I apologize for the rough welcome. As you can see, we’ve had to deal with some rebel scum since your father’s death.”
Aeneas shook his head. “Think nothing of it, Your Highness. Thank you for the rescue.”
Princess Omaha said nothing as she reached out her hand to Aeneas. The Inquisitor took the princess’ hand and kissed it.
“We have much to discuss, Sir Inquisitor.”